College Composition 2

Is PTSD Contagious?

• “Who he is now is a handsome guy in his 60s with a white beard, big but well kept, who refers to his wife as “‘my bride’” after nine years.” I believe this claim is an evaluative claim. This is an evaluative claim because the author is describing the characteristics of Steve. For instance, the man is handsome and has a big butt that is well kept. Lol.
• “I see them handle each other with immense patience” I believe this an evaluative claim because the author sees the characteristic of patience within the relationship of Charlene and Steve.
• “Charlene has long, graying dark hair parted down the middle and super-serious eyes” I believe this to be a claim because the author is describing the characteristics of Charlene.
• “He loves me a lot, I’ve never known love like this. He is…awesome.” I believe this to be a causal claim made by Charlene. This is because Steve loves Charlene a lot and that is what makes him awesome.
• “These most recent years, Steve is funnier” I believe this to be a comparative claim because Charlene believes Steve has gotten funnier compared to Steve a few years ago who was not as funny as Steve is now.
• “I can feel him slipping down—it’s like this…vortex, this hole. And I try to grab him, like, ‘No! Don’t go down there!’ He can still get really depressed.” I believe this is an analogy claim; made by Charlene because she is relating Steve slipping into a vortex or hole to Steve’s depression.
• “She saved my life” is a causal claim made by Steven. I believe this because Steve has PTSD and if it was not for PTSD Charlene would not have been able to save his life.
• Of the soldiers coming home with PTSD now, he says, “You need time. You need time, and perspective.” I believe this claim to be a recommendation or proposal claim. This is because Steve is recommending to his fellow veterans that time is needed before re adjusting to life away from a highly dangerous field of work.
• “The VA rated Steve at 100 percent PTSD disabled” I believe this to be a numerical claim. This is because the VA rated Steve a 100 percent PTSD disabled. This means he is completely suffering from PTSD.
• “He saw guys get thrown around in explosions the way Caleb got thrown around in explosions” I believe this claim is an analogy. I believe it is an analogy because he is comparing himself to Caleb.