Week+of+Jan+15-19

Hi Brier, I have included a fictitious letter to the editor from a citizen who is not happy with the popularity of fantasy and science fiction among young readers. Please respond to this letter. Make sure to remain respectful in tone. Consider and concede some of his well-taken points, while refuting others. Some phrases that might be of help include: I agree..., Although it may be true...., Admittedly..., Nonetheless... When Mr. Jones says....., he is forgetting ....Yet it's also important to consider... etc.

Here's the letter: I am concerned about a disturbing trend among young people today. It appears that no longer are they interested in the classics such as Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson, or Old Yeller. These books provided positive role models of robust characters using positive character traits such as integrity, courage, ingenuity, and cooperation to solve daunting challenges. The current preponderance of fantasy and science fiction novels for young readers leads young people to focus their minds upon daring feats of bravery with unbelievable and contrived outcomes. Instead of using integrity and grit to solve problems, the antagonists are vanquished with the flash of a sword or the sting of a laser. If we accept that good literature to inspire us all to better ourselves and to motivate us to live a life worthy of the gift of being alive, then I contend that this current trend in adolescent literature does us collectively a disservice. John Doe Anywhere, USA

It may be true that students do not read enough classics. However there are good traits in Fantasy and Sci Fi. Here are some examples. In the book Eragon, Eragon uses good traits such as integrity. One example is when Eragon saves the princess of the elves at any cost. He still uses swords, though Mr. Doe says that the sword and laser are overused things to vanquish the enemy. He is forgetting the fact that characters use other traits, as the example I gave earlier represents. Another example is when the Druid Walker gives his life to save others. In addition Aragorn is always trying to get Frodo to the mountain of doom at any cost. As you see the characters are trying to do anything to save others so it is using integrity and other good traits.
 * Regarding** the letter last week. **Mr Doe** said that young people don't like classics and read **too** much Sci Fi. Therefore they are missing the modeling of integrity and grit on the part of the main characters.

You may use my thoughts, but not exactly. Please replace them with your own wording. I have to go, getting on the plane. Please work with what I've given you. Mom