AP English Language & Composition
Planning Sheet for DAQ #2 (Schopenhauer, Question 3 from 2006 Exam)
Task: Write a carefully reasoned essay that defends (agrees with) challenges (disagrees with) or qualifies (limits) one of Schopenhauer’s claims. Support your argument with appropriate evidence.
Schopenhauer’s Claims
1. “Reading forces thoughts upon the mind which are as foreign and heterogeneous to the bent and mood in which it may be for the moment, as the seal is to the wax in which it stamps its imprint” (lines 5-8).
In your own words, what does this mean?
2. “This is why much reading robs the mind of all elasticity; it is like keeping a spring under a continuous, heavy weight” (lines 19-21).
In your own words, what does this mean?
3. “This practice [reading] accounts for the fact that learning makes more men more stupid and foolish than they are by nature, and prevents their writings from being a success; they remain, as Pope has said, ‘Forever reading, never to be read’ “ (lines 24-28).
In your own words, what does this mean?
4. “Men of learning are those who have read the contents of books. Thinkers, geniuses, and those who have enlightened the world and furthered the race of men, are those who have made direct use of the book of the world” (lines 29-33).
In your own words, what does this mean?
Now…Choose one of the claims above – defend it (agree with it) challenge it (disagree with it) or qualify it (limit it) Write your thesis below:
Readings from this Unit (Potential Evidence for Defend/Attack/Qualify)
How would each of the following respond to Schopenhauer’s claims?
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read” - Francine Prose (p. 89)
“Education” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (p. 102)
“Superman and Me”- Sherman Alexie (p. 110)
“Best in Class” - Margaret Talbot (p. 113)
“School” – Kyoko Mori (p. 130)
“Against School” – John Gatto (handout)