Morning Section for 2/24/09

We ran out of classtime, so I'll be having you do one long journal assignment on Thursday. If you missed it this Tuesday, don't fret. I've added links to the library webpage, the Yale on-line courses, and Opposing Viewpoints.

In today's class, we discussed reader and writer-based prose. When I write something for myself, that only I can understand, I write something that is writer-based. Your notes for classes are likely very writer-based. If I read them, I may not understand everything you're talking about. They are particular to you, they may not be well-edited, and they lack context. Unless I'm in the class you're taking, the notes won't be helpful to me.

Reader-based prose, on the other hand, is written with the reader in mind. The writer consciously sat down and created something that he or she knew the reader of the paper would understand. If your paper is reader-based, it could be understood and enjoyed by someone who has not been in your class or read the material you've read. To create reader-based prose, you must do more than just edit and organize your paper in a careful way. You must write with the reader in mind. In the case of your comparison and contrast paper, your reader does not about certain things, so you must fill them in on the missing information. They may not know propaganda is used in advertising. They have probably never read the Ann McClintock article. Your job is to explain the material you read to them as you are comparing your ads.

Today we also discussed creating an argument paper:

Argument: Chapter 17 (246-267)

Argument

Take a position on an issue and offers reasons and supporting evidence to convince someone to accept/consider that position.

Argument and Persuasion

Argument Papers

◦Build a case using logic (logos)

◦Rely heavily on facts

◦Appeal to your brain

Persuasion Papers

◦Build a case using emotional appeals (pathos)

◦Rely heavily on personal experience ◦Appeal to your heart

◦Persuasion=“to plead with”

Argument and Opinion

An opinion is a point of view you hold

◦“A belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge”

◦You may present it with or without evidence

◦It may be biased

◦Often begin with phrases like “I think/believe”

Opinions are a good starting place for forming an argument

Good Arguments

Take strong positions on an issue and tell what action needs to be taken

Give good reasons and evidence to defend the position

Consider differing views

Are energetic

Main Point (Thesis) The position you take on the issue —Issue + Position=main point

Make your main point as specific as possible

Support

Consists of reasons for your argument

◦Evidence

Facts=Statements that can be proved true

Statistics=numerical facts based on research

Examples=experience or information

Expert opinion=the opinion of an expert

Addressing opposing opinions

◦Shows that you are being unbiased

◦Makes your argument stronger

Organization Order of importance

◦Used for your reasons you take a certain position on an issue

◦Arrange your points from weakest to strongest point