Developing Argument

Statement (lines 1,2)

The English language is the richest for poetry.

Qualification of statement (lines 3-10)

This doesn’t mean that England has produced the greates poets or amount of poetry.

Clarification (lines 11-14)

English is the richest language for poetry because it has the largest vocabulary.

Supporting statement + examples (lines 14-29)

This richness is due to the variety of elements of which English is made of :

a)     Germanic

b)      Scandinavian

c)      Norman French

d)       French

e)       Latin

f)        Celtic

Further clarification + examples (lines 29-40)

The English language is also rich in its rhythmic variety. The elements are:

a)    Early Saxon

b)     Norman French

c)    Welsh 

d)      Latin

e)      Greek

First statement (lines 41-44)

English is a good language for poetry because is delivered from so many linguistic sources.

Second statement (lines 44-48)

England has not necessarily produced the greatest poets.

Statement + examples (lines 49-51)

It is generally thought that the greatest people excel  in one art. Examples:

a)     Italy and France in painting

b)     Germany in music

c)     England in poetry

Refutation + Example (lines 52-68)

This is not correct because:

a)     No art has ever been the exclusive possession of any one country

b)     Period in which some other country than England has taken the lead in poetry

Example: Second half nineteenth century in France it’s possible find Baudelaire and Paul Valéry

Further refutation + example (lines 68-76)

A nation which leads in a particular art form in a particular period does not necessarily  produce the greatest artists. Example: No one English poet coul gauge Goethe.

Statement (lines 77-86)

No European nation would have accomplished what it has, as far as culture is concerned, if other countries had not developed the same art forms.

Statement (lines  86-99)

The ability of European literature to renew itself depends on two factors:

a)     Ability to receive and assimilate influences from abroad

b)      Ability to go back and learn from its own sources

Now provide as many examples as you can of verbs used in the text to express opinion.

The exercises you have done so far should enable you to identify some aspects of the essay. First of all answer these questions on Eliot’s essay.

A.   Who is the essayist addressing?

He deals with English language power due to its origins, vocabulary and open – mind.

B.   Whose opinions are put forward in the essay?

The essayist’s opinions.

C.   What is the writer’s main intention?

His intention is to communicate the quality of English, expressing the reasons why it is such a great language.

D.   How does the essayist substantiate his statements?

He supports his statements with historical arguments.