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TRANSCRIPT
Hutchison 1
Greer Hutchison
Mrs. Miller
AP Language
August 30, 2013
Component 1: Thank You for Arguing Persuasion in Action Project
Thank You for Arguing by Jay Heinriches is a novel that gives you the inside scoop as to
how to form a credible argument by using the art of persuasion. Throughout the summer, I was
able to put some of the techniques I learned into action. One of the techniques that I found rather
doable was the first “Try This” activity presented in the book in chapter one. When I was at
Starbucks with my brother, we both ordered our separate drinks that we both believed we had a
taste for at the time. He ordered a “Grande iced mocha” as I ordered a “Grande black iced tea
lemonade”. We then scampered on over to a table in order to sit and satisfy our taste buds. The
following is the dialog to what happened next.
“I just remembered something.” My brother Raymond said after he took a sip of his
coffee with a disappointed expression.
“What’s wrong?” I inquired.
“I don’t like Starbucks coffee” He stated.
Feeling bad that his expectations weren’t met, I allowed him a sip of my tea.
“Do you like it?” I questioned, preparing to offer a trade if the answer was yes.
Hutchison 2
“No…” He said with a hesitant linger to contradict his statement.
I then went on to give him my drink, but being the people pleaser he is, he refused to allow me to
willingly give up my beverage to make him happy. Then again, being the person I am, I didn’t
mind switching drinks, nor did I want him to be disappointed. With that said, I decided to see if I
could put my new persuasive knowledge to good use.
“I’ve never actually ordered this before you know? I don’t really think I like it.” I said
deceitfully. “What would you say if I wanted your drink? I haven’t had coffee yet today and I’m
really tired.”
“Then what would you do with your drink if you take mine? He questioned hoping for
the answer I was ready to give him.
“Well, I suppose you could have it, if you like it better than your drink that is!” discreetly
indicating that he should take it.
The plan to use rhetorical jujitsu was definitely beneficial when trying to convince my
stubborn brother of anything. He then snatched my drink from right out in front of me with a grin
rising from cheek to cheek. Instead of trying to convince him to stop lying to himself and take
what was offered to him, I switched the roles and made it seem as if I wanted his drink. In the
end I was happy with my mocha and even happier that my brother was happy. I plan to use this
technique much more often on him.
In chapter eleven on page 111, the “Try This” situation suggests that “It is better to
employ your opponents language than to deny it.” In other words, it proposes that you throw
Hutchison 3
your opponent a bone as opposed to setting a negative tone for the argument that is to follow. I
frequently have these kinds of arguments with many people. One person in particular that I used
this technique on is my Mom. As you may have concluded from my previous dialogue, I am not
against a good cup of coffee. In fact, I thrive on coffee. At home, my Mother insists on buying
Folgers Breakfast Blend to make in our old coffee pot. In my opinion, every time I drink it, it
gets worse and worse. I thought of trying to get her to simply switching to a Keurig coffee maker
but she had previously said it would be too expensive. I thought about it quite a bit and came
back to her ready to give every bit of evidence in order to persuade her in my direction.
“Mom, may we have a talk? I have a proposal for you” said in my most mature and
confident tone.
“Uh-oh, what do you want” Mother replied in a playful yet serious attitude.
“I think that we should discuss getting a Keurig coffee maker, and I have various reasons
as to why we should” I again stated with confidence.
“Alright, let’s hear it.” She says with an expression of doubt.
“As you know, I constantly complain about the coffee you buy but you say that this way
of making coffee is easier and cheaper. Well, I have reason to believe that this is not true and a
way to fix all the problems we may have when it comes to our coffee needs. First of all, since we
like different kinds of coffee, this machine allows us to make the brands we like without forcing
ones we don’t on one another. With the current coffee pot we have, we also can never make the
right amount that we will have enough for the both of us without having to leave a bunch behind
Hutchison 4
that we never drink. If we add up the price of the coffee we end up actually not drinking, it
would probably end up being more expensive than investing in this machine that makes one cup
of coffee at a time.” I argued.
“But what about when we have company over? It will take so much longer to get
everyone coffee.” She said thinking she had put my argument at rest.
