Chapter nine is all about constructing an argument, which will be useful for the huge research paper due in December. The topics in this chapter include considering counterarguments, responding to the research question, developing a thesis, and constructing an argument through ethos, pathos, and logos. When first looking at the topics of this chapter, I think the part about developing a thesis is the most important. If a paper doesn't have a thesis, then the paper doesn't have anything, including an argument. The most important part of forming an effective thesis is to develop a thesis statement, which is a specific statement of my position on an issue.
On page 162, the chapter discusses how to support an argument. The best way to create an effective argument is to appeal to the reader by using ethos, pathos, and logos. A way to develop ethos (credibility) is to tell the readers about your own personal experience with the topic. To develop an emotional argument, explain why you are personally invested in this topic and what motivates you to keep researching this topic.
Lastly, the most important part of this chapter is recognizing how to develop a counterargument. You do this by identifying possible arguments from opposing opinions. Look for flaws in your research or claims and perceive how others may view your topic or argument. Then, fill those gaps in research and claims with the proper information and form any possible rebuttals in the paper. A tip the chapter gives on page 190 is to have others look over your claims and rebuttals, and see if they can find anything else that you may have missed.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
More Textbook Reading
For this week, we were assigned to do read chapters six and seven in our textbook. Chapter six is titled, "reading resources rhetorically," and explores the context of a resource, summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting from resources, and annotating while you read. The part I was most interested in and focused on the most was the part of the reading that had to do with annotating resources. This is because I have never done an annotated bibliography before and I have heard it is an enormous pain in the ass. A major tip the author gave was on page 117 and stated that when annotating for a large research paper, you should spend time looking at the source's claim, reasons, and evidence. The claim is defined as: the overall point that the resource is making/its thesis. Evidence is also very important because it provides a backbone for the resource's claims. If there is no evidence, then there isn't a legitimate claim. Another thing in chapter six i thought was good information was the reminder that when writing a summary, you aren't including all the details, just enough information for easy comparison with other resources.
Chapter seven was about tracking and evaluating data, which includes filling any gaps in research to build a strong argument and keeping track of the resources you've found. The most critical information in this chapter is about filling in the gaps in research and can be found starting on page 135. The biggest tip is to not wait until the end to verify, copy, and respond to your sources. Copying everything as you go ensures that you won't lose the information or its importance to your research paper/project. After getting many sources, pick the two strongest and check the book, website, etc to see if they provide a bibliography or other sources.
Chapter seven was about tracking and evaluating data, which includes filling any gaps in research to build a strong argument and keeping track of the resources you've found. The most critical information in this chapter is about filling in the gaps in research and can be found starting on page 135. The biggest tip is to not wait until the end to verify, copy, and respond to your sources. Copying everything as you go ensures that you won't lose the information or its importance to your research paper/project. After getting many sources, pick the two strongest and check the book, website, etc to see if they provide a bibliography or other sources.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Mysterious Blog Post
I honestly have no idea what this week's blog post is supposed to be about. I have fleeting memories of Stephanie saying something about our blog post, but it was while we were all shuffling our stuff. Thus, I didn't hear what she said and it appears that no one else did either. However, it appears that most people are writing about research again, so I will continue with that topic.
Thankfully this blog allows me to speak freely so I am going to be honest about our research paper assignment: I think it is really ridiculous that are topic has to relate to something with writing. Don't get me wrong, I love writing. I like to write; however, using writing as a topic for a several-page paper sounds simply awful. In the real world, not everything relates back to writing. Isn't it enough that we are incorporating writing into our research papers by WRITING it? I had a unique and interesting topic that could relate to most of the class but because it has little to do with writing, I can't use it.
Our class even read in our textbook that students do better on research papers when they are writing about a topic we enjoy. Writing about writing creates so many topic constriction, that I feel as if my topic has already been chosen for me. I just don't know what direction to take the guideline of writing about writing, and it makes me frustrated and not a happy camper. Can't I write about something that interests me? We will be dealing with these papers for over two months, and I don't know how I will keep my sanity while creating a paper that bores me and most likely won't interest my audience.
Thankfully this blog allows me to speak freely so I am going to be honest about our research paper assignment: I think it is really ridiculous that are topic has to relate to something with writing. Don't get me wrong, I love writing. I like to write; however, using writing as a topic for a several-page paper sounds simply awful. In the real world, not everything relates back to writing. Isn't it enough that we are incorporating writing into our research papers by WRITING it? I had a unique and interesting topic that could relate to most of the class but because it has little to do with writing, I can't use it.
