Let’s have an argument. As we begin to discuss the topic of whether or not to give money to panhandlers, and under what circumstances or conditions, we’ll experience the need to define some terms and lay out some causal conditions. We may even have to refute the good arguments made by classmates. In fifteen minutes, I hope to be able to illustrate the basics of persuasive argument.
Sample Claims
I always give to panhandlers
I give to female panhandlers
I give to panhandlers who are missing a limb
I give to panhandlers who convince me they’re wounded or ill
I give to panhandlers if I have spare pocket change
I give to panhandlers if I don’t have to look through my wallet for a small bill
I give to panhandlers if they keep their distance
I give to panhandlers I see every day or so
I give to panhandlers I think I’m unlikely to see ever again
I give to panhandlers who look truly desperate
I give to panhandlers who appear to be very temporarily down on their luck
I give to panhandlers who look employable if they got a haircut and a clean shirt
I give to panhandlers if they offer anything in return
I give to panhandlers whose signs show wit
I give to panhandlers whose signs demonstrate real need
I give to panhandlers who say they’re single parents or veterans
I give to panhandlers who say they will work for food
I give to panhandlers who I feel certain will use the money for food
I give to panhandlers if their signs mention God
I give to panhandlers whose stories move me
I give food to panhandlers, never money
I take panhandlers into stores and let them buy things
I buy panhandlers meals at outdoor restaurants
I look at panhandlers and smile
I mutter something to panhandlers as I pass
I apologize that I have no money to spare
I say I’ll help them shortly and then do
I say I’ll help them shortly and then don’t
I have brief conversations with panhandlers
I pretend I do not see or hear panhandlers
I never give to panhandlers
I never give to panhandlers whose signs mention God
I never give to panhandlers who are dressed at all well
I never give to male panhandlers
I never give to female panhandlers
I never give to panhandlers who ask aggressively
I never give to panhandlers who approach me at a stop sign in my car
I never give to panhandlers who make me feel trapped
I never give to panhandlers who block traffic or the sidewalk
I never give to panhandlers who use the same spot for years
I never give to panhandlers who “clean” my windshield
I never give to panhandlers who seem crazy
I never give to panhandlers who have cell phones
Go on the Record
In a Reply below, lay out your position on panhandlers in a few sentences, citing claims like those above or others that work better for you.
- At a minimum, go on the record about:
- What you actually do
- What you wish you could do
- What you know you should do
When we’ve committed to positions, we’ll “mix it up” for awhile and illustrate the basics of persuasive argument.
The Gamer 2.0
SleepyCat
Coffee Lover 03
doglover7025
Snowman10
excellentstudent27
Gymrat
hockeyfan
holistic25
ilovebeesss
ilovemydog
The Gamer
Naturechild101
BreakingBad45
ravensfan8
temporal111
thatpersonoverthere
toetio
username1132005
Calm&Patient
webbwrestler135
Counterintuitive Spring 2024 
What do I do? Give them money and pray for them
What do I wish I could do? Give them more than money, pray for them, and hope they gain some sort of outlet for them to get out of the situation
What do I know I should do? Pray for them and give them something because I do not know who they are or what they are going through
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1. I never give money to panhandlers.
2. I wish I could know what they would use it for before giving them anything. Sometimes panhandlers take money to go and buy drugs so as long as they are buying something useful and I know that I would give money.
3. I should still give things like food or water if not giving cash. They will make great use of food and water, there is no need to give cash if I can give the panhandler food and I wouldn’t have to worry about if they are buying drugs.
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What do I do? Give them money if I have enough money to give.
What do I wish I could do? Give them money, and food, and ask them what put them in that situation and how I can help.
What do I know I should do? Help them, in any type of way.
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I’ve never been in a position where i have personally given to a panhandler, for one i don’t really have change on me and two i don’t really leave my house because I’m trying to save money
I wish i could pressure billionaires to give their money to those in need and not have it published. They don’t need billions of dollars, or private jets. Or to pressure the government to incentive housing and caring for the homeless and disabled. and to enforce better child care incentives.
I should try to give whenever possible and work to become someone who can give without worry.
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what should I do:
I give them food more than money
I smile at them when I see them
What I wish I could do:
I wish I could help them more
I wish I could buy them a full meal
What I know I should do:
I know I should give them more than I do
I know I should donate my old clothes for them
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1. I give food to people that need it.
