Appendix B

3. The author began with a fairly strong thesis stating "the power of the office has steadily increased since 1867," however I felt he did not effectively prove it. All of his points were valid and in order but did not support his claim. "The authority of [Canada's] highest statesman has grown too," from the second sentence is almost restating the thesis. He also includes statements that have to do with power, but not the amount of it. For example, "Macdonald's strength and stature made him appear pre-eminent amoung a number of able and imaginative leaders," is a good point but does not prove the power of the office today is stronger than in Macdonald's day. The author goes on to say the business of government today has "proliferated into an enormously complicated network of administration" but complicated does not mean the amount of power has increased. All of the author's points could be further explained or directed back to his thesis but he has failed to do so. Lastly, he concludes his paragraph with "the Prime Minister is still easily the most powerful man in the country" but in no way does that verify he is more powerful today than in 1867. Therefore I believe the main problem with this paragraph is that the author's points are not directed back to his thesis but otherwise he has thrown in some alright points.