1.) It's clear that this is a topic that matters to Katherine Spriggs. Has she convinced you that it matters-and if so, how? How does Spriggs establish the importance of her topic?
Katherine Spriggs has convinced me that the topic of buying local does matter. The first thing that is noticeable is that she "has done her homework." She establishes her authority to speak on the subject in this way as well as citing personal experiences which gives to the reader a sense of first hand knowledge and that she understands the subject. As a result she is better able to establish her point about the effects of buying local. She addresses how buying or not buying local affects various parts of our lives and culture and in doing this establishes the importance of her topic.
2.) What counterarguments or positions other than her own does Spriggs consider-and how does she respond in each case?
Spriggs considers the other positions differing from her own on points regarding the subjects of how buying local can affect the environment and also the impact on the economy. She offers the view that it can help the environment by "minimizing waste, use of chemicals, soil erosion and pollution" because of the encouragement of small polyculture farms. (Spriggs) She responds to the counterargument that it may have negative effects on environment because it would be better to " buy food from the world region where it grows best." (Macdonald) She acknowledges and addresses the point he makes specifically and does not argue against it directly but instead uses it to bring more a specific focus on how the the focus of buying local should be used. She responds to another argument about the use of resources on small farm being not as efficient in their use of resources as large farms. She addresses the concern by giving more specific information about the effectiveness of use of resources of these small farms. Spriggs response to each of the counter arguments by not discounting the points or concerns raised, but instead gives further information not being addressed by those concerns which may change the view or understanding of the subject.
3.) Choose a section of Spriggs' essay that you find especially effective or ineffective. Referring to the genre features discussed on p.66. (Everyone's an Author) describe what makes this part of her argument persuasive- or not.
I found the article as a whole to be particularly effective as she addressed many different angles, gave a good amount of information and used that to make a compelling argument. A specific section that I personally found effective was her story of the family friend whom was a farmer. This part of the argument created the feeling of a more personal understanding of the subject and as a result helps the reader to relate because it is an aspect of the subject being told to them from her directly (in writing) as opposed to it being an impersonal argument. It helps establish a sympathy understanding as well as the logic she puts forth in why the topic matters.
4.) Spriggs includes several photos in her essay. How do they contribute to her argument?
The photos help the reader to have a better "image" of what she is describing when she talks about the differences of the small polyculture farms and the large monoculture farms. Also the differences in the contrasting color of the crops of the two farms makes the smaller farms crops appear healthier. The photos in general help give better image to the argument.
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