2. I wish I could give them a pretty good amount of money because a couple cents or dollars won’t help.
3. You should help the person.
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What I actually do:
Whenever I encounter someone on the street who seems to be struggling, I can’t help but feel a tug at my heartstrings. I often find myself reaching into my pocket to offer whatever spare change I have, hoping to provide even a small bit of relief to their difficult circumstances. Sometimes, I’ll go a step further and buy them a meal or some essentials, wanting to ensure they have something to eat or use.
What I wish I could do:
In an ideal world, I would love to be able to help every person I see who is in need. I wish I had unlimited resources so I could offer them not just temporary relief, but long-term support to help them get back on their feet. It pains me to see people struggling, and I wish I could do more to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
What I know I should do:
While I do my best to offer assistance to those I encounter, I know that simply giving spare change or food is not enough to address the root causes of homelessness and poverty. I recognize the importance of advocating for systemic change and supporting organizations that work to provide comprehensive support to those in need. Additionally, I know I should strive to treat every person with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
In essence, while I do what I can to help panhandlers in the moment, I am also committed to addressing the broader issues that contribute to their struggles and working towards meaningful change.
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1. I have never been approached by a panhandler
2. what I wish I could do is the same as what I know I should do, to help change society such that there is less homelessness, and I suppose I could still give some money to a panhandler if I were approached, but that’s a temporary bandage.
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1. When encountering panhandlers, I usually give them food/snacks and have a conversation with them if I have time.
2. I wish I could supply them with the resources they need to reach stability.
3. I know I should give because that’s the right thing to do. I believe we were put on this earth to help others, especially those who aren’t able to actively help themselves.
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1. What I actually do is either not give anything or give food if I have some food on me.
2. I wish that I could give them a good amount of money or anything that would help them in the long term but have it not hurt me in any way.
3. I know I should probably help whoever is asking me, but sometimes I do think about what they would use the money for and whether it will actually be to better themselves and their life.
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When I encounter panhandlers, I interact with them by smiling, sometimes having brief conversations, and giving the small amount that I have in my pocket. In the unfortunate case that I don’t have anything that day, I smile at them and will sometimes offer to get them something that’ll give them energy for the day (depending on what I’m actively doing). I wish I could give them life-changing amounts like I’m Mr.Beast so I could really help out. What I know that I should do is interact with them, and offer whatever I am personally comfortable giving.
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The reality of the situation is that I usually don’t give money to panhandlers. I have before, but the overarching question for me is if the money actually does go to good use. That will always be an unknown question. Alternatively, not necessarily a panhandler situation, but I graciously donated to a go fund me page to a friend of a friend who I did not know because she was 23 and pregnant and her fiancée suddenly died at the same ripe age. My point is if I know the story and deem it valid to beg/ask for money, I will give. It’s hard for me to give blindingly, rather I need a source of motivation.
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I never give to panhandlers who make me feel threatened
I wish I could do the right thing which is to be brave and give panhandlers food or money
I know I should give panhandlers anything I have that could be in use to them
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It depends. Sometimes I will give money to a panhandler If I have an encounter with one, and sometimes I don’t. It’s a nice thing to do, but sometimes I don’t have any cash on me. I’m slightly hesitant if they ask aggressively.
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1.What you actually do
2.What you wish you could do
3.What you know you should do
What do I actually do: I grew in the bronx, so I used to see this every day of my life. There are people who actually do take the money you give them and use it for drugs and other illegal things. Which is why I don’t really support them as I used to because some people would be greedy if you just give them a dollar and not more. Its the same as if god gives you one life to live but you’re greedy and you want an eternal one. You should appreciate What you are given and not be greedy. That person may also not know what you are going through yourself, and you are just helping them because you know you are in a bit of a situation yourself.
What I wish I can do? I wish I can just pick out those ones who I know will use that money for good instead of something terrible. There are those who have children who actually do need something ton help provide for their family, but they can’t because there are others out there who will do wrong and make the other people look bad. Then no one would want to give anyone anything because of that situation.
What you know you should do: what I know that I should do is I should rather than give money I should just buy food and give it to them for those who say they are hungry and want money. I would probably give them food and maybe $2 to at least help out their hungry and maybe help them put that money towards things if they actually save all the money they receive to put that towards something good.
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When I see a panhandler I give them any change or cash that I have, if I have any; or I’ll buy them something to eat.
I wish I could give them more money or food, and have the time to get to know their stories or just give them someone to talk to.
I know that I should be helping them in any way possible and I wish I knew more resources to help.
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