Our class even read in our textbook that students do better on research papers when they are writing about a topic we enjoy. Writing about writing creates so many topic constriction, that I feel as if my topic has already been chosen for me. I just don't know what direction to take the guideline of writing about writing, and it makes me frustrated and not a happy camper. Can't I write about something that interests me? We will be dealing with these papers for over two months, and I don't know how I will keep my sanity while creating a paper that bores me and most likely won't interest my audience.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Peer Review, Yo
This week, our blog post is about peer review and its place in our English class.
Peer review is very important!! This last Thursday in English, we partnered up with a classmate to participate in peer review. I believer peer review is very important because reading other students' papers allows you to see errors in your own writing and gives you ideas about what you could do better. I did my peer review with Nathan and his paper helped me a little bit with my own paper.
One thing that always drives me nuts; however, about peer review are the students that give nothing but positive comments about my paper. Honestly, if I wanted to be praised about my writing, I would just have my mother read my work. I value critique over praise because it helps me improve my paper. I know that I'm a good writer, what I don't know is how to improve my writing. No matter how awesome a piece of writing it, it can be improved upon! Unfortunately, the only real feedback I got from my peer reviewer was positive, so it was a bit frustrating. However, reading my piece aloud to him helped my see I needed to improve fluency, paragraph format, etc.
Not only is peer review important because evaluating student work helps you improve your own, it is also good to see where other people are at in their writing because we are all writing for the same audience, our professor who hands out our grades. I like to see how other people play up that audience because it helps me determine what I am doing right and what I need to improve in order to properly entertain my professor.
Peer review is very important!! This last Thursday in English, we partnered up with a classmate to participate in peer review. I believer peer review is very important because reading other students' papers allows you to see errors in your own writing and gives you ideas about what you could do better. I did my peer review with Nathan and his paper helped me a little bit with my own paper.
One thing that always drives me nuts; however, about peer review are the students that give nothing but positive comments about my paper. Honestly, if I wanted to be praised about my writing, I would just have my mother read my work. I value critique over praise because it helps me improve my paper. I know that I'm a good writer, what I don't know is how to improve my writing. No matter how awesome a piece of writing it, it can be improved upon! Unfortunately, the only real feedback I got from my peer reviewer was positive, so it was a bit frustrating. However, reading my piece aloud to him helped my see I needed to improve fluency, paragraph format, etc.
Not only is peer review important because evaluating student work helps you improve your own, it is also good to see where other people are at in their writing because we are all writing for the same audience, our professor who hands out our grades. I like to see how other people play up that audience because it helps me determine what I am doing right and what I need to improve in order to properly entertain my professor.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Wadsworth Guide to Research
For this blog post, the class and I were told to read over the first three chapters of our course textbook, The Wadsworth Guide to Research. When given this assignment, I was skeptical on how much the reading would help me and if I would even manage to stay awake during the readings.
While the first three chapters helped me a little bit, I was right about the boring aspect of this reading. On page one of chapter one, the authors state that "we"ll" explore reasons for conducting research, the rhetorical situation's effects on writing and research and similarities and differences between academic research and research for other purposes. Yuck, right? In the first chapter, I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. The authors state write that "you might be surprised to realize that you've been conducting research for a long time." They go on to say that it is considered research whenever we ask ourselves a question and then continue in a "research" process to come to a conclusion. This information did not surprise me at all, I thought everyone knew this basic information.
One thing I did like, but already knew, was the statement that one must complete every step in the writing process during research in chapter two. I liked this statement because I often do not follow the "linear" writing process. I usually skip around and almost never create the kind of pre-writing they suggest, such as making those awful bubble outlines that confuse you more than help.
On page 35 of chapter three, the authors mention something called kairos. Kairos is defined as "a moment that inspires you or compels you to write." I experience karios all the time, I just never knew there was a fancy term for it, I just referred to it as inspiration. That was the most interesting thing in chapter three, in my opinion, because it taught me something new.
While the first three chapters helped me a little bit, I was right about the boring aspect of this reading. On page one of chapter one, the authors state that "we"ll" explore reasons for conducting research, the rhetorical situation's effects on writing and research and similarities and differences between academic research and research for other purposes. Yuck, right? In the first chapter, I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. The authors state write that "you might be surprised to realize that you've been conducting research for a long time." They go on to say that it is considered research whenever we ask ourselves a question and then continue in a "research" process to come to a conclusion. This information did not surprise me at all, I thought everyone knew this basic information.
One thing I did like, but already knew, was the statement that one must complete every step in the writing process during research in chapter two. I liked this statement because I often do not follow the "linear" writing process. I usually skip around and almost never create the kind of pre-writing they suggest, such as making those awful bubble outlines that confuse you more than help.