“I understand where you would think that, but here is the thing. If we have a few guests
over for company, take Mike’s parents (my stepdad’s parents) as an example. As long as
someone, such as myself, is standing there interchanging the single cups of coffee, it won’t take
very much longer to make the individual cups than the big pot. With the big pot it took about ten
to fifteen minutes to brew while the Keurig only takes about thirty seconds per cup. That would
be approximately three minutes to make six cups of coffee. When making coffee this way, we
can also have regular coffee for those who want regular and decaf for those who want decaf
without forcing someone to compromise. We will not be wasting any extra coffee that has to be
poured out because we overestimated the amount of coffee everyone would want as well.” I said
proud of how things were going.
“We have a bunch of containers of coffee around the house that I would be wasting if we
got this machine. Your plan was not thought out that far.” She assumed
I followed with, “I can see why you would think that but one thing that I don’t think you
know about this coffee maker is that it comes with a little cup and filter that you can put the
coffee you already have around the house and brew it separately along with the cups with coffee
already in them that you get made specifically for the machine.”
Hutchison 5
“I didn’t know about that actually. That may change things now. I think I may look into
that.” My mother said to end this argument.
Using this technique I was able to convince my Mother to look into getting a Keurig
coffee maker. I didn’t disagree with her language to aggravate her. I kept calm and, like
Heinrichs said to, “employ her opinion”. No one yelled and everyone ended up with their voices
heard and needs met. This scenario was a success and I don’t think I’ve ever had such a calm and
productive argument.
Hutchison 6
Component 2: Book of Choice Vocabulary Analysis
“Running parallel to this pairing of essentialist and incremental conceptions is the
contrast between dispositional and situational causes of behavior.” (The Lucifer Effect 7)
Definition: Incremental, adj.
1) Increasingly or adding on, especially in a regular series
Analysis:
This sentence itself is a contradiction. It is written as so for us to see how backwards and
contradicting our ways of thinking are. The word incremental is used in order to display the
inconsistency in our observations of other’s behavior. We regularly continue to misconceive the
basic characteristics of others that we don’t understand.
“In a kind of ‘lucid dream’, where one is aware of being an actor in a dream while
still dreaming, I envision that word of this of this incident gets back to the guards.” (The
Lucifer Effect 153)
Definition: Lucid, adj.
1) Readily understood; clear
2) Shining or glowing
3) Psychiatry of or relating to a period of normality between periods of insane or
irresponsible behavior
Hutchison 7
Analysis:
I chose this sentence because when I saw this word “lucid” I didn’t know what it meant
and I was curious. This word kind of makes the sentence because it is describing the dream that
he was having and how scary it felt to him because it seemed so real. It brought upon that weird
feeling you get when you know you’re having a dream but you can’t wake up. Describing the
dream as “lucid” showed us as to why he would think the guards would be curious to find out.
They were looking for something to occupy their time and maintain order to the crazies in the
jail, as stated after this sentence.
“The banality of heroism means that we are all heroes in waiting” (The Lucifer Effect
488)
Definition: Banality, noun.
1) The condition or quality of being banal, or devoid of freshness or originality
Analysis:
Without this word in the sentence, you are totally unclear to what exactly they are
referring to. By describing unoriginal idea of heroism, or banality, is bring us to think about
how we all look to be heroes but do not act upon the thought. Instead, we sit around acting
as if we are going to stand up for what we feel is right when the time comes. In actuality, I
take this statement as a technical way of saying we are cowards who do not trust we
believe enough.
Hutchison 8
“Most of us have a tendency both to overestimate the importance of dispositional
qualities and to underestimate the importance of situational qualities when trying to
understand the causes of other people’s behavior” (The Lucifer Effect 8)
Hutchison 8
Definition: Dispositional, adj.
1) Nature, tendency, final settlement of a matter
Definition: Situational, adj.
1) Conditional, under the circumstances
Analysis:
I was instantly intrigued by this sentence when I came across this page. It really
opened my eyes as to how we actually look at other’s who we hear did wrong. Instead of
searching for the real truth as to the reason behind what happened, we look to blaming
others and judging the book by its cover…which don’t they say not to do? I felt the need to
mention both of these words in my analysis because without them you couldn’t understand
the full point that Zambardo is accusing us to do. By looking just at the dispositional
qualities in people’s behavior, we can tend to misjudge and inaccurately accuse of wrong. If
we were to take the time to look at the situational evidence, we could see into the true
reason as to why the person does what they do. In that case, we would all make informed
and more credible points.
Hutchison 9
“For those suffering the mortal malady called cudipidas, whatever exists outside of
one’s self has worth only as it can be exploited by, or taken into one’s self” (The Lucifer
Effect 4)
Definition: Cupididas; noun
1) Avarice, greed, the strong desire for wealth or power over another.
