June Callwood’s “Altruism,” demonstrates the necessity of altruism: “unselfish interest in the welfare of others,” within a community. Callwood states that kindness impacts both the giver and receiver, thus, “if the level of goodwill were to drop, [...], we would be in sorry shape,” therefore, it is critical that society instills these values in the future generations. Callwood most effectively conveys her thesis through the use of example, contrast, cause and effect, as well as reference to authority. Firstly, Callwood exemplifies her thesis through Ursula Franklin, a professor of engineering at the University of Toronto who states, “I am not in charge of this university; I just work here,” suggesting that altruism is a “personal construct”…show more content… Based on the studies of the University of Michigan, Callwood states, “people who are caregivers are healthier than people who are not. There is something about helping others that contributes significantly to human well-being. When people no longer help someone. their health declines.” When engaging in the needs of others, the caregiver, as well as the receiver, experiences positivity, contributing to the sense of well-being. However, those who lack the positive experiences, developed from being helpful, may be more susceptible to anger and depression, hence, increases the stress on the cardiovascular system and on digestion, leading to poorer health. Thus, the different outcomes between altruistic and non altruistic individuals further supports Callwood’s thesis on it’s benefit towards both the giver and receiver, as well as its necessity within a community as a whole, hence, these values must be instilled in future generations to ensure the preservation of a civilized…show more content… Firstly, parallel structure can be used to organize text to show equal importance as well as create a pleasant rhythm in the author’s writing, thus, Callwood uses parallel structure to describe the results of insufficient altruism within a community, stating that “the absence of such involvement leads to social unrest, suspicion, isolation, and contempt.” The emphasized consequences that would result as level of goodwill continues to decrease demonstrates the dependence of society on altruism, further supporting Callwood’s thesis of its necessity, thus, must be instilled in the future generations to ensure its continuity. Secondly, Callwood questions readers, asking if the number of volunteers and the level of goodwill were to “[shrink] any more than it has, what will become of the aged, the disabled, the homeless, the poor, and the young?” The rhetorical question draws the reader’s attention to stop and think of the reliance built into a community and the need of many citizens, thus, readers are encouraged to move beyond “living behind walls” and “respond when others suffer anguish” to enable to sense of community, further emphasizing Callwood’s thesis of the importance of altruism in maintaining a just and unified society. Lastly, Callwood states that the 8% of donors and volunteers are “a pillar of enormous significance in maintaining a just and