On page 35 of chapter three, the authors mention something called kairos. Kairos is defined as "a moment that inspires you or compels you to write." I experience karios all the time, I just never knew there was a fancy term for it, I just referred to it as inspiration. That was the most interesting thing in chapter three, in my opinion, because it taught me something new.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Sims and NBA Reveal Truths of Life
I greatly enjoyed Chuck Klosterman's excerpt from "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs." The paper was an example of a technology narrative and centered around Chuck's experience with the popular PC game, The Sims.
I especially liked this piece because I could completely relate to it and found myself laughing along with his examples that only people who have played Sims would understand. In high school, I loved playing The Sims 2 and have have had the same thoughts about life as Chuck had while playing this highly addictive game. Its true that you get sucked into the game and have to think within the confines of the game.
My favorite section is on page 18 when Chuck writes, "And why isn't my SimChuck happy? Because he's a self-absorbed, materialistic prick." As an ex-player of The Sims, I understand the frustration of having to "please" the sim.
I thought this was a very effective technology narrative because it focuses on how a specific technology affected Chuck's life and made him think about his philosophical ideals. I could relate to it and will mostly likely model my own technology narrative after his.
I found Chuck Klosterman's other excerpt about the similarities of the NBA and life to be not as entertaining as his paper on The Sims, but his writing style kept me interested.
This essay was not about technology but was an explanation of how the NBA is an example of reality and life. He claims that NBA is the only game that matters because it's exactly like life. I like his comparison of the NBA not having known outcomes but still being controlled by dark, powerful sources. I also found it interesting that Chuck stated the Lakers-Celtic rivalry represents race, religion, politics, and mathematics.
I especially liked this piece because I could completely relate to it and found myself laughing along with his examples that only people who have played Sims would understand. In high school, I loved playing The Sims 2 and have have had the same thoughts about life as Chuck had while playing this highly addictive game. Its true that you get sucked into the game and have to think within the confines of the game.
My favorite section is on page 18 when Chuck writes, "And why isn't my SimChuck happy? Because he's a self-absorbed, materialistic prick." As an ex-player of The Sims, I understand the frustration of having to "please" the sim.
I thought this was a very effective technology narrative because it focuses on how a specific technology affected Chuck's life and made him think about his philosophical ideals. I could relate to it and will mostly likely model my own technology narrative after his.
I found Chuck Klosterman's other excerpt about the similarities of the NBA and life to be not as entertaining as his paper on The Sims, but his writing style kept me interested.
This essay was not about technology but was an explanation of how the NBA is an example of reality and life. He claims that NBA is the only game that matters because it's exactly like life. I like his comparison of the NBA not having known outcomes but still being controlled by dark, powerful sources. I also found it interesting that Chuck stated the Lakers-Celtic rivalry represents race, religion, politics, and mathematics.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
First 104 Post
After reading the three required readings, I found them to be very diverse. I am pretty familiar with literacy narratives because they were discussed in my high school Creative Writing classes. However, I used the Blackboard links to refresh my memories and look for information I may have lost in the year and a half since high school.
I watched the video and read the links on Blackboard, and there was one in particular I found interesting; Facebook vs. Twitter. The article talked about the intellectual differences in using the two very different social networking sites. The article stated that Facebook is much more intellectually stimulating than Twitter because Facebook is more complex information and Twitter is straightforward. I do not agree with this article but it was interesting to see another point of view.
Out of all three of the readings, I enjoyed the "Twitterature" piece the most. I thought using tweets rather than a standard format of writing a paper was a clever adaptation to today's social media outlets. I believe that Twitter is an important social networking site that is not utilized as much as it should be. Twitter was described to me as being involved with the people "you wish you knew and were friends with," versus Facebook being the people you are actually around every day. It might sound odd wanting to be connected to people you WISH you knew, but in the professional world, Twitter is widely used and is considered an important element to reach customers and/or the public. (Excuse me if my love for Public Relations comes through my blog posts and if I continue to rant about the importance of Twitter.)
http://twitter.com/tanyagabrish
I watched the video and read the links on Blackboard, and there was one in particular I found interesting; Facebook vs. Twitter. The article talked about the intellectual differences in using the two very different social networking sites. The article stated that Facebook is much more intellectually stimulating than Twitter because Facebook is more complex information and Twitter is straightforward. I do not agree with this article but it was interesting to see another point of view.
Out of all three of the readings, I enjoyed the "Twitterature" piece the most. I thought using tweets rather than a standard format of writing a paper was a clever adaptation to today's social media outlets. I believe that Twitter is an important social networking site that is not utilized as much as it should be. Twitter was described to me as being involved with the people "you wish you knew and were friends with," versus Facebook being the people you are actually around every day. It might sound odd wanting to be connected to people you WISH you knew, but in the professional world, Twitter is widely used and is considered an important element to reach customers and/or the public. (Excuse me if my love for Public Relations comes through my blog posts and if I continue to rant about the importance of Twitter.)
http://twitter.com/tanyagabrish
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