Analysis:
The use of this word in the book is to describe Lucifer’s sin or “sin of the wolf”.
It was used to portray those in the Middle Ages as greedy selfish people that looked to
other’s selves and use them for selfish use. Rape and lust were examples of this because
they were using another to satisfy their own desire. This sentence was used in a sentence
to a paragraph going on about the ways that Satan can get under the skin of the human.
This being by forcing them to focus solely on themselves, they grow futher away from love
and harmony.
Hutchison 10
Component 3: Book of Choice Sentence Analysis
“‘Our ability to selectively engage and distinguish our moral standards…helps
explain how people can be barbarically cruel in one moment and compassionate the next’ -
Albert Bandura” (The Lucifer Effect 18)
Analysis:
This quote brings me back to when the difference between dispositional and
situational was brought to the table. Depending on the situation we are in, we choose which
moral code we choose to follow. When other’s opinions come into play, there is a possibility
that we allow their thoughts to overrule our own. No matter what the reason being, by
having the ability to alter our moral standards, we give proof to the fact that we can be
weak beings and really show why Satan tends to look to humans to pay his revenge.
“You are not the same person working alone as you are in a group; in a romantic
setting versus an educational one; when you are with close friends or in an anonymous
crowd; or when you are traveling abroad as when at home base.” (The Lucifer Effect 8)
Analysis:
Previously in the paragraph where this sentence above is pulled from, Zambardo
brings up how we think that our personality is consistent and always the same. He is
correct in saying that that is not true. There is a time and a place for everything and we
adjust ourselves accordingly. With that being said, if you are susceptible to simple changes
in personality for minor reasoning’s, who’s to say you cannot make a drastic change in
Hutchison 11
heart in a drastic situation? It is the introduction into his further argument that the most
unexpected person can make a turn for the worst that no one saw coming.
“The evil that persists in our midst must be countered, and eventually overcome, by
the greater good in the collective hearts, and personal heroic resolved of Everyman and
Everywoman.” (The Lucifer Effect 488)
Analysis:
For the most part, many of us hope to affect people in a positive way with our
personality, heart, caring acts and more. This sentence from The Lucifer Effect says no
matter what we do, evil will always be around us, haunting us everywhere we go. Being
human, we are prone to falling captive of sin. It also goes on to say that we must resist the
temptation to do wrong and to do bad. We are tasked with helping the world be the place
that it could be if we all stayed true to our moral code and because the heroes we claim to
be.
“No person is incapable of evil” (The Lucifer Effect 12)
Analysis:
This idea may incline to be very difficult for many to accept. You would never
assume the worst of a person who has shown you nothing but kindness in the past.
Zambaro is simply trying to bring us to accept that we as humans are all susceptible to
extreme wrong doing, there is not one type of person that ends up in jail or on the street,
that there is a chance for all of us to go down that road. I believe that no matter how
Hutchison 12
prevalent evil is in our society, as long as we keep a positive attitude on life, have a little
faith, and do our best to remain calm in tough times, we can escape the evil that will forever
attempt to possess us.
Component 4: Article Analysis
Article #1
http://www.judithbarr.com/PowerAbusedPowerHealed/pages/articles-
there.is.bully.in.us.htm (full PDF)
“There Is A Bully in All of Us!” By Judith Barr, September 15, 2010
Topic: Bullying
Who: Parents and Adolescence
What: Explaining how though it is very unfortunate that children get bullied, however, they
bully due to something from their past that is in a sense satisfied by bullying.
When: September 15, 2010
Where: USA
Why: Understand what bullying is and how rampant bullying is in our world.
Hutchison 13
The article “There Is a Bully in All of Us!” written by Judith Burr, attempts to explain
the reasoning behind why children my bully. She brings up the ideas that bullying intense
feelings for the victim and bestow so much worry in them that they are too afraid to ask for
help. She goes on to discuss how children that are considered “the bullies” more than likely
had some sort of event in their life occur that caused them to act out in this way. For
example, when a little boy is smacked around when he is a child when he cries for a need,
he will then proceed to grow up and put someone down over their needs or conflicts of
needs. This can be tied in to my book of choice “The Lucifer Effect” because the book also
draws upon how some even that occurred in someone’s life can eventually bring them to
their breaking point as they switch on over from good to bad and commit an evil act.
