After reading the syllabus and the Rhetorical Modes Handout, please write a paragraph or two comparing and contrasting the viewpoints expressed in Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s quote at the top of the syllabus for this course: “The great thing about writing is that it enables us to be so much smarter than we actually are,”

and Plato’s third argument against writing as listed on the Rhetorical Modes Handout, which states that:

Writing “frequently gave a ‘false’ impression of wisdom – one that did not ‘rightfully’ represent the wisdom of the argument of its author.”

Here are a few notes to help you along with this assignment.

First, the terms compare and contrast have very specific - and opposing - meanings. Comparing shows the similarities between two or more items whereas contrasting shows the differences. Accordingly, please keep in mind that, when an instructor asks you to compare and contrast two items - whatever they may be - those two items typically do have a thing or two in common but also usually some clear difference(s) as well. For example, you will probably never be asked to compare and contrast a watermelon and a gym sock because they are simply TOO dissimilar to even make sense of any sort of side-by-side evaluation of them.

Second, while you are welcome to express your opinions here to a degree, please recognize that both a very tangible and particular similarity and difference exist between these two quotes and the ideas that they represent. In other words, much like a math problem, there really is a "right" answer to this question - and many wrong ones. Please keep in mind that, if you find yourself writing much more than a brief paragraph or two at absolute most in response to this assignment, you have probably missed the mark and gone astray.