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- Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:54 pm
#33600
Passage Discussion
Paragraph One:
The passage opens with a rather common paradigm in Reading Comprehension passages: the author outlines a problem and immediately proposes a solution. The problem, in this case, involves the high rate of bankruptcy among small farms; the solution, proposed by Booker Whatley, suggests that small farms can thrive despite the prevailing trend toward massive agricultural production. The last sentence captures Whatley’s main point, but does not delve into details about how small farms can become profitable. We can expect to learn more about that in the next paragraph.
Paragraph Two:
The second paragraph summarizes Whatley’s guidelines for small farmers, and is key to understanding the passage. Each recommendation represents the means of achieving a particular objective:
Paragraph Three:
Compared to the second paragraph, the third one plays a supporting role. Here, the author explains why “pick-your-own” farming makes financial sense: by using clients as harvesters, Whatley argues that small farmers can save money, undercut supermarkets and still operate the farm at a profit. Who are these clients, you may ask? Well, according to Whatley, they would be city dwellers who value fresh produce enough to drive to farms in order to harvest their own food.
You are completely justified in having a strong reaction to this line of reasoning. In fact, you should have a reaction. You may think it’s a great idea to pick your own kale, and that Whatley is awesome for advocating something you’ve been dying to do yourself. It is also OK if you see him as an absolute lunatic (“Me? On a farm?!”). Either way, having a strong reaction to the passage you read is tremendously helpful: it both reveals, and in turn promotes, an active, aggressive approach to Reading Comprehension that is critical to mastering this section. It also makes the whole sordid experience slightly more fun.
Paragraph Four:
The author concludes by outlining an additional set of recommendations for small farmers, and then restates Whatley’s main point. Particularly important is the caveat mentioned in the beginning of the paragraph: the success of Whatley’s plan depends on a farm’s location, on hard-surfaced roads close to the city. Whatley calls these roads “city-to-farm” (rather than “farm-to-market”). Make sure to notate each additional recommendation, and be prepared to reference that section of the text should a question require you to do so.
VIEWSTAMP Analysis
The primary Viewpoint presented here is that of Whatley, who argues that small farms can thrive by following certain guidelines. The farmers’ own position is never overtly discussed.
The general Structure of the passage is as follows:
The only Argument presented is that of Whatley, who proposes a solution to the problems associated with small-scale farming. The feasibility of his recommendations is the main point of the passage, and is supported by various observations in the third and fourth paragraphs.
The Main Point is to describe Whatley’s recommendations, the adoption of which is supposed to help small farms thrive despite the prevailing trends in agriculture.
Purpose:
In the broadest of terms, the author introduces a scholar who makes a series of recommendations to solve a growing problem in agriculture. While Whatley’s approach is inherently prescriptive in nature (telling farmers what to do), the purpose of the passage is purely descriptive (to summarize that approach).
Paragraph One:
The passage opens with a rather common paradigm in Reading Comprehension passages: the author outlines a problem and immediately proposes a solution. The problem, in this case, involves the high rate of bankruptcy among small farms; the solution, proposed by Booker Whatley, suggests that small farms can thrive despite the prevailing trend toward massive agricultural production. The last sentence captures Whatley’s main point, but does not delve into details about how small farms can become profitable. We can expect to learn more about that in the next paragraph.
Paragraph Two:
The second paragraph summarizes Whatley’s guidelines for small farmers, and is key to understanding the passage. Each recommendation represents the means of achieving a particular objective:
Objective Solution
1. Generate year-round cash flow 
Grow at least 10 different crops
2. Avoid taking on loans Clientele membership club (CMC)
3. Secure a market for all crops Grow only crops that clients ask for
Paragraph Three:
Compared to the second paragraph, the third one plays a supporting role. Here, the author explains why “pick-your-own” farming makes financial sense: by using clients as harvesters, Whatley argues that small farmers can save money, undercut supermarkets and still operate the farm at a profit. Who are these clients, you may ask? Well, according to Whatley, they would be city dwellers who value fresh produce enough to drive to farms in order to harvest their own food.
You are completely justified in having a strong reaction to this line of reasoning. In fact, you should have a reaction. You may think it’s a great idea to pick your own kale, and that Whatley is awesome for advocating something you’ve been dying to do yourself. It is also OK if you see him as an absolute lunatic (“Me? On a farm?!”). Either way, having a strong reaction to the passage you read is tremendously helpful: it both reveals, and in turn promotes, an active, aggressive approach to Reading Comprehension that is critical to mastering this section. It also makes the whole sordid experience slightly more fun.
Paragraph Four:
The author concludes by outlining an additional set of recommendations for small farmers, and then restates Whatley’s main point. Particularly important is the caveat mentioned in the beginning of the paragraph: the success of Whatley’s plan depends on a farm’s location, on hard-surfaced roads close to the city. Whatley calls these roads “city-to-farm” (rather than “farm-to-market”). Make sure to notate each additional recommendation, and be prepared to reference that section of the text should a question require you to do so.
VIEWSTAMP Analysis
The primary Viewpoint presented here is that of Whatley, who argues that small farms can thrive by following certain guidelines. The farmers’ own position is never overtly discussed.
The general Structure of the passage is as follows:
- Paragraph 1: Describe a problem affecting small farms, and introduce someone who has a solution (Booker T. Whatley).
Paragraph 2: Outline Whatley’s guidelines for operating a small farm.
Paragraph 3: Explain why “pick-your-own” farming is crucial for operating a small farm.
Paragraph 4: Explain the importance of location and list additional recommendations to help small farmers adopt Whatley’s solutions.
The only Argument presented is that of Whatley, who proposes a solution to the problems associated with small-scale farming. The feasibility of his recommendations is the main point of the passage, and is supported by various observations in the third and fourth paragraphs.
The Main Point is to describe Whatley’s recommendations, the adoption of which is supposed to help small farms thrive despite the prevailing trends in agriculture.
Purpose:
In the broadest of terms, the author introduces a scholar who makes a series of recommendations to solve a growing problem in agriculture. While Whatley’s approach is inherently prescriptive in nature (telling farmers what to do), the purpose of the passage is purely descriptive (to summarize that approach).