Article #2
http://nation.time.com/2013/08/30/teen-guilty-of-murdering-georgia-baby-in-stroller/
“Teen Guilty of Murdering Georgia Baby in Stroller” By AP/ Kate Brumback, August 30
2013
Topic: Murder of baby report
Who: Everyone
What: Reporting the brutal murder of a baby in Georgia.
When: August 30, 2013
Where: Marietta, Georgia
Hutchison 14
Why: To inform the world a violent and appalling incident
An eighteen year old man was accused of murdering a baby in a stroller in Georgia.
The fact that this was a hurtful and violent act, this is not the reason I chose this article. An
interesting fact about this trial is that the man’s mother, Karimah Elkins, was on trial along
with him because of an accusation of tampering with evidence and acquitted of lying to the
police. She was brought to commit an illegal and immoral act in an attempt to save her son
from a crime he commited himself. This relates back to my book of choice “The Lucifer
Effect” because it brings back the idea that no matter who you are, you will bend your back
over and surrender yourself to evil temptation if this situation sees fit. In this case, the
reasoning behind her eventual jail time, was to save her son.
Hutchison 15
Component 5: Reflection
By reading Thank You for Arguing by Jay Heinrichs, I was able to break down and
comprehend the key points and arguments presented in The Lucifer Effect. “No person is
incapable of evil.” This thought is a crucial statement that is brought up in The Lucifer Effect.
That declaration alone is one that any person could argue with in agreement or disagreement.
The author, Philip Zimbardo, gave several pieces of evidence to back up his accusations during
the course of this book, this statement included.
In Thank You for Arguing, we learn about Aristotle’s form of Rhetoric. This system of
argument is broken down into three branches including Ethos, a credible appeal, Logos, a logical
appeal, and Pathos, the emotional appeal. Rhetoric is a concept that is used to persuade others of
an opposite view to genuinely see you view point as correct. He goes on to teach us all the inside
secrets in “the arts of persuasion”. We learn how to appeal to various audiences, flip the script on
our listeners, use the proper tools in order to illustrate integrity, and all while leaving your
audience in awe with no other option but to agree with you.
In The Lucifer Effect (Understanding How Good People Turn Evil), Mr. Zambardo walks
us through his journey to prove to us that the title of his book is one that is very accurate. By
leading us though the hallways of the Stanford prison, the raping of the Tutsi people of Rwanda,
and many more taboo topics, the real stories of those whose evil acts were exposed to judgment
by ignorant onlookers are put under the microscope and dissected to reveal the meanings behind
why they committed these evil acts. We are forced to look past society’s perceptions of these
“evil” people and sink deep down to the core evidence that allows us to understand what can
Hutchison 16
drive us all a little mad. He explains how we as humans have the ability to do good and rescue
the world from their impulsive rushes of torment and anger that pushes us to malevolent acts.
The complex topics of The Lucifer Effect explored the idea of morality and Zimbardo’s
argument that one life altering act can challenge one’s beliefs and test their moral code. With
possessing the knowledge that was attained through reading Thank You for Arguing, it was easier
to grasp the message that Zimbardo was appealing to. Throughout first section of the book, he
uses Pathos, in order to grab our attention and get a taste as to why we should believe that we
could be provoked to go against our values and principles. In the core of the book, after grabbing
our attention, he proceeded to explain his in depth research proving credibility to his argument
by meeting with real people who have been subject to a turn for the worst. In the conclusion of
the book, he goes back to the emotional appeal in order to finally seal the deal as far as believing
that we are all susceptible to evil. Although at the end of the day we are fully aware of what is
wrong, we have to ask ourselves if we judge people too harshly for acting on their compulsions
as there may be a deeper reason for doing what they do when we know nothing of their inner
motive. Would you steal someone else’s innocents in an act of revenge for having yours taken
when you were young? How about avenge your family that was murdered? We all say that we
are not capable of placing hurt on others due to our moral code, but until we are put in that
situation, how could we know? By having us question our mind set at the beginning of the book,
it left our mind open to the idea throughout each and every argument. Towards the end of the
book, he had used so much evidence to back up his theory that even if you didn’t believe it
before, there was no way you could acknowledge that his argument was legitimate.
Hutchison 17
Between Thank You for Arguing and The Lucifer Effect I was able to put myself in the
mindset of the authors and really appreciate and recognize the ideas presented in these texts.
Without one or the other, I don’t believe that I would have as deep of an understanding as to the
art of persuasion.