What is Courage?• Learning to define concepts is a key

component for argument writing.• For your Concept Papers, we will use the

idea of courage to model how to define terms.• Then, you will get to pick your own concept

to write about.

Is this courageous?

Are firefighters courageous at all times or just under certain circumstances?

US Navy 080730-N-5277R-003 A Commander, Naval Forces Japan firefighter douses a fire on a dummy aircraft during the annual off-station mishap drill at Naval Support Facility

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Seaman Barry Riley

Is this courageous?

Do people in the armed services qualify as courageous because they are in uniform, or do they qualify under only some circumstances?

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report-bret-baier/blog/category/u.s.+military/

• One day while Superman is flying around the skies of Chicago, he lands atop the Sears Tower. Using his super-telescopic vision, he sees a woman tied to a railroad track in the distant south. Squinting, he sees that it is Lois Lane. Beyond her, perhaps fifty feet away, is a rushing freight train, which, in seconds, will cut her fragile body to pieces. Superman leaps from the Sears Tower and flies toward the train with the speed of light. He screeches to a halt on the tracks facing the train. The train smashes into his outstretched arms, and Superman stops it dead. He turns to Lois and asks, “Gee, are you all right?” (Teaching Argument Writing).

Is this courageous?

Involve danger?Not be foolish?

For an act to be courageous, it must…

KEY TERM:criterion

1. a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.

(plural=criteria)

Example: For an act to be courageous, a person must know about the danger involved.

Your job

• I will make groups of 4-5.• Read and evaluate each scenario carefully.• Determine the criterion you used to determine

if the person was courageous. Some scenarios will require more than one criterion.

• Fill in the packet and be ready to explain your reasoning to the class.

Works CitedWikipediaFox NewsHillocks, George. Teaching Argument Writing. Heinman: Portsmouth, New Hamphire, 2011.