In William Cronon’s article “Only Connect…” he outlines what a liberal education means. Cronon’s article is for people who have either graduated from a liberal arts school or who plan on attending one, but they don’t know what it means to have a liberal arts education. Cronon begins his article with what having a liberal education meant back in the 1800s to what it is now. Cronon says now it is having courses not in the students major, so they become more well-rounded. Cronon’s main point, though, is that it doesn’t matter what the curriculum is, but more the qualities a person should have by the time they go through their liberal education. Cronon’s evidence is that many people have forgotten the attended purpose of a liberal education. Cronon’s says the main point of a liberal education are ten attributes he believes every liberal educated person should have.

I cannot say whether I found Cronon’s article persuasive or not because I already agreed with them. I did not find anything on his list shocking, I agreed with everything he said. The other problem is I know a couple people who have not had a liberal education, but from a tech school, and they still have his ten attributes. I believe that his list of ten can be written in three steps; 1 appreciate people for who they are, 2 be able to problem solve, and 3 learn how to communicate effectively.

To make a clear distinction between Cronon’s ideas and my own I must make sure either “Cronon’s” or “My/I” is in every sentence.

Though it is not specifically stated in the text, “Only Connect” I believe William Cronon is responding to those who are not aware of what a ‘liberal arts’ education is.  According to the reading, liberal arts is not an education base on political liberalism, instead it celebrates human freedom to chose an education for oneself. Cronon repeatedly states that the point of a liberal arts education is to connect with others whether that being with writing, speaking, listening, understanding, solving puzzles, and empower. Conon’s argument is to connect with everyone we meet and to empower those around us.  He also states that one cannot just achieve a liberal arts education, it is more of a lifestyle choice to connect and positively influence those around us. I personally found it more educational and motivating rather than persuasive. I thought this because it did not seem that Cronon was convincing people to pursue liberal arts, instead he was informing those on how to live a liberal arts lifestyle.

According to the book, “They Say, I say” the writer/I needs to explain what he/she is responding to in a response and then make a new individual point. If I were to make a distinction between my ideas and Cronan it would be best to explain which point of Cronon’s I am responding to and then introduce my idea after. One way of doing this is by starting with a quotation, fact/statistic, or anecdote that ties to the view I am commenting on.  It is important to do so in order for the reader or listener to understand where my point is coming from as well as the original argument.

In the article “Only Connect…”, William Cronon offers his stance in an argumentative fashion of the qualities that a true liberal arts educated person should possess. He is responding to the people and educators who try to produce liberally educated people by creating a sort of “formula.” They are the people that are part of the educational system that list the necessary courses that students must take in order to achieve a liberal education and say that the purpose of a liberal arts education is to complete this set of courses. Although it is easy to follow this, Cronon states that the essence of a liberal arts education is something much more and far greater than that. To him, it is one that fosters growth, freedom, and ten qualities that he goes on to list.

His central argument is that success in school needs to be calculated by how well students live up to these ten important qualities and only then can people be described to be liberally educated. To support this, Cronon gives an example of a real institution that lists the four aims of a liberal education and explains that “it is hardly a statement that stirs and inspires the soul.” This is evidence as to what an institution should not do to create liberally educated people. As to what an institution should do, his list is a good source for what universities and schools should strive to incorporate inside and outside the classroom. In a sense, it offers the ideal example of a liberally educated person and serves as a template to mimic.

I find Cronon’s argument to be extremely persuasive because he presents a counter-arguement, his argument and reasons to support both. His extensive and well-explained list also shows that he has spent a lot of time pondering, researching, and studying what comprises a liberally educated individual. I also find his conclusion that presents the two warnings that deal with individualism and liberal education as a lifestyle shows that the author is aware of what he is explaining. He even admits that what he had said earlier in the text is misleading. Further, I found his concluding paragraph to be very persuasive and inspiring because it ties the whole text to the idea of human connection and love for one another. It evokes the idea that a liberal education serves not only oneself, but the community. However, to make a clear distinction between Cronon’s ideas and my own, I would like to read about how other people define someone as liberally educated because it can potentially mean something different to everyone, and then I can see where my stance lies.

William Cronon is talking about people who oppose liberal education. These people believe liberal education is in place to brainwash people and create ideological zealots that spout brainwashed ideals. This is the only purpose of liberal education in the minds of these skeptics, mainly because they have been brainwashed by their own ideals and cannot see the other side of the argument.

The other side of the arguement is that liberal education is in place to help peoples minds fluorish. This is done by subjecting people to a wide array of opinions and points of view so the student can see all sides of the problem or arguement. By educating people this way they become true scholars with a genuine passion for learining and knowledge. Cronon uses evidence of how people who are educated in a liberal fashion have the ability to listen, read, talk, write, and solve problems more effectively than others.

I find this arguement to be very persuasive because without considering all points of view you become narrowminded, to truly learn you must open your mind to all possiblities.