Introvert
selected reading: Introvert
• What is the author’s claim in the selected reading? In other words, what do you believe the author wants their audience to learn or understand better once they have finished reading?
• Have you identified key points that the author uses to support their claim in the selected reading? If so, include them here.
• Describe the author’s target audience: what group or groups of people is the author trying to reach with their message?
• What choices does the author make within their writing to connect with this target audience?
• Explain your evaluation of the author’s claim: is the claim strong or weak? What evidence or key points from the writing best support the author’s claim? If you found the claim to be weak, explain why the evidence or key points provided did not effectively support the author’s claim
Sample Solution
The author's claim in the selected reading is that introverts should celebrate their inner strength and not feel the need to change their nature. The key points used by the author to support this claim include: introverts have a greater propensity for creativity, they are more observant than extroverts, they have better analytical skills and focus on details, and they think before speaking. The author's target audience appears to be individuals who identify as introverts who may struggle with feeling inferior or inadequate due to the cultural emphasis on extroversion.
In order to connect with this target audience, the author uses language that is both uplifting and encouraging throughout, such as “embrace your unique gifts”, “you don't need to change”, and “there's no need to apologize for being an introvert”. This use of language speaks directly to those who may suffer from feelings of inadequacy or inferiority because of their perceived lack of sociability when compared with extroverts.
I believe that the author's claim is strong due its reliance on evidence-based facts regarding creativity, analytical skills, and other qualities associated with introversion which set them apart from extroverts. These tangible examples provide concrete evidence that contradicts any doubts one may have about being an introvert versus an extrovert and serves as reassurance that there are many positive qualities associated with one’s chosen personality type. Furthermore, it validates these positive qualities which can help boost the self-esteem of those struggling with how society perceives them based off their preferred style of engagement rather than allowing themselves to feel less valuable because their inclinations are not what culture has traditionally deemed preferable or praiseworthy.