Sunday, April 19, 2009
Journal Entry
Today I will start the research I need to do for my persuasive essay that is due within the next couple of weeks. I hope that I can find a way to bring it all together in a clear, persuading way. I know this topic has so many different avenues. I think I will only focus on a few. Really, I want to focus on the topic I see it in my mind. We will see how it turns out.
Chapter 19 - Persuading Readers to Act - Exercise
Chapter 19: Persuading Readers to Act - Exercise
Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time - Pages 288 - 290 - Reading for Better Writing Exercise:
1. What is the writer arguing for and against? What does he want readers to do? Look at the question in the opening paragraph. What answer does Loeb present?
The writer is arguing for public participation. He wants the readers to be more active in speaking out and making this country and the world a better place for us and for our grandchildren to come. Loeb answers his question in paragraph one by telling the reader to stand up for what they believe in. He wants to the reader to understand that your voice/ opinion can matter. And he shows the reader some examples of how a person he knows and people from history have made a difference. He shows us how, in fact, people in history spent more time than you think in the causes for which they believed in.
2. What efforts does Loeb make to address readers’ questions, concerns, and opposing arguments? Are these efforts successful? Explain.
I think that Loeb points out in this essay how most people think that their voice does not matter or would never be heard no matter what they did or do. But he addresses this concern with his examples; showing how the people in these examples kept pushing and working towards the changes they believed in. With all their hard work it paid off for them in the end. Changes were made in favor of what they believed in.
3. Consider the examples Loeb offers: Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks. Do these examples work as support for the writer’s claims? Why or why not?
I believe these examples do work in favor of the writer’s claims. He shows the reader how these people; Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks kept working towards what they believed in. He showed how these individuals kept letting their voices be heard over and over again. He showed how maybe at first it seemed as though their claims went unnoticed or at first nothing changed. But with persistence, changes were made.
4. Broadly speaking, what is the author’s view of life, and how does that perspective come through in this essay?
I believe that the author’s view of life is that we, as human beings are not caring as much about the world around us. He believes that we are not thinking about the future of this world. We allow some to starve as others live with many riches. I believe the author thinks that we, as human begins, are not acting in a way that we should be. We allow extraordinary imbalances to take place. And most of all, we do not speak up about anything. We all kind of jut live in our own little bubbles. I think the author gives you something to think about when you read this essay. He makes you think of how you can change yourself to make a different in this world.
Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time - Pages 288 - 290 - Reading for Better Writing Exercise:
1. What is the writer arguing for and against? What does he want readers to do? Look at the question in the opening paragraph. What answer does Loeb present?
The writer is arguing for public participation. He wants the readers to be more active in speaking out and making this country and the world a better place for us and for our grandchildren to come. Loeb answers his question in paragraph one by telling the reader to stand up for what they believe in. He wants to the reader to understand that your voice/ opinion can matter. And he shows the reader some examples of how a person he knows and people from history have made a difference. He shows us how, in fact, people in history spent more time than you think in the causes for which they believed in.
2. What efforts does Loeb make to address readers’ questions, concerns, and opposing arguments? Are these efforts successful? Explain.
I think that Loeb points out in this essay how most people think that their voice does not matter or would never be heard no matter what they did or do. But he addresses this concern with his examples; showing how the people in these examples kept pushing and working towards the changes they believed in. With all their hard work it paid off for them in the end. Changes were made in favor of what they believed in.
3. Consider the examples Loeb offers: Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks. Do these examples work as support for the writer’s claims? Why or why not?
I believe these examples do work in favor of the writer’s claims. He shows the reader how these people; Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks kept working towards what they believed in. He showed how these individuals kept letting their voices be heard over and over again. He showed how maybe at first it seemed as though their claims went unnoticed or at first nothing changed. But with persistence, changes were made.
