Question

Read this excerpt from Ani's evaluation of Dan DeLuca's argument in his article "Dylan's Nobel Prize Settles Debate: Rock Lyrics Are Poetry."
DeLuca offers a haphazard patchwork of reasoning and evidence that leaves the reader wondering whether he believes his own claim. He remains focused on Dylan's body of work, quoting not only supporters of the Nobel committee's choice, but also detractors. DeLuca also includes a liberal sampling of Dylan's song lyrics, but he largely leaves them to speak for themselves.

What evidence from the article best supports Ani’s evaluation? Select two options.

"The Swedish Academy's decision to honor Dylan set off an online debate, with Scottish Trainspotting novelist Irvine Welsh calling it 'an ill conceived nostalgia award wrenched from the rancid prostates of senile, gibbering hippies.'"

"On one end of Dylan's songwriting spectrum is the vengeful, resolute, and timeless 'Masters Of War' . . . . It’s high dudgeon at its finest: ‘Let me ask you one question: Is your money that good? / Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could?'"

"Many of Dylan’s most fervently loved songs—some of which actually are love songs—date from the 1960s, and his being honored at age 75 can be seen as an ultimate affirmation for the baby boomer generation."

"'Dylan has the status of an icon. His influence on contemporary music is profound, and he is the object of a steady stream of secondary literature,' the Nobel committee wrote."

"And it’s a good thing [his lyrics] have been published, because if you’ve gone to see the famously sneering and syllable-garbling Dylan play live in recent years, you probably couldn’t understand a word he was singing."

Answer 1

Ani analyses how "DeLuca's haphazard patchwork of reasoning and evidence leaves the reader wondering whether he believes his own claim".  According to Ani he quotes not only supporters of the Nobel price committee but also detractors. He includes a sampling of Dylan's lyrics and leaves them to speak for themselves.

The evidence (quotes) from the article that best supports Ani's evaluation are:

1. "And it’s a good thing [his lyrics] have been published, because if you’ve gone to see the famously sneering and syllable-garbling Dylan play live in recent years, you probably couldn’t understand a word he was singing."  

We could interpret this quote as contradictory, it is not necessarily for or against Dylan's Nobel Price. You could say he is confusing his readers, he seems to be against the sung lyrics and for the published ones.  

2. "On one end of Dylan's songwriting spectrum is the vengeful, resolute, and timeless 'Masters Of War' . . . . It’s high dudgeon at its finest: ‘Let me ask you one question: Is your money that good? / Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could?"

Ani also says that he does a sampling of the lyrics and allows them to speak for themselves.  This excerpt shows part of a lyric from the song "Masters of War".  He is not necessarily saying its a "good" or "bad" lyric, he describes it as: "vengeful, resolute, and timeless" the reader must decide about its quality or if it is the kind of work that deserves a Nobel Price.  

Answer 2

Answer:

"The Swedish Academy's decision to honor Dylan set off an online debate, with Scottish Trainspotting novelist Irvine Welsh calling it 'an ill conceived nostalgia award wrenched from the rancid prostrates of senile, gibbering hippies.'"

"On one end of Dylan's songwriting spectrum is the vengeful, resolute, and timeless 'Masters of War'....It's high dudgeon at its finest: 'Let e ask you one question: Is your money that good? / Will it buy you forgiveness?  Do you think that it could?'"