Author and lecturer Alfie Kohn contends that "competition by its very nature is always unhealthy.” Read the following excerpt from Kohn's essay "Why Competition?"
The cost of any kind of competition in human terms is incalculable. When my success depends on
other people's failure, the prospects for a real human community are considerably diminished
Moreover, when my success depends on my being better than, I am caught on a treadmill, destined
never to enjoy real satisfaction. Someone is always one step higher, and even the summit is a
precarious position in light of the hordes waiting to occupy it in my stead. I am thus perpetually
insecure and, as psychologist Rollo May points out, perpetually anxious.
Write an essay that argues your position on Kohn's claim about the nature of competition. (Do you
want to defend/challenge/or qualify his claim?)
In your response you should do the following:
Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
Provide evidence to support your line of reasoning.
Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
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1. read the following excerpt from franklin d. roosevelt's "fireside chat 19":

on the other side of the picture, we must learn also to know that guerilla warfare against the germans in, let us say serbia or norway, us; that a successful russian offensive against the germans us; and that british successes on land or sea in any part of the world strengthen our hands.

remember always that germany and italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war, consider themselves at war with the united states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with britain or russia. and germany puts all the other republics of the americas into the same category of enemies. the people of our sister republics of this hemisphere can be honored by that fact.  

the true goal we seek is far above and beyond the ugly field of battle. when we resort to force, as now we must, we are determined that this force shall be directed toward ultimate good as well as against immediate evil. we americans are not destroyers — we are builders.

analyze the effectiveness of this excerpt. how does it function within the speech as a whole? how does the structure of the excerpt to convey the speech's purpose and key points? support your argument with evidence from the speech. (10 points)

1. read the following excerpt from franklin d. roosevelt's "fireside chat 19":

on the other side of the picture, we must learn also to know that guerilla warfare against the germans in, let us say serbia or norway, us; that a successful russian offensive against the germans us; and that british successes on land or sea in any part of the world strengthen our hands.

remember always that germany and italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war, consider themselves at war with the united states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with britain or russia. and germany puts all the other republics of the americas into the same category of enemies. the people of our sister republics of this hemisphere can be honored by that fact.  

the true goal we seek is far above and beyond the ugly field of battle. when we resort to force, as now we must, we are determined that this force shall be directed toward ultimate good as well as against immediate evil. we americans are not destroyers — we are builders.

analyze the effectiveness of this excerpt. how does it function within the speech as a whole? how does the structure of the excerpt to convey the speech's purpose and key points? support your argument with evidence from the speech. (10 points)

pre-writing

why we feel good, or better, when we laugh?

is there a scientific explanation for this to happen?

which are the sources?

rough draft

laughter has a way of instantly connecting people and is one of the most basic and fundamental ways in which we communicate as human beings.

newport academy: endorphins reduce stress and strength social connections.

they combat anxiety and depression.

final draft

we know that when we laugh we feel better; when something is making us laugh it means we thought it was funny at some point, even if it was not meant that way. what we know is that it made us feel good. that is something we all can realize easily, but is it a chemical explanation for it to happen? of course there

according to joe bluett, laughter has a way of instantly connecting people and is one of the most basic and fundamental ways in which we communicate as human beings. also, he says that laughter can increase confidence, self-esteem, creativity, positivity and resilience, bringing positive changes to all aspects of our lives.

the newport academy says that, when we laugh, we release endorphins and that makes our body feel instantly relieved from tension and worry. endorphins also reduce stress and strength social connections.

therefor, laughter is the best to combat anxiety and depression.