4. Broadly speaking, what is the author’s view of life, and how does that perspective come through in this essay?
I believe that the author’s view of life is that we, as human beings are not caring as much about the world around us. He believes that we are not thinking about the future of this world. We allow some to starve as others live with many riches. I believe the author thinks that we, as human begins, are not acting in a way that we should be. We allow extraordinary imbalances to take place. And most of all, we do not speak up about anything. We all kind of jut live in our own little bubbles. I think the author gives you something to think about when you read this essay. He makes you think of how you can change yourself to make a different in this world.
Chapter 19 - Persuading Readers to Act - Summary
Chapter 19: Persuading Readers to Act - Summary
This chapter is all about how to write a persuasive paper and getting the reader to change their behavior, thinking or act upon something in a certain way. In choosing a topic for this essay, this chapter recommends choosing a topic that you are passionate about. Maybe your topic will be related to a personal experience you have had that raised some questions or a personal idea, some thought or fear that you think of often. Maybe your topic will have to do with a concern of the community, national or international affairs, or something you may not have an opinion on now, but would like to have a stance on. Regardless of what your topic is, make sure that it is debatable and that you are trying to persuade your reader, not to manipulate them. You want to make sure that your voice in your paper is passionate, thoughtful and sincere. When writing a persuasive paper you need to address both sides to the argument; your side and then the opposing side. I think the biggest thing I learned in this chapter is that when writing a persuasive paper, you need to think about whether you want to write on the whole issue or just one aspect of it. I think when writing my persuasive paper, I will need to keep this in mind. I think with any issue really, you can go down so many different avenues with it. I think I will look at my issue in its entirety and then try to just choose one aspect of it to write about.
This chapter is all about how to write a persuasive paper and getting the reader to change their behavior, thinking or act upon something in a certain way. In choosing a topic for this essay, this chapter recommends choosing a topic that you are passionate about. Maybe your topic will be related to a personal experience you have had that raised some questions or a personal idea, some thought or fear that you think of often. Maybe your topic will have to do with a concern of the community, national or international affairs, or something you may not have an opinion on now, but would like to have a stance on. Regardless of what your topic is, make sure that it is debatable and that you are trying to persuade your reader, not to manipulate them. You want to make sure that your voice in your paper is passionate, thoughtful and sincere. When writing a persuasive paper you need to address both sides to the argument; your side and then the opposing side. I think the biggest thing I learned in this chapter is that when writing a persuasive paper, you need to think about whether you want to write on the whole issue or just one aspect of it. I think when writing my persuasive paper, I will need to keep this in mind. I think with any issue really, you can go down so many different avenues with it. I think I will look at my issue in its entirety and then try to just choose one aspect of it to write about.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Exercise
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Exercise
Reading for Better Writing - “An Apology for the Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll”
Pages 265 - 266 - Exercise:
1. The word apology can mean defense, as well as a statement of regret for wrongdoing. Is the use of the word fitting in the title? Why or why not?
I don’t really think that the word apology in the title of this article is fitting. I think that the use of that word in the title gives a tone of sarcasm to the article. I can see how the author uses the word apology in the title as more of a defense to the Barbie doll, but I am not sure if I’d use that word. I think I would have a title more along the lines of, “The Misjudged Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll.”
2. This essay is a counterargument that replies heavily on logic and personal experience for support. How does the writer treat the original source? How do concessions and rebuttals function in this argument?
I think the reader treats the original source with a great deal of insult. Almost as if this author feels the original source has no clue what they were talking about. I think that the idea to a good argumentative or persuasive paper is not to bash the opposing side, but to have an open mind and gently make rebuttals to it. I feel this author was offended deeply by the original source.
Reading for Better Writing - “An Apology for the Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll”
Pages 265 - 266 - Exercise:
1. The word apology can mean defense, as well as a statement of regret for wrongdoing. Is the use of the word fitting in the title? Why or why not?
I don’t really think that the word apology in the title of this article is fitting. I think that the use of that word in the title gives a tone of sarcasm to the article. I can see how the author uses the word apology in the title as more of a defense to the Barbie doll, but I am not sure if I’d use that word. I think I would have a title more along the lines of, “The Misjudged Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll.”
