Read the following passage from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Fireside Chat 19, which Roosevelt delivered via radio on December 9, 1941 — two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor:

The course that Japan has followed for the past ten years in Asia has paralleled the course of Hitler and Mussolini in Europe and in Africa. Today, it has become far more than a parallel. It is actual collaboration so well calculated that all the continents of the world, and all the oceans, are now considered by the Axis strategists as one gigantic battlefield.

In 1931, ten years ago, Japan invaded Manchukuo — without warning.

In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia — without warning.

In 1938, Hitler occupied Austria — without warning.

In 1939, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia — without warning.

Later in '39, Hitler invaded Poland — without warning.

In 1940, Hitler invaded Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg — without warning.

In 1940, Italy attacked France and later Greece — without warning.

And this year, in 1941, the Axis Powers attacked Yugoslavia and Greece and they dominated the Balkans — without warning.

In 1941, also, Hitler invaded Russia — without warning.

And now Japan has attacked Malaya and Thailand — and the United States — without warning.

It is all of one pattern.

Write a short argument to answer the following question: Is the structure of the passage effective? In your argument, consider what Roosevelt's central idea is and whether the structure of the passage helps convey that idea clearly, persuasively, and memorably. You are writing an argument, so make sure to include a clear claim and to respond to at least one counterclaim. Also be sure to use specific details from the passage to develop your claim and counterclaim.

Question

Read the following passage from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Fireside Chat 19, which Roosevelt delivered via radio on December 9, 1941 — two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor:

The course that Japan has followed for the past ten years in Asia has paralleled the course of Hitler and Mussolini in Europe and in Africa. Today, it has become far more than a parallel. It is actual collaboration so well calculated that all the continents of the world, and all the oceans, are now considered by the Axis strategists as one gigantic battlefield.

In 1931, ten years ago, Japan invaded Manchukuo — without warning.

In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia — without warning.

In 1938, Hitler occupied Austria — without warning.

In 1939, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia — without warning.

Later in '39, Hitler invaded Poland — without warning.

In 1940, Hitler invaded Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg — without warning.

In 1940, Italy attacked France and later Greece — without warning.

And this year, in 1941, the Axis Powers attacked Yugoslavia and Greece and they dominated the Balkans — without warning.

In 1941, also, Hitler invaded Russia — without warning.

And now Japan has attacked Malaya and Thailand — and the United States — without warning.

It is all of one pattern.

Write a short argument to answer the following question: Is the structure of the passage effective? In your argument, consider what Roosevelt's central idea is and whether the structure of the passage helps convey that idea clearly, persuasively, and memorably. You are writing an argument, so make sure to include a clear claim and to respond to at least one counterclaim. Also be sure to use specific details from the passage to develop your claim and counterclaim.

zarkam21 · Answer

Yes, I do believe the structure is effective because it is listing the different invasions in depth of when they took place. Looking at the long list, it is essentially told that the Axis strategists are now one gigantic battlefield.

zarkam21 · Answer

would this be a good essential argument?

zarkam21 · Answer

@Shadow

Shadow · Answer

If you take "The course that Japan has followed for the past ten years in Asia has paralleled the course of Hitler and Mussolini in Europe and in Africa" as being the point he's trying to get across, then yes, I think he structured his argument effectively. He drew parallels from Japan to Italy and Germany to support his argument that they are similar, and thus should be treated as the same.

Shadow · Answer

I'm sure you get the gist of it.