Reference no: EM133031737

Developing better political leaders: The case for a school of government by Paul G. Thomas

Pre-reading

1. What are your expectations of politicians today? Do you believe that the nature of the polit­ ical process or the qualities of politicians need to change? How could this be done? Reflect on these and other relevant questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1. Explain in your own words what the author means by "It has been said that politicians campaign in poetry and govern in prose" (paragraph 3).

Question 2. What is Thomas referring to when he follows the quotation by Robert Louis Stevenson by the state­ ment "This is wrong"? Summarize paragraph 6, where this statement occurs.

Question 3. Unlike many non-academic essays, Thomas's essay does not include a clear thesis in the first few para­ graphs. Do you think this absence detracts from the essay or the writer's credibility, or is it clear what the writer will be arguing-even without a thesis? Do you think it is a better essay without a thesis statement? Explain your answer by specific textual references.

Question 4. In paragraph 10, Thomas discusses the goals of a school for politicians: (a) summarize these goals in 50-60 words; (b) identify which goal you believe is the most important one. Use critical thinking to sup­ port your points.

Question 5. Analyze the writer's organization in the section «A School of Government for Politicians." You could consider the order of points, paragraph develop­ ment and coherence, and use of other organizational strategies.

Question 6. Find at least one example of each of the following argumentative strategies (see chapter 9, p. 114) and explain its use in the selected passage: a) concession; b) precedent; c) emotional or ethical appeal.

Post-reading

1. Respond to one of the following statements, using critical thinking to analyze its validity: (a) "Along with over promising and underdelivering, politicians have shown little regard for the intelligence of voters and their potential to learn about complicated policy issues" (par. 2); (b) "...[Few politicians are lacking in terms of ego, confidence and ambition" (par. 13).

2. To be considered seriously by a reader, proposal argu­ ments need to be seen as both necessary (e.g., the proposal will address an important issue) and feasi­ ble (i.e., practical and realistic). Write an analysis of Thomas's argument in which you consider both these requirements.

Attachment:- Developing better political leaders.rar