Sunday, November 22, 2015
Reflection on Project 3
In this blog post, I will be answering questions from Writing Public Lives. I will also be reflecting on my Project 3.
1. What was specifically revised from one draft to another?
The most significant revisions were content. I changed my argument and target audience after writing my first draft, so my entire piece was pretty much rewritten.
2. How did you reconsider your thesis or organization?
My thesis stayed the same despite the fact that my argument changed. This is because I was attempting to argue too many things in one paper, so my general thesis worked for both the broader and specific topics. My organization stayed roughly within the genre.
3. What led you to these changes?
I changed my audience and purpose.
4. How do these changes affect your credibility as an author?
I think they increase my credibility, because I was willing to reconstruct an entire piece to tailor to a specific audience and purpose.
5. How will these changes better address the audience or venue?
These changes will specifically target the audience and will hopefully be more persuasive.
6. How did you reconsider sentence structure and style?
I tried to allow my voice to shine through while varying sentence structure. I used a personable tone.
7. How will these changes assist your audience in understanding your purpose?
The changes will allow my audience to connect with me as an author and with my work.
8. Did you have to reconsider the conventions of your genre?
I switched genres, so yes.
9. How does the process of reflection help you reconsider your identity as a writer?
The process of reflection allows me to take the time to objectively critique my work after completing it.
1. What was specifically revised from one draft to another?
The most significant revisions were content. I changed my argument and target audience after writing my first draft, so my entire piece was pretty much rewritten.
2. How did you reconsider your thesis or organization?
My thesis stayed the same despite the fact that my argument changed. This is because I was attempting to argue too many things in one paper, so my general thesis worked for both the broader and specific topics. My organization stayed roughly within the genre.
3. What led you to these changes?
I changed my audience and purpose.
4. How do these changes affect your credibility as an author?
I think they increase my credibility, because I was willing to reconstruct an entire piece to tailor to a specific audience and purpose.
5. How will these changes better address the audience or venue?
These changes will specifically target the audience and will hopefully be more persuasive.
6. How did you reconsider sentence structure and style?
I tried to allow my voice to shine through while varying sentence structure. I used a personable tone.
7. How will these changes assist your audience in understanding your purpose?
The changes will allow my audience to connect with me as an author and with my work.
8. Did you have to reconsider the conventions of your genre?
I switched genres, so yes.
9. How does the process of reflection help you reconsider your identity as a writer?
The process of reflection allows me to take the time to objectively critique my work after completing it.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Reflection on Project 3 Draft
In this blog post, I will be reflecting on peer reviewing and on my own drafts.
Firstly, these are the links to the peer reviews: Cynthia's and Chloe's.
1. Who reviewed your project three draft?
Good question. I haven't received word yet that anyone has reviewed my paper, although I will keep checking.
2. What did you think or feel about the feedback?
I haven't gotten any feedback from official peer reviewers yet. I'm expecting to hear that my piece doesn't match up with my genre in my blog posts. This would be because it doesn't match. I switched my genre when I had to completely throw out two drafts of my piece because they just weren't working for me.
3. What aspects do you need to work on most? How will you work on these aspects?
I think genre will need to be focused a lot more. I will do this by shortening paragraphs, and possibly adding another section of support. This will also help my argumentation. In addition, I could work on purpose. In my draft, I have my purpose explicitly stated in my conclusion. I'm not sure if this works with my genre, so we'll see.
4. How do you feel about your project now that you've done peer review and conferencing?
My conference resulted in a complete change of topic and genre, so I feel a little shaky. I'll feel better after receiving peer review results (if I ever do). If I don't get any, then I will ask people to look the paper over so I can find strengths and weaknesses.
Firstly, these are the links to the peer reviews: Cynthia's and Chloe's.
1. Who reviewed your project three draft?
Good question. I haven't received word yet that anyone has reviewed my paper, although I will keep checking.
2. What did you think or feel about the feedback?
I haven't gotten any feedback from official peer reviewers yet. I'm expecting to hear that my piece doesn't match up with my genre in my blog posts. This would be because it doesn't match. I switched my genre when I had to completely throw out two drafts of my piece because they just weren't working for me.
3. What aspects do you need to work on most? How will you work on these aspects?
I think genre will need to be focused a lot more. I will do this by shortening paragraphs, and possibly adding another section of support. This will also help my argumentation. In addition, I could work on purpose. In my draft, I have my purpose explicitly stated in my conclusion. I'm not sure if this works with my genre, so we'll see.
4. How do you feel about your project now that you've done peer review and conferencing?
My conference resulted in a complete change of topic and genre, so I feel a little shaky. I'll feel better after receiving peer review results (if I ever do). If I don't get any, then I will ask people to look the paper over so I can find strengths and weaknesses.
Draft of Project 3
Hey everyone. Please take pity on my piece and edit it. It would mean a lot to me! I spent a lot of time writing and crossing things out. I had to refocus my topic and essentially switch genres all at once.
Here's the link. Let me know what you think!
Here's the link. Let me know what you think!
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Project 3 Outline
In this blog post, I will be posting my Project 3 Outline and explicating some of the details.
