Integrity is difficult to achieve because in order to truly achieve integrity we must understand the whole definition. Carter points out many of us believe integrity to be honesty, but that is only a portion of the definition. He explained just because we possess honesty does not mean we possess integrity.
It is very easy to voice what you as an individual believe in, but it is quite another task to act in accordance to your convictions when tested under pressure. Everyday we are bombarded with different pressures whether they are social, political, or moral. We as individuals need to know and stand by our beliefs no matter what form of pressure tries to persuade us. We need this discipline even when there is no one watching.
We may believe we know the difference between right and wrong, but in order to possess integrity we must reflect on what is right and act upon our principles at risk to ourselves. As Carter stated, we must reflect on our beliefs, act upon our beliefs when necessary, and voice when we are acting upon our beliefs to truly achieve integrity.
Hello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the comment that just because we may be honest, it doesn't necessarily mean that we posses integrity. I really enjoyed your comments about all the pressures that we all have everyday but that we need to actively stand by our beliefs and not let those pressures mold or persuade us. We need to stay true to ourselves.
Thanks for your writing.
Mandy Ericson
Hi Sarah-
ReplyDeleteI love you first paragraph, I think that i clearly explains what people seems to think about integrity. People do depend on honesty and justify it for integrity all the time,you must know the difference between right and wrong. I enjoyed reading your blog, it was so true and very clear!
Emily
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to voice your opinion, especially when it concerns something that you're passionate about. It's a completely different story when voicing your opinion is accompanied by integrity. Often we don't worry too much about how we're going to make others feel because we've been conditioned to believe that honesty is always good. That's not the case, there are times when the best thing to do is to simply be quiet and to keep our opinions to ourselves.
When I was younger I used to be brutally honest with my sister. A lot of the things that I said would hurt her feelings, but it didn't phase me because in my opinion, it was best to tell the truth. Although in most occasions telling the truth is wise, honesty can at times be hurtful and detrimental to those around you. That's why integrity is such a hard virtue to possess because you have to really judge whether or not it's appropriate to be honest. We have to take a deep look at our intentions and determine if we're expressing ourselves for the benefit of others or for our own benefit.
1. What is the writer�s thesis? Can you find the statement? Is it the main point the rest of the essay works to develop?
ReplyDeleteYes, the thesis of Sarah entire paper was regarding the first sentence of the essay: “My relationship with my father and Sarah’s relationship with her father in “Shooting Dad” are particularly similar. We both grew up not appreciating our fathers for the wonderful role models they were yet thankfully we both recognized our critical error before it was too late.”
This is also what is developed in making the poin of the rest of the essay which is done very well and clearly and concisely understandable.
2. What evidence is cited to prove and support the writer�s thesis? What pieces of evidence are cited from the readings and/or the writer�s observations to support the thesis?
The following statements I took from Sarah essay to support her thesis.
“I started developing my own views on life and religious ideals that were opposite of what my father believed”
“He started trying to enforce rules to squash my individualism that he viewed as rebellion. I reacted in a way a teenager would, by creating a persona reeking of hatred for authority. “
“Sarah and I reacted to our fathers in a similar way, we both chose to participate in a lifestyle that was completely opposite of what our parental figures lived. “
“Sarah and I tried desperately to be entirely different from our fathers and in retrospect we instead both possessed multiple similarities and convictions.”
3. Is the writer�s reasoning/critical thinking provided to explain how the evidence proves and supports the thesis?
Absolutely, I felt she did this very well and enjoyed the way she put her story together it kept my attention of interest in how her life was similar to Sarah's in “Shooting Dad” and not just because of the same names.
4. What else could the writer cite as evidence in this essay?
Sarah could have included possible events in her life that she spent any time doing activities with her father as Sarah did with shooting guns with her sister and her dad and how that worked to develop her story, I think those particular things could have been included here.
6. What�s strong about the essay?
The last statement and the second sentence all tie into the thesis and the point of the essay and that is:
“We both grew up not appreciating our fathers for the wonderful role models they were yet thankfully we both recognized our critical error before it was too late.”
“Sarah and I tried desperately to be entirely different from our fathers and in retrospect we instead both possessed multiple similarities and convictions. “
7. What other suggestions or feedback do you want to provide the writer?
I really enjoyed the development of your story a few activities shared between your dad and you could have been included to help the thesis and give an example of how these times turned out.
I was always told by my mother, “Learn how to get along with your father and brother, and you'll know how to get along with your husband". I never fully understood her message until years later when I got married and set up housekeeping with my husband. It was then that I learned about compromise, commitment and consideration.” lastly, I believe that
“Fathers play an essential role in their daughter's lives. Many things are learned and many things are taught. Some of the most meaningful moments in a daughter's life are spent with her father.