Using the notes from reading Bill Keller’s What’s Prison For?, students will demonstrate the multiple ways the author structures his argument, such as stated and unstated assumptions, conclusions drawn from premises, unsupported opinions, and explanations.

Connection to module objectives:

Read and interpret a book-length text.
Identify key terms, such as argument, conclusion, explanation, joining words, opinion, standard form.
Identify unstated premises and hidden assumptions.

Steps:

Looking at Keller’s Introduction and Chapters 1, 2, and 3, please answer the following questions:                                                  
In the Introduction, Keller expresses hesitation about writing this book due to his lack of credentials. But he decides to go ahead and author a book despite his lack of experience and knowledge on the subject of incarceration. In standard form, list his reasons (premises) and/or examples of those reasons that he uses to support his conclusion that he is the right person to write this book.

In Chapter 1, “Restoring Our Fellow Creatures to Virtue and Happiness,” Keller writes of how conservative lawmakers, beginning in the 1970s, began legislating tough-on-crime laws as a means to stop “coddling” those accused of criminal behavior. In standard form, list at least three reasons (premises) and the conclusion that accelerated the rate of incarceration.
Later, in Chapter 2, “The Science of Crime and Punishment,” Keller mentions as to what scholars think are the four reasons individuals are incarcerated. In standard form, list the four premises and the conclusion based on the premises.
Finally (thanks for hanging in there!), in Chapter 3, “The Upside-Down Kingdom,” the author writes of an incarcerated person, Kayron Jackson, in which Jackson writes a tract titled “The Upside-Down Kingdom.” After reading this tract and reviewing your three standard form arguments, write a 150-200 word early reading response on the state of U.S. prisons.