First Summaries

“We’re No. 1(1)!” Summary

Thomas Friedman argues that the reason America is number eleven is because America has stopped following the ways and values of our “Greatest Generation.” Friedman makes this argument by talking about how sacrifice is not in our vocabulary anymore and we are not ready to sacrifice. Friedman makes this argument in order to convince the readers to go back to the ways of the “Greatest Generation.” Friedman assumes his readers are people who can have impacts on children or students.

Thomas Friedman argues that Americans values have gone down and we expect less of ourselves, we are more worried about becoming richer faster and taking all the shortcuts just to get to that point he also states that politicians are not helping this matter and in the end everyone is being selfish and not willing to sacrifice.

Friedman makes his argument by using previous articles written by Michael Hirsh and Robert Samuelson who have also had strong opinions on the topic of America being ranked “number 11” his use of rhetorical sarcastic questions show the reader how passionate he is about this topic as well as him making his opinions very clear.

Friedman makes this argument in order to give America a wakeup call we are no longer the super power we were; other countries such as China and India are taking over  they have adopted the old “American way” while we are now falling behind and all of our old values and sacrifices have depleted America will basically fall to shams.

Friedman assumes that his readers are the general public I believe this due to the language he uses and how straight forward he is I also believe he directs certain points to the higher politicians in charge such as the comment about wall street and gambling basically this is directed towards America and how our values have changed and due to this it has resulted in us no longer being the main super power country.

Thomas Friedman argues that the reason why our country has become number eleven is because we are not willing to sacrifice to improve the major problems in our country. Friedman makes this argument by using examples of “our greatest generation” and how they were able to achieve in the hardest of times. Friedman makes this argument in order to prove that unless our country is willing to make sacrifices and willing to risk not being “painless”, we are going to continue to be number eleven. Friedman assumes that his readers are educated about history and about the state of the economy while also being influential in the near future, which would target people in their mid-late twenties and thirties.

NYT “We’re No. 1(1)!” Summary
Thomas Friedman argues that President Obama needs to fight back and bring American from No.11 to No.1. Friedman makes this argument by listing things that America has gone through and what Obama has done, either negative or positive aspects. Friedman makes this argument in order to let the people of America know why we are No.11 and what we can do to change our status. Friedman assumes that his readers are the Democrats of America and the people of America in general.

1. Thomas Friedman argues that our generation is not motivated enough to work together towards the change that is necessary to make America better.

2. Friedman makes this argument by comparing past generations with our current generations and pointing out things they did that we do not do.

3. Friedman makes this argument in order to show Americans that we need to change and that change is possible and has been done in the past and that it may take sacrifice but it is necessary.

4. Friedman assumes that his readers are students and parents because both are at fault for some parts of the issue.

– Thomas Friedman argues that the United States has become the 11th “greatest country in the world” because its citizens want something to happen quickly, and yet without any effort or compromise; that all are lazy.
– Friedman makes this argument by providing statistics of teachers and students of the secondary level, demonstrating the lack competitiveness.
– Friedman makes this argument in order to explain to his readers, through use of logos, the validity in his opinion.
– Friedman assumes that his readers are similar to the examples he used earlier in his piece; citizens who want painless results.

Thomas Friedman argues that we’re number 11 because we are not forcing ourselves to work harder, while on the other hand, other countries are passing us up because no only are they doing what we do but they‚re working harder in doing so.

Friedman makes his argument by comparing us to other countries. He shows how we have pretty much the same things except that the other countries allow themselves to work harder and hold their kids to the highest expectations.

Friedman makes this argument in order to show us that if other countries can do it then we can as well. We just have to push ourselves harder and work more than the other countries are and we will soon have our number one spot back.

Friedman assumes that his readers are Americans. You can tell this in the way he compares us to other countries. He wants to show us that other people have taken our number one spot because they are doing these certain things and if we do them we can beat them.

Thomas Friedman argues that americans have simply just lost their luster, instead to be replaced with motivation deprived selfish  followers. Friedman makes this argument  by combining both Hersh and Samuelson’s ideas and expanding them with his own constructive criticism on modern day society. Friedman makes this argument in hopes that [?] he may spark a change in a lifestyle whose values have been depleted and perhaps give the U.S  more respect as a superpower. Friedman intends his readers to be the general public, but more specifically parents because it all starts with them imprinting  values in their children that will help them be more educated and someday leaders.

Thomas Friedman argues that student motivation and desire to learn has decreased greatly over generations causing our nation to drop in world ranks. Friedman makes this argument by explaining the declining assertiveness students‚ show in their work ethics and easy, superficial wealth and power they try to attain. Friedman makes this argument in order to inform the reader that it is not the schools, teachers, or classes that make students fail; it is the lack of personal inspiration of the students themselves that is caused by modern society. Friedman assumes that his readers are people who need insight on the influences society has on a student’s motivation rather than the influences school and teachers have.

Thomas Freidman argues that as a country we cannot ride the wave of previous success˜and more so that of the boom generation˜and must consider ourselves competitive with the world not assuming a role of feigned leadership; in a sense being less solipsistic.