Here is a link to my outline.
Introducing Your Public Argument
I chose the method of connecting my argument to my readers' world views. I plan to make the introduction personal and more emotional than the majority of my piece. Religion, science, and emotion will play a large role in my introduction.
Developing Strong Supporting Paragraphs
Here is a link to my outline.
Introducing Your Public Argument
I chose the method of connecting my argument to my readers' world views. I plan to make the introduction personal and more emotional than the majority of my piece. Religion, science, and emotion will play a large role in my introduction.
Developing Strong Supporting Paragraphs
- List down the major supporting arguments:
- Single moms
- Health issues
- Inability to biologically reproduce
- Statistics
- Health benefits
- Psychological benefits
- List down the major criticisms:
- Parenting controversies
- Religious controversies
- Constitutional rights to parenthood
- Financial issues
- Health problems that can occur
- Psychological wellbeing of offspring
- Select key support and rebuttal points (each can be a support and a rebuttal depending on the context)
- Statistics
- Psychological studies of family dynamics
- Religious authority
- Cultural authority
- Legal rights
- Genetics
- Write out topic sentences:
- I'm not sure how many topic sentences I'll need because I'm unsure as to how many body paragraphs I'll be using. Below are two general topic sentences
- People who struggle with fertility must be given options for bearing offspring.
- Sperm donation can benefit our society.
- Gather evidence:
- Please refer to my outline.
- Develop a map of my argument.
- Please refer to my coggle.
Concluding Strategies
I'm not really sure what category my conclusion fits into at the moment. I want to make the audience feel good about themselves and autonomously come to the conclusion that my argument is correct. These two concepts fit the "positive consequences" and the "common ground" strategies. I think my draft will ultimately determine which strategy I use.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Analyzing My Genre
In this blog post I will be analyzing my chosen genre, the opinion column. I will share 5 examples from my genre and answer discussion questions.
Examples of Opinion Columns
Example 1: Suicide of a Dishonest Officer
Example 2: Why Paul Ryan Should Beware of Visions
Example 3: Why the New Vatican Leaks Scandal is Different
Example 4: Four Kinds of Opinion Pieces I Won't Read
Example 5: Hilary in History
Social Context:
Where is the genre typically set?
The genre is typically set in newspapers or magazines, usually ones with reputable editors and writers.
What is the subject of the genre?
The subject of the genre has a huge range. Usually the subject is somewhat current and controversial, and is intended to spark conversation.
Who uses the genre?
Usually authors who work for that particular establishment, although freelance writers are frequently published. For example, the author of example 1 is employed by the New York Times.
When and why is the genre used? What purpose does the genre serve for people who use it?
The genre is used nearly daily. Sundays are particularly big for editorial pieces. The genre is used to inform people of conversations that are going on in particular fields, usually social or political. The genre can be used as an expression of public speech.
Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre
What type of context is usually included and excluded?
A bio of the author is almost always included at the top of the page. Social context is almost always included. Location and geography are sometimes included, but the context is usually dependent on the issue.
What rhetorical appeals appear most often?
Ethos appears in the author bio. Pathos and logos are often combined to appear as a support of evidence. Pathos is often shown through personal stories or accompanying graphics. Logos is found in statistical analysis, although it is not as common as pathos.
How are the texts organized?
Organization varies depending on the author and topic. However, the texts are usually short, and often have chunky paragraphs. An interesting intro and conclusion would be considered conventional.
Do sentences share a common structure or style?
Quotations are a common way to support arguments, especially in Examples 1 and 5.
What type of word choice is used? Tone? Jargon?
Jargon is typically either explained or avoided. A personable tone is used, although the author either attempts to remain impartial or address his or her biases.
Analyze what the Patterns Reveal about Social Context
Who does the genre include and exclude?
The genre is pretty inclusive for ideas that support the author's argument. However, concepts that disagree with the evidence are often avoided.
What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?
The role of the writer is to assume an opinion and stick with it, without addressing possible confusions. The role of the reader is to be persuaded by the work.
What values and beliefs are assumed about or encouraged from users of the genre?
Some values include a strong education, a certain age, geographical location, and possibly gender. Beliefs can vary based on the topic, although in this day and age, authors typically either cater to a religious crowd or a secular audience.
What content does the genre treat as most valuable?
The most valuable content is support and analysis of the author's argument.
What content does the genre treat as least valuable?
The content that is least valuable is the other side's opinion.
Examples of Opinion Columns
Example 1: Suicide of a Dishonest Officer
Example 2: Why Paul Ryan Should Beware of Visions
Example 3: Why the New Vatican Leaks Scandal is Different
Example 4: Four Kinds of Opinion Pieces I Won't Read
Example 5: Hilary in History
Social Context:
Where is the genre typically set?
The genre is typically set in newspapers or magazines, usually ones with reputable editors and writers.
What is the subject of the genre?
The subject of the genre has a huge range. Usually the subject is somewhat current and controversial, and is intended to spark conversation.
Who uses the genre?
Usually authors who work for that particular establishment, although freelance writers are frequently published. For example, the author of example 1 is employed by the New York Times.