2. This essay is a counterargument that replies heavily on logic and personal experience for support. How does the writer treat the original source? How do concessions and rebuttals function in this argument?
I think the reader treats the original source with a great deal of insult. Almost as if this author feels the original source has no clue what they were talking about. I think that the idea to a good argumentative or persuasive paper is not to bash the opposing side, but to have an open mind and gently make rebuttals to it. I feel this author was offended deeply by the original source.
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Summary
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Summary
This chapter really focuses on teaching the reader how to take a stand on a topic and write a persuasive paper on that stand. There are guidelines that you need to follow in order to make this happen. The first step is to select and narrow a topic. You need to choose a topic that you care about and then decide which angle you would like to use to explain the topic. Before you start writing you need to make sure that you have a stance on your beliefs when it comes to the topic you chose. Then you want to build your position to be defendable. You need to make sure you understand all possible positions that are out there regarding your topic. You need to do some research, find pros and cons, statistics, analysis, experiences, observations, and/ or expert testimony on your subject. Make sure that you watch out for fallacies. You don’t want your writing to have any slanted language, generalizations, oversimplifications, or have either/ or thinking. Once you have researched your topic, you need to refine your position. In the chapter, they give you a formula to use, which is, “I believe this to be true about…” Then you can choose your organization method you wish to use for your essay. There are a few different types outlined in this chapter. These different methods are traditional pattern, blatant confessions, delayed gratification, changed mind or winning over. Once you decide how to organize your essay, you can write your first draft. You want to be sure to grab the reader’s attention, clarify and support your position, stress your position or ask the reader for action, and make sure to choose a bold title that offers a glimpse into your stance. Then you will want to get feedback, revise your writing, edit & proofread your essay and then publish it. When reading this chapter and looking over the guidelines outlined in this chapter for taking a position and writing a persuasive essay, I was thinking about my upcoming essay. I was thinking about what form of organization I would use. I think my plan right now is to use the traditional method of organization. This method has you introduce your issue, state your position, support it, address and refute the opposition and then restate your issue to close. I think this method will work best for me. Who knows, maybe once I start my research, my organization method of my upcoming essay will change. We will have to see.
This chapter really focuses on teaching the reader how to take a stand on a topic and write a persuasive paper on that stand. There are guidelines that you need to follow in order to make this happen. The first step is to select and narrow a topic. You need to choose a topic that you care about and then decide which angle you would like to use to explain the topic. Before you start writing you need to make sure that you have a stance on your beliefs when it comes to the topic you chose. Then you want to build your position to be defendable. You need to make sure you understand all possible positions that are out there regarding your topic. You need to do some research, find pros and cons, statistics, analysis, experiences, observations, and/ or expert testimony on your subject. Make sure that you watch out for fallacies. You don’t want your writing to have any slanted language, generalizations, oversimplifications, or have either/ or thinking. Once you have researched your topic, you need to refine your position. In the chapter, they give you a formula to use, which is, “I believe this to be true about…” Then you can choose your organization method you wish to use for your essay. There are a few different types outlined in this chapter. These different methods are traditional pattern, blatant confessions, delayed gratification, changed mind or winning over. Once you decide how to organize your essay, you can write your first draft. You want to be sure to grab the reader’s attention, clarify and support your position, stress your position or ask the reader for action, and make sure to choose a bold title that offers a glimpse into your stance. Then you will want to get feedback, revise your writing, edit & proofread your essay and then publish it. When reading this chapter and looking over the guidelines outlined in this chapter for taking a position and writing a persuasive essay, I was thinking about my upcoming essay. I was thinking about what form of organization I would use. I think my plan right now is to use the traditional method of organization. This method has you introduce your issue, state your position, support it, address and refute the opposition and then restate your issue to close. I think this method will work best for me. Who knows, maybe once I start my research, my organization method of my upcoming essay will change. We will have to see.
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