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1. THESIS
A) List the most important ideas in the text:
 aim for at least 3
 which one is the MAIN IDEA?
 ASK: WHY?/ HOW?/ did this come to be?
 ASK: what does the writer see as the CONSEQUENCES and/or–
SOLUTIONS and/or – CAUSES, or what is being RECOMMENDED?
Put these ideas together in a complete statement of the AUTHOR’s CENTRAL
ARGUMENT (THESIS). Aim for TWO SENTENCES.
MAIN IDEA: Most people do not realize how important altruism is for the preservation of
a civilized society; in fact, unselfish and truly generous acts of kindness are what keep
society together.
-altruism – what is it? acts of kindness that are not motivated by self-interest in any way.
- society depends on altruism- most people do not realize how important it is
- without people who behave altruistically, society will collapse; therefore it is critical that we
teach the young to create a society that values altruism
- people are not helping others to the extent they used to
- people who are altruistic are healthier, happier people and raise children who are kind and
contribute selflessly to society
B) Combine your ideas in at least TWO sentences:
In her article “Altruism,” June Callwood argues that the well-being of society depends on
acts of altruism, which are acts of kindness done with the intention to help others and not
motivated by self-interest at all. The people who practice kindness are much healthier and happy
than those who do not, and the benefits of their altruism are widespread as their children become
altruistic, too. However, altruism seems to be on the decline, indicating that society itself may be
in trouble. Callwood maintains that without a core of people in society who make a practice of
good works, society will effectively collapse; therefore it is essential that society instills these
values in the future generation.
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT
1) Find an example for your chosen MoD.
2) Quote the example, incorporating the quotation into your own sentence structure, and
name the method of development it shows.
3) Briefly explain how the method works.
4) State the supporting argument that is being advanced by the use of this method of
development.
5) Explain the effect. In other words, in which way are the ideas in the example
relevant to the author’s argument and how do they apply to and support her/his ideas?
REFERENCE TO AUTHORITY: In support of her argument that society is largely held intact by
people who are motivated to do good for others, Callwood uses a reference to authority in the third
paragraph by quoting from the research of Statistics Canada. Her source indicates that “it is neither
policing nor social services, nor laws that enable our neighbourhoods to be pleasant, [...] the prevailing
factor is the tacit acceptance of responsibility for others.” By using the support of a reliable and expert
source, Callwood’s reference to authority legitimizes her argument with solid research findings and makes
her stance seem valid. Also, she is able to emphasize that altruism is not only beneficial, but indeed a
“prevailing” factor. In other words, it is crucial. Additionally, she refutes the commonly held belief that
strong law enforcement and the safety net of social services are responsible for keeping society strong.
She reasons further, in reference to her source, that altruism is such a critical component in society, that
without it “we would be in sorry shape” (D). In effect, she uses her source not only to prove her point, but
also to show that the reverse is true: if good will holds society together, then the lack of it means society
would fall apart.
TONE
HOW TO FIND TONE: Identify the central issue and the author’s attitude toward it.
1. DICTION: Identify diction and the IMPLICATIONS that ARISE to convey an aspect of this
tone.
2 IMPLICATION: Explain the way in which the meaning emerges (what connotations are brought
in to play because of these specific word choices? How (in which ways) do these meanings (and their
associated connotations) communicate the author’s attitude?
3. EFFECT: Link the author’s attitude and beliefs to the diction.
The author conveys a tone of concern regarding her topic, altruism in society. She shares her
concern for society’s dwindling “civic core” of volunteers and states that for most people there is “an
absence of involvement” when it comes to giving up time to help others. By using diction such as
“absence” she emphasizes that altruism is completely non-existent for most of the population, and
therefore a deep concern. She expands on this idea by stating that many would-be volunteers dismiss the
idea of volunteering because they consider it “bothersome,” implying that they find the idea of giving
away their time just too much trouble. Additionally, she notes that some young people fear that it would
make them “unpopular” and so they “quit” after fulfilling the mandatory hours required for graduation.
By showing that some students cannot be bothered to help the community and that others are more
worried about their reputation than anything else, she makes today’s youth seem callous and uncaring,
which is cause for concern. Furthermore, she sees this trend resulting in society’s “breakdown.” By
implying that society is at risk of falling completely apart, she seems very worried that civilization’s
demise could be just around the corner unless people start caring more about each other as a matter of
course.
STYLISTIC DEVICES (same method as for similes)
1) Find an example for your chosen stylistic device.
2) Quote the example, incorporating the quotation into your own sentence structure, and name the
stylistic device it shows.
3) Briefly explain how this device operates. ie it compares A to B
4) State the supporting argument that is being supported by the use of this stylistic device.
5) Explain the effect. In other words, DESCRIBE THE EFFECT GENERATED BY THIS
DEVICE, and describe the way in which way the images are relevant to the author’s argument.
Why is the meaning produced by the device so appropriate and fitting for this particular aspect of
her argument?
Callwood uses a metaphor in the fourth paragraph (D) to support her point that the people who
take the initiative in society to do good works are far more important than we realize. She refers to this
group as the “Civic Core” and states that this group is a “pillar of enormous significance in maintaining a
just and mutually caring society.” She compares this vital sector of society to a “pillar,” an essential
architectural feature that literally supports the walls and roof of a building and keeps the whole structure
upright. Without pillars, the entire building would collapse and fall. In her metaphor, these ideas apply,
too, to the civic core of people who donate time and money to charitable foundations. In essence, she is
saying that this small but key group of people is fundamentally necessary for keeping the whole of society
standing, and that without such a core of good-will, a critical element of society’s structure would be
missing, and therefore, society would crumble.