Blog #13

In chapter 9 of Writing Analytically, the chapter talks about the purpose of an argument with an introduction to the rules of an argument. There are three viewpoints on an argument:

•       Formal Argument Analysis: The Syllogism and the Toulmin Model
•       Rogerian Argument and Practical Reasoning
•       Figurative Logic: Reasoning with Metaphors

The Rules of an Argument: Syllogism and Enthymeme

The Aristotelian model is the syllogism. There are three parts that consist in this model. The major premise is a general proposition presumed to be true. A minor premise is a subordinate proposition also presumed to be true. The conclusion is a claim that follows logically from the two premises, if the argument has been properly framed. It gives an example to understand easier:

And here is my example of what I understand:

            All actors are handsome.

            Chris Hemsworth is an actor.

            Therefore, Chris Hemsworth is handsome.

Toulmin’s Alternative Model of the Sylopgiam

Philosopher Stephen Toulmin studies arguments as we see them in everyday life instead of mathematical formulations. A good argument connects the whole discussion together. You need a claim that is a standpoint which is presented by a writer. Data is the evidence which supports the claim. A warrant is a general principle or reason for connecting particular data to a particular claim. A claim is a conclusion about the data. Here is Toulmin’s example:

            Data: Harry was born in Bermuda.

            Warrant: The relevant statutes provide that people born in the colonies of British

    parents are entitled to British citizenship.

            Claim: So, presumably, Harry is a British citizen.

                              

Rogerian Argument and Practical Reasoning

Both Rogers and Booth’s goal is the need to be able to understand and accurately represent the positions of “opponents” in an argument (196). This goal is important because of the standard in academic writing, where you try to put different points of views into the conversation rather than just argue about one view point. Also, there are two examples to illustrate how qualifying your claims and checking for the unstated assumptions upon which your claims depend on, can remedy the two primary problems created by categorical thinking: unqualified claims and overstated positions. So, you should more carefully limit the claims.

Figurative Logic: Reasoning with Metaphors

The Logic of Metaphor

•      Metaphors pervade our ways of thinking
•      Metaphor is a way of thinking by analogy
•       The logic of metaphors is implicit
•      The implicit logic of metaphors can be made explicit by scrutinizing the language
•      We can recast figurative language to see and evaluate its arguments just as we recast language to examine its logic in syllogistic form
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The last section of this chapter is about fallacies. Fallacies are false moves that can subvert arguments and interpretations. It is in the categories Pathos, Ethos, and Logos from classical rhetoric. It is important because it appeals to the audience’s emotions. If you understand fallacies, you can easily to avoid them in constructing arguments and in analyzing the arguments of others. 

Blog #12

In the process of writing, it is important to know how to start and end a piece of writing. These parts of your writing are called the introduction and conclusion. In chapter 16 of Writing Analytically, the chapter talks about how to write your introduction and conclusion in a better way. These are important in your writing; an introduction shows what your paper is going to about. The Latin root of the word introduction means “within” and “to lead or bring”. This means exactly what you are trying to say at the beginning of any writing. You are supposed to lead into the conversation instead of just saying what you want to say. This is kind of like when you talk to someone. You say “Hi, how are you?” so that you do not sound rude or too quick to ask someone something. Many professional works are better when you have an introduction, “in fact, papers in the humanities often begin [this] way” (356). The information that you write in the introduction must be relevant; “in deciding how much to introduce up front, you must make a series of difficult choices about what to include and exclude” (357). Sometimes you write too much or too little about your paper. A good introduction will make your whole paper better. There are many ways to begin your paper. These are “challenge a commonly held view”, “begin with a definition”, “lead with your second-best example”, and “exemplify the topic with a narrative.” You can start by asking a question that society is controversial about or maybe has an opinion about. This will usually make readers more interested in your topic. Another way is to define a word that goes with your theme. That way readers know what you are about to talk about. Another good way is to make a narrative or personal story about the topic. 

