Ramsey Arram
Professor Mark Canada
ENG 106 - Proposal Outline (Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography)
Sept. 3, 2002
I. Introduction, Claim = The lifestyle,morale, ambiton, and integrity
of Benjamin Franklin should be respected and his autobiography proves to
show classic examples of how intelligence, good morals, and integrity
will only lead a person to success.
A. Benjamin Franklin's autiobiography
is good teaching to tool for our students.
B. The documented life of
one of America's greatest inventors, thinkers, and builders should only spread
good knowledge
and ambition throughout America's education system.
C. Benjamin Franklin's repeated
success in printing was attained by the ability to write compositions, propose
arguments, and his
ambition that started to show at the age of 12 when he started his printing
apprenticeship with his brother James.
II. Benjamin Franklin went through many practices in philosophy
and evaluated their effectiveness until he arrived with his own philosphy
for living, which can be used by our students.
B. After Benjamin read Lock
on Human Understanding, The Art of Thinking, and Xenopon's Memorable Things
of
Socrates, it influenced him to change his style from
positive argument and contradiction to the style of the humble inqiuer and
doubter.
C. Benjamin comments that
he never approaches a situation with an argument that could result in disagreement
(13), this is a practice that some
students could utilize.
D. When Benjamin worked for
Keimer who owned a printing press in Philadelphia, he used to defeat Keimer
in
arguments using his socratic method
of argument. Keimer was so impressed he wanted to propose arguments
on paper and have
Benjamin defeat anyone's opposing arguments.
E. Benjamin grew to believe
that truth, sincerity, and integrity between men are the utmost importance
to the felecity of life ( Franklin
43). This belief is one that could be taught to and absorbed by students
everywhere and prove useful to their
morals.
III. A portion of Benjamin's success in the printing can be attributed
to his ability to write well, and his love for reading and knowledge.
A. At the age of 12 when
Benjamin's apprenticeship started, he also read a different book everynight.
This ambition for
knowledge stayed with him his whole life.
B. When Benjamin's father
read Benjamin and Collins arguments they proposed to each other, he remarked
to Benjamin that his
spelling and grammer were great ( thanks to the job at the printing press),
but he needed to work on his "elegance
of expression, in method and in perpicuity.
C. During his apprenticeship
with his brother James, older men would come argue at the press and publish
their
arguements. Disguising his
handwriting and slipping the composition's under the door at night, Benjamin's
compositions were
recognized and published the compositions because of their ingenious
and logical methods of arguement. The
knowledge that they were Benjamin's
writings were never revealed .
D. Ben lived a life as a
compositer in London, this proves he could survive off of his talent to
write.
E. Benjamin started
his own club called Junto that required it's members to write an article
on any subject but especially morals,
politics and natural philosophy. It was stated by Ben they would
not use positive argument and contradictioin, but
only search for higher knowledge and the truth about things (Franklin 45).
F. Benjamin, after attaining
his own printing press, bought Mr. Keimer's paper which profited primarily
from Benjamin's
compositions, opinions, and proposals that were printed in the paper.
G. Although he remained anonymous,
his writing of "The Nature and Necessity of Paper Currency" resulted in
the offer to print more paper money
from members of the House. The solid argument in the composition defeated
its opposition,
proving Benjamin's ability to write once again.
H. Benjamin created a subscription
library that lead to the a advancement of intelligence of common people
and farmers as
the same for libraries today that allow the whole public to come in and
read.
I. With a passion for books
and always a healthy collection on hand, Franklin met many powerful and
intelligent people, such as when he met New York's Governor Burnet on a
boat to Philadelphia (Franklin 25)
VI. Benjamin's behavior and courtesy towards other people allowed
for his advancement and networking wherever he lived.
A. Early in his life Benjamin
was taught to pay perfect inattention to any food set before, to only recognize
that any food
offered to you should be thanked for. This humble behavior will win
the approval of many people as it did for Benjamin.
B. A. Benjamin learned early
on from his father that falling into arguments on any subject in front of
company should be
avoided by anyone with sense (Franklin 10). I believe this is a good
practice students can learn to utilize from this book.
C. Benjamin states that he
approached men expressing himself in terms of "modest diffidence," (Frankilin
13) always
humble with solid arguments, never aggresive.
D. After his arrival in Philadelphia
from Boston Franklin shows two signs of courtesy that proves his generosity
and
kindness (two characteristics that might of contributed
to Franklin's success), he paid the guides from his final journey that
didn't want to accept money even with hardly any money
in his pockets, and he gave away wwo loaves of bread when that
was his only food.
E. Even after the knowledge of
the betrayal of Pennslyvania's Governor (Keith) who promised Benjamin a printing
press, Benjamin still appreciated
the good qualities that he had, which is a good example to appreciate the
good qualities
of a person and utilize those qualities in your own life.
F. His partnership in the
printing business with Meredith was sour because Meredith was a poor printer
and a drunk, but Benjamin proved his
perseverence to the people when he worked from early in the day until late
in the night to keep up
with all the work. Many people noticed and discouraged Ben to break
the partnership but Ben remained loyal to the
agreement until the situation solved
itself. This proved Benjamin was good for his word and never broke his
promises, which only
benefited him later on (Ben eventually got the business for himself).
G. With his knowledge of morals,
politics, and natural philosophy and his incredible talent to argue and prove
himself right, Ben made many friends
in high places, such as in Burlington when he printed paper money for New
Jersey, he made many friends of Assembly
members and other people of great importance.
H. Benjamin always represented
himself as a hardworker, for example he used to push his wheelbarrow of paper
through the streets show he participated
in all the work for his business, and never took the easy paced life of
an owner, boss, or
supervisor.
V. Conclusion
A. Benjamin Franklin became successful because
he had good morals, and a great attitude towards work, learning, and
success.