He relies on the writings of venerable journalists etc, using their opinions to This is in a way a call to arms to the American Youth, he opines that America on the global scene is languishing, and that in reflecting upon America’s past greatness the present is in the hands of an apathetic populous; this is Friedman’s main reason for argument.

Freidman’s perceived audience is the people usurping the older generation, the ones that are now taking over the professions that affect the country and the world.

Summary of “We’re No. 1(1)!‰

Thomas Friedman argues that the real reason why we are not a top ten country anymore is that our country has had a values breakdown. Friedman makes this argument by giving an example of why the Greatest Generation was great, and then he provides examples of why the Baby Boomer Generation is not. Friedman makes this argument in order to explain what has happened in recent years that has allowed the quality of our country to decline and what he believes will help it improve in the future. Friedman assumes that his readers are the law makers and decision makers in our country because he is stating what changes he believes need to be made to help and the majority of those changes need to come from someone who can change laws and rules.

Thomas Friedman argues that are unwillingness to work hard and lack of motivation have caused the United States and its values to fall behind. Friedman makes this argument by showing our drop in education through test scores and comparing America’s greatest generations. He makes this argument in order to point out the problems with our society and to call us to action to solve those problems. Thomas Friedman assumes that his readers are a part of the current generation who have a desire to change the direction because he uses the word “our” showing he is a part of it advocating for change.

We’re No.1 (1)! from The New York Times

Thomas Freidman argues that other nations and developing countries are currently catching up to the United States technology and Capital. The reason for this argument is to let the people know that we shouldnt be so stuck on us being number 1 because these other countries are advancing fast and in a positive way. Friedman makes this argument by pointing out our flaws and what we’ve done wrong here in the US. Aswell as pointing out that this has all started many many years ago and all the effects of the descisions that were once made are affecting us today. Friedman makes this argument in order to let the people know that we need to find a solution and quick and figure out what the RIGHT next moves can possibly be to get our selves out of the mess and contine to advance as a country and focus on moral values and education like it once was the case or like he states if not “we will stay no. 11”. Friedman assumes that his readers are the american citizens of the United States of America who are dedicated citizens who care and want there country to be praised in glory. Within this article there were many strong points made and it was nice to see someone lay out our flaws and problems and let it be known that we need to get out of our egotistic minds and understand that these other prospering countries are gaining on us quick!

Thomas Friedman argues that our country is falling behind because children have no motivation to do well in school. Friedman makes this argument by saying how many times students are absent in a year because they are not motivated to go. Friedman makes this argument in order to show people how far behind our country has actually fallen, instead of sugar coating it by saying we are not to far behind. Friedman assumes that his reader are people who think that Obama’s plan for education is working, and for those who aren’t willing to sacrifice for the good of our country.

We‚re No. 1(1)!
1.)    Thomas Friedman argues that our generation is gradually declining both academically and financially due to the fact that Americans no longer have the drive to make sacrifices for the better of the nation as they are more focused on their own personal gain.
2.)    Friedman makes this argument by reminding the reader of what made our Greatest Generation great and how Americans were always willing to make sacrifices, but also leaders did not fear having to ask for national support.
3.)    Friedman makes this argument in order to make a statement that Americans live far from the same than they had in previous generations as life now a days is more focused on “me” rather than “we” which in turn is causing the nation to decline financially and morally.
4.)    Friedman assumes that his readers are middle to older individuals who are unsatisfied with the current state of the nation and this is evident because he makes various references to the success of previous generations and the camaraderie that the nation as a whole exhibited.

We’re No.1(1)!- Thomas Friedman

Thomas Friedman argues that the reason the United States is not living up to the expectations of the world is because the generation of today is lacking motivation to strive to do better because everything is presented as an easy solution; we are not accustomed to putting in the effort of an education and expect it to come easily like everything else.

Friedman makes this argument by explaining the differences between different generations and how the generations before our time had to deal with so many more problems and were asked to deal with them, and contrasts this with the current generation, which isn’t familiar with the concept of coping with difficulties and instead looks for an easy way out.

Friedman makes this argument in order to explain to the reader the reason why the United States is not the number one country and also to show how, although we had the technology first, the countries ahead of us now have both the technology that puts them in the lead and also the responsibility to back it up.

Friedman is making this argument to parents and others in authority who don’t feel the need to take responsibility for those they are asked to mentor and don’t instill in their children and students the importance of treading through the challenges in order to achieve a common goal.

Thomas Friedman argues that today‚s Americans lost a lot of their values, and without them we cannot be on the top of the world like we used to be. Friedman makes this argument by contrasting the ŒGreatest Generation‚ and Americans today. Friedman makes this argument in order to point out how easily No.1 can change into No.11. America used to be the greatest country and now we‚re slowly going down, simply because there is not much pride in the country, no motivation to work hard, and barely any people with set values. Friedman assumes that his readers are adults, mainly parents and teachers, who are in some way responsible for us, Œthe new generation‚. He is pointing out that today,  Americans have no values, have lost their pride, and being No.1 is no longer as important to them, as it was back in the day. Adults are the ones who can motivate us and shape our values, so we can bring the country back to being No.1.