Questions:

1) Why did Shields challenged Lincoln to fight a duel?

A: He was ridiculed by Lincoln repeatedly, and turned to duel to settle the dispute, which was then the practice to settle a quarrel over a point of honor.

2) Why did Lincoln think, from the author’s guess, in this way?

A: Battle of Gettysburg was the most brutal one of the entire Civil War, leaving the largest number of casualties. Lincoln came to understand why General Meade refused his order to launch a new attack.

3) Why did Mark Twain lose his temper occasionally?

A: Twain had a peculiar idea upon spelling mistakes, which he thought created a unique effect. Besides, some of his protagonists, say Huck, were not well educated, and always gave a poor pronunciation.

Alliteration 头韵（修辞）：

The repetition of an initial consonant sound, as in “a peck of pickled peppers.” It creates a rhythm to draw the readers’ attention.

✔my ears had been pierced with the screams and shrieks (Para. 11)

✔Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain (Para. 17)

✔this proud and precise pilot (Para. 21)

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” It evokes a sense of rhythm and sound within the line almost like a drum, pounding against an object like a boat against waves. — A famous example from The Great Gatsby

4) How do you think Carnegie’s idea of not criticizing? Do you think his argument convincing

A: The anecdotes he uses are more legendary and cannot prove anything. He uses the word “criticize” rather loosely and treats it as synonymous with “ridicule”, “condemn” and “insult”. Actually, to criticize does not have to be any of these. A sincere advice would be welcome, which may strengthen mutual understanding and friendship rather than otherwise. He asks people not to criticize, but isn’t he criticizing and ridiculing those who do?

Discussions:

1) Can you make a distinction between constructive criticism and destructive criticism?

2) Isn’t the author being illogical when he is arguing against criticism while criticizing those who criticize?