B. Benjamin's self taught ability to write good
persuasive compositions and his vast collection of books contributed to his
success.
C. His philosophy that was shaped and perfected through
the years can be appreciated and used by any reader of this book,
proving to be a useful tool for students.
Benjamin Franklin's success was derived by his lifestyle,
morale, ambition, and integrity. As a result I believe this book is
a good tool for students because it shows plenty of examples of how Benjamin's
qualities resulted in success and respect of all those who met him. The
autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, is also the autobiography of one of
America's greates writers, builders (participated in the creation of the
constitution), and thinkers. The oppurtinity to read Benjamin's autobiography
and absorb knowledge of how he achieved such great goals should be taken
by any ambitious students.
Throughout The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin
attains many different beliefs and pracitices of philosophy, evaluated their
effectiveness until finally he eventually had his own form of philosophy.
This is the idea of self - concept. Self-concept is the totality of
a complex, organized and dynamic system of learned beliefs,
attitudes and opinions that each person holds to be true
about his or her personal existence (Purkey, 1988). The
self - concept of Benjamin took years to build, and has been written in his
autobiography. This autobiography is not only a great teaching tool
but the key to one of America's greatest minds. One example of this
is when Benjamin was young - he always argued with contradiction and positive
argument, yet after he read Locke on Human Understanding, The Art of Thinking,
and Xenopon's Memorable Things of Socrates, it influenced Benjamin to attain
the style of argument as the humble inquirer (12). As students and
people many of us argue everyday in the fashion of contradiction and positive
arguement, if we could try to utilize the style of the humble inquier
and doubter I believe it should only result in a positive change.
Benjamin learned early on that falling into arguments on any subject
in front of company should be avoided (Franklin 10). This rule of arguement
supported is in the book Good Reasons by Lester Faigley and Jack Selzer.
It states people make judgements about you that are based on how you represent
yourself writiing and orally (81). This should be kept in mind by all students
as a good rule of arguement and representation of oneself. Another
practice in everyday life that student's could utilize is Benjamin's approach
to arguments. Benjamin states that he never approaches a situation
with an arguement that could result in disagreement (Franklin 13). Such
precautions hardly allow for defeat in an arguement. This is an approach
to arguement that student's would learn to be useful. Benjamin was incredible
with arguements with the use of his philosophy, an example was during his
employment with Keimer, a printer in Philadelphia. Keimer was always
defeated with Benjamin's arguements, and Keimer was so impressed he wanted
to propose arguements on paper and have Benjamin defeat anyone who challenged
them. This practiced philosophy in arguements by Benjamin Franklin
can be understood and practiced by students which could result in success
in many fields including politics, and public relations. Benjamin grew
to believe that truth, sincerity, and integrity between men are the utmost
importance to the felecity of life (Franklin 43). This belief, if practiced,
would result in better relations for anyone that encounters the student
or person who practices this belief. This is another great reason for students
to read this book. The shaping of Benjamin's philosophy shows examples
of relationships that only lead to success, these philosophies and beliefs
will only prove the life of the reader.
Benjamin had a great life as a printer, I find that
the majority of his success in printing is attributed to his ability to
write well, and his passion for reading. His love for reading started
at the age of 12 when he started his apprenticeship for printing with his
brother James. He would read a book everynight and return it every
morning before work. This love for reading will only proved to be to
his advantage in his life. Benjamin had a friend Collin at an early
age who always exchanged arguements verbally and in writing. When
Benjamin's dad found one of Benjamin's arguements, he remarked that the
spelling and grammer were great but he needed to work on his "elegance of
expression, in method and perciuity." Benjamin concentrated on this
aspect of writing until his style was shaped. This practice of composition
proved to be a great benefit to his life, whether sharing essays with his
friends or in political arguements or in his work environment. There was
a signifigant stepping stone in Benjamin's life proving the solid persuasive
qualities of his arguement, increasing his confidence in his writing. During
his apprenticeship with his brother James, many older people came to debate
and argue over the ongoing political arguements and printed them in the paper.
Benjamin disguised his handwriting and slipped his arguements under
the door. The next day, when the article was discovered the men were
pleased with the ingenuity of his paper (Franklin 14). This resulted
in a boost of confidence for Benjamin. Confidence in writing is a quality
that students will need to succeed in many fields; scientific, political,
religous, etc. A direct example of how Benjamin's passion for books
lead him into success through networking was shown on his trip to Philadelphia.
When governor Burnet heard that there was somebody on a boat to Philadelphia
he went to meet him(Franklin 25). This was Benjamin, who's love of
reading lead to a world of knowledge and powerful friends. Benjamin's love
for reading and his ability to write could be imitated by students and benefit
them throughout their career.
In conclusion, I believe that Benjamin became successful
because he had a self - made philosophy that was developed throughout his
life, a passion for reading, and an ingenious style of argument. The
examples set in this book have proved to me to be a great source of knowledge
for students study. Benjamin has influenced this nation's growth with
his inventions, theories, and famous qoutes. To have the availibility
to read his autobiography is a blessing to readers everywhere. The influence
of this book on this students would only positive, even through changing
times with changing morals. The references to women and minority groups
in this book should not be looked at with pervasive presentism but a comprehensive
look into the past. Without the conflict of persvasive presentism this
book an excellent teaching tool.
Works Cited
Faigley, Lester, and Jack Selzer. Good Reasons. Boston:
Allyn and Bacon 2000.
Fanklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjain Franklin. Mineola,
NY: Dover Publications, 1996
Purkey, W. W. (1988). An overview of self-concept theory
for counselors. An ERIC/CAPS Digest. Ann Arbor, MI: ERIC
Counseling and Personnel Services
Clearinghouse, The University of Michigan.