English 1000: University English
Logical Relations in Texts 2
| Paragraph 1: Most fathers realistically find themselves on the sidelines during the early years of their children's lives. Many men, far more than an outsider could deduce from our media, would like to take a full and equal part in the rearing of their children. But our society is based on wage-earning and on a strong accompanying work-ethic. | ||
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? 'and', 'but', 'or' |
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| Paragraph 2: A very few families do manage to organise their lives so that the rigid distinctions between work-place and home, labour and leisure are blurred, and the whole of life, including child rearing can become one. | ||
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? | |
| Paragraph 3: Children are born into an existing scheme of things and their advent does not bar their mother-person from participation, nor separate her from the life she was leading before. Their care can be shared between the parents in any way they choose, and, as the children grow, there is work in which they can participate and call it play. |
It is difficult to decide what kind of links the writer intends. The link between 1. and 2. might be 'nevertheless', but when we insert this word it becomes obvious that the argument doesn't develop.
The reader is entitled to ask: so what?
Similarly, between 2. and 3. the most likely link is 'and', but inserting this means the paragraphs just form a simple list. They don't constitute an argument.
sydney university
arts faculty
english
dept.
winter school
For other information contact the unit co-ordinator, Craig Ronalds: craig.ronalds@english.usyd.edu.au