An Indian Father's Plea

Multiple Choice

What element of argument is displayed in the sentence beginning “Although you in Western society …” in paragraph 5?

• Hook

• Claim

• Support

• Concessions/Refutations

• Call to Action

Open Ended

What element of an argument is displayed in the underlined sentences in paragraph 10? How do they improve the effectiveness of the speakers claim?

Open Ended

What is the author’s purpose in paragraphs 2–10, where he describes and explains the kinds of things Wind-Wolf has been taught outside school?

Open Ended

In paragraph 11, what is the author’s claim? How does he support this claim?

Open Ended

How does the tone shift in paragraph 13? How does the author achieve this shift? In terms of argumentative structure, what is the author trying to achieve?

Open Ended

Summarize what the father is asking the teacher to do.

Open Ended

What is the author’s argument? Is it effective?

Categorize

Options (4)

Identify examples of the five elements of argument that appear in “An Indian Father’s Plea.”

Hook

Claim

Support

Refutation

Multiple Choice

Read the excerpt from “An Indian Father’s Plea” by Robert Lake.

Yesterday, for the third time in two weeks, he came home crying and said he wanted to have his hair cut. He said he doesn’t have any friends at school because they make fun of his long hair. I tried to explain to him that in our culture, long hair is a sign of masculinity and balance and is a source of power. But he remained adamant in his position.

Which statement best analyzes the role of this paragraph in the overall structure of Lake’s argument?

• Lake precedes his appeal to the reader with this scene that evokes compassion for Wind Wolf; this structure reveals that Lake believes the reader will be most persuaded by emotional connections rather than by concrete facts about Wind Wolf’s cultural heritage.

• Lake uses this scene to persuade his reader that Wind Wolf’s cultural differences shape his perception of his identity; this structural choice causes readers to shift from understanding Wind Wolf’s experience to reflecting on their own perceptions of personal cultural heritage.

• Lake places this supporting argument near the end of the letter after providing many details of Wind Wolf’s education and heritage; this structural choice leads the reader to sympathize more deeply with Wind Wolf from a position of respect for his individuality and identity.

• Lake waits until the end of the letter to present his most emotive supporting arguments about Wind Wolf’s experience in school; this structural decision communicates that he believes the preceding information about Wind Wolf’s heritage is more important in supporting his argument.

Multiple Choice

Lake chose to write his article as a letter to a real or imaginary teacher. How does this rhetorical decision communicate his point of view?

• This choice of rhetoric communicates Lake’s trust in the educational system to solve the problems it has created.

• Lake’s rhetoric is used as irony to convey his perspective that his son’s teachers are not actually able to teach him anything.

• Lake’s rhetorical choice reveals his desire to address individuals personally because he values their unique perspectives.

• This strategy creates a personal element that shows how Lake believes his appeal must be answered by real individuals in his son’s life.