1. Identify Putnam's claim. Where does he state in his essay? From your experience, do you agree with him? Do you agree that discuss divorece "in an almost pious reverence saved only for life threatening illness"?
2. On what grounds does Putnam base his claim? Find specific evidence he presents to support his claim. Do you find it convincing and supportive?
4. Putnam has several warrants, some of them stated expicitly and some implied. In paragraph 2 he states: "A loving parent will be successful one even if he or she cannot affrot to furnish his or her child with the best clothes or hte most sophisticated gourmet delicacies." do you agree with his warrant? On what commonly shared values or beliefs does he base this warrant? Are there any aspects of his warrant with which you disagree? What backing does Putnam provide to support his warrant? Is it sufficient?
6. Notice the qualifier Putnam uses in paragraph 3 when he says, "In all truthfullness there have been some decidedly negative ramifications stemming form our family seperation" (emphesis added). What limitations does this qualifing statement put on his argument? Does this limitation weaken his argument at all?
7. Does Putnam acknowledge and address anticipated rebuttals to his argument? Can you locate any in his essay? What rebuntalls can you make in response to his argument?