Question

2. Selecting Evidence

In a literature essay, you are arguing your interpretation of a text. Therefore, you must offer your readers convincing evidence based on reasonable readings of words in the work itself. The acceptance of your views depends on your making yourself clear and convincing by directly quoting and interpreting specific language used in the text. You must establish credibility, maintain a reasonable tone, and avoid bias in the presentation of your evidence.
Directions: Read the poem, and then answer the questions.
The Fish
Marianne Moore — 1887–1972
wade
through black jade.
Of the crow-blue mussel-shells, one keeps
adjusting the ash-heaps;
opening and shutting itself like
an
injured fan.
The barnacles which encrust the side
of the wave, cannot hide
there for the submerged shafts of the
sun,
split like spun
glass, move themselves with spotlight swiftness
into the crevices—
in and out, illuminating
the
turquoise sea
of bodies. The water drives a wedge
of iron through the iron edge
of the cliff; whereupon the stars,
pink
rice-grains, ink-
bespattered jelly fish, crabs like green
lilies, and submarine
toadstools, slide each on the other.
All
external
marks of abuse are present on this
defiant edifice—
all the physical features of
ac-
cident—lack
of cornice, dynamite grooves, burns, and
hatchet strokes, these things stand
out on it; the chasm-side is
dead.
Repeated
evidence has proved that it can live
on what can not revive
its youth. The sea grows old in it.

1. The meeting point between ocean and cliff is a place of violence, where “iron” meets “iron edge,” and the “chasm-side”—littered with “marks of abuse”—“is/dead.” And yet within this zone of conflict thrives an entire ecosystem.
Which of the following best describes example 1?
a- Unsupported assertion, B- Assertion supported with full textual evidence or c-Textual evidence without a claim or assertion


2. : “Dynamite grooves, burns, and hatchet strokes” refers to the harm man has done to nature.
Which of the following best describes example 2?

a-Presents fact rather than argument
b-Compromises credibility by using an absolute statement or exaggeration
c-Maintains a reasonable tone


3. In the following lines, “All/external/marks of abuse are present on this/defiant edifice—” the poet condemns the consequences of all human action.
Which of the following best describes example 3?
a-Unfair emotional appeal
b- Fair, logical appeal
c-Misrepresented evidence

Answer 1

1.Assertion supported with full textual evidence.

The statement provides a claim and then supports it with evidence from the text, describing the violent meeting point between the ocean and cliff, the presence of marks of abuse, and the thriving ecosystem within that conflict zone.

2.Maintains a reasonable tone.

The statement presents an interpretation of the text, specifically the meaning of the words "dynamite grooves, burns, and hatchet strokes," but it does so in a reasonable tone without using an absolute statement or exaggeration.

3.Unfair emotional appeal.

The statement goes beyond the evidence presented in the text and makes a broad, sweeping claim about the poet's intentions or beliefs. While there may be evidence in the text to support a condemnation of human action, this statement overreaches and unfairly appeals to the reader's emotions.