                                          

Now for the conclusion, “the concluding paragraph presents the paper’s final “So what?”(361). This is the last chance for you to convince readers about your point of to make a last impression. “At the end, the writer should rephrase the original research question and discuss it in light of the results presented”(363). You are supposed to restate your purpose, not repeat it. It is supposed to connect everything that you have said.  This creates some problems because sometimes you do not know where to stop when you are gathering all of the ideas. Some problems are “redundancy”, “raising a totally new point”, “overstatement”, and an “anticlimax”. You can be repetitive or even make up new points that you were not supposed to do. The conclusion is a sum of ideas. 

                                          

Blog #11

For my first draft of writing project #2, honestly, I kind of rushed and I did not think my first draft is organized nor clear because I did it kind of last minute. I had a hard time trying to choose a discourse community because I was not sure what the discourse community can be. Also, I was confused on how I should write about them. When I was writing, I did not know what I was writing about. I know I need to spend more time to work on my writing project #2.

When I discussed with my partner, she said that my essay sounds interesting but for the introduction, I need to show a clearer purpose, goal, and argument of what I am writing about. Also, I need to add some rhetorically analysis because she said it seems I just described the discourse community. She mentioned that I try to make extended conversations about one side and then the other side. That way I can have a better flow. She also told me that she wants to hear more about the women who experienced a change in beauty and their feelings about the transitions and such. 

                      

For my second draft of my writing, I am going to make sure that my purpose/goal of my writing is clearly written and I will make good arguments with it. I always have a hard time trying to write rhetorically so, I will go back to look up Prezi, which we discussed in class on Wednesday. It is not on the Prezi yet but I am sure he is going to post. Mr. Frank gave us the examples about good introduction, conversation, and rhetorically analyzing. It was really helpful of him to give examples for our first writing project rather than just explaining. I think that is because we all know what the writing project was about. Also, I will research more about my discourse community and make sure that I know what I am writing about. 

Blog #10

Writing Project 2

Before I start my essay, I kind of panicked because there was one more 7 to 8 page writing project. I was really unsure where to start from because I was unclear which discourse community I want to write on. I chose hospital and doctors the last time when we learned about analysis the discourse community in class but I was not sure what things I should write about hospital and doctors. I kept thinking about how I am going write 7 to 8 pages and what I should talk when it comes to the hospital and doctors, but I could not think of any arguments. I think because I do not know that much about them. Then, I decided to write about young women because I thought this discourse community is going to be easier to write with. I can easily include my thoughts and opinions into this topic, because I was more familiar with the topic.

This discourse community is really interesting to me because I am in this community and I feel that I could agree with them. That is why I choose this discourse community. Young women are sensitive on trend. In my opinion, most young women’s focus more on their looks. For example, in today’s society first impression is extremely important going to a job interview. One issue of this discourse community is that the media has such an enormous influence on not only young women but everyone actually. The media has such control over us that we do not even notice how much it has impacted us. For instance, the standard of women’s body, the media portray the ideal body to be skinny. Everywhere you go or see is skinny beautiful young women. We have this image embedded in our head of what beauty is defined as. This is a huge issue; beauty cannot be defined by our size. The media is sending a horrible message to young girls out there, and the worst part is we are letting them do this. This idea of being perfect or having the perfect body does not exist so we cannot be brain wash by the media. We have to except the fact that what we born with is a blessing and just learn to love and embrace our imperfections.
                                             

                                   




Chapter 11

                     

In the chapter 11, it is about how to improve and write a good and clear thesis statement to make your paper explore. I always struggle with writing a thesis statement. The reason behind this is because it is hard to adapt to the English language and writing. I know that having a thesis statement is one of the key elements to have in my writing. The author states that “A thesis is an idea. It is a thought that you have arrived at about your evidence, rather than something you can expect to find, ready-made, in whatever you are studying.” Having a good thesis can be having a good idea so, it help to explore your thought with good evidence. I am pretty sure this chapter is going to be really help to write thesis statement in the future.
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