When and why is the genre used? What purpose does the genre serve for people who use it?
The genre is used nearly daily. Sundays are particularly big for editorial pieces. The genre is used to inform people of conversations that are going on in particular fields, usually social or political. The genre can be used as an expression of public speech.
 |
| "Hieronymous" by Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist for the New York Times |
Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre
What type of context is usually included and excluded?
A bio of the author is almost always included at the top of the page. Social context is almost always included. Location and geography are sometimes included, but the context is usually dependent on the issue.
What rhetorical appeals appear most often?
Ethos appears in the author bio. Pathos and logos are often combined to appear as a support of evidence. Pathos is often shown through personal stories or accompanying graphics. Logos is found in statistical analysis, although it is not as common as pathos.
How are the texts organized?
Organization varies depending on the author and topic. However, the texts are usually short, and often have chunky paragraphs. An interesting intro and conclusion would be considered conventional.
Do sentences share a common structure or style?
Quotations are a common way to support arguments, especially in Examples 1 and 5.
What type of word choice is used? Tone? Jargon?
Jargon is typically either explained or avoided. A personable tone is used, although the author either attempts to remain impartial or address his or her biases.
Analyze what the Patterns Reveal about Social Context
Who does the genre include and exclude?
The genre is pretty inclusive for ideas that support the author's argument. However, concepts that disagree with the evidence are often avoided.
What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?
The role of the writer is to assume an opinion and stick with it, without addressing possible confusions. The role of the reader is to be persuaded by the work.
What values and beliefs are assumed about or encouraged from users of the genre?
Some values include a strong education, a certain age, geographical location, and possibly gender. Beliefs can vary based on the topic, although in this day and age, authors typically either cater to a religious crowd or a secular audience.
What content does the genre treat as most valuable?
The most valuable content is support and analysis of the author's argument.
What content does the genre treat as least valuable?
The content that is least valuable is the other side's opinion.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Considering Types
In this blog post, I will be considering different types of arguments that may be applicable to my piece. I have chosen to look into position arguments, evaluative arguments, and refutation arguments.
Position Arguments
Position arguments would allow me to pick a side, but not argue for it. This might be less than ideal because it would be a very short article with little to no analysis.
Evaluative Arguments
Similar to a position argument, I would choose to argue for the cause. I would write an article full of in-depth analysis and support for my reasoning. This type of argument also fits my possible genre of "magazine article" most closely.
Refutation Arguments
This argument is the opposite of the evaluative argument. The only issue I have with this argument is personal; I'd rather write a support of reproductive technology instead of a critique.
Position Arguments
Position arguments would allow me to pick a side, but not argue for it. This might be less than ideal because it would be a very short article with little to no analysis.
 |
| "The Argument" by Shelly |
Evaluative Arguments
Similar to a position argument, I would choose to argue for the cause. I would write an article full of in-depth analysis and support for my reasoning. This type of argument also fits my possible genre of "magazine article" most closely.
Refutation Arguments
This argument is the opposite of the evaluative argument. The only issue I have with this argument is personal; I'd rather write a support of reproductive technology instead of a critique.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
My Rhetorical Action Plan
In this blog post, I will be discussing my rhetorical action plan with help from the Writing Public Lives.
Audience: Who are you trying to persuade with your public argument? Describe the following aspects of your audience in a few sentences:
I will be trying to persuade people who are against sperm donation that it is a useful procedure.
What does the audience know about the topic, text or idea? How do they know the topic? Do they have certain predispositions or opinions about the topic that you will need to address?
The audience knows about the topic from media, education, and most likely, religious authority. They will likely be predisposed to side with their culture, which is anti-masturbation, and inherently anti-sperm donation.
What do you know about the values, ideals, principles, or norms that members of the audience might hold?
There may be some members of the audience who are extremely against masturbation, birth control, abortion, and experimentation about embryos. Some members of the audience will be more open minded than others; some might not believe in evolution, while others will be completely secularized.
What type of research or evidence do you think will be persuasive for your audience? How might you have to translate this evidence for them?
I think personal, emotional evidence will be the most supportive. The language will have to be translated from scientific and logical into possibly theological.
What visual images or elements might your audience respond to? Why?
The audience would likely respond most to visuals related to the family, which are most emotional. They are more likely to generate sympathy for those who benefit from sperm donation
Why is your audience reading or listening to your argument? Are you trying to expand their understanding of an idea, encourage them to take action on an issue, challenge a long-held tradition or viewpoint, etc.? How likely is your argument to motivate your audience?
I will be trying to both expand their understanding of an idea and challenge a long-held viewpoint against sperm donation. I don't think it is likely that my argument will motivate my audience, because cultural indoctrination is incredibly powerful.
Genre: What form of writing will you use? After identifying your genre, list your answers in the following:
My genre: magazine article, such as one in The New Yorker
What is the function of the genre? What is it designed to do for your readers? Why did you pick this genre?
The function of the genre is to entertain and inform. I picked this genre because it is unexpected, and I can treat the topic in a light way.
What is the setting of the genre? Where could you see it being used?
The setting of the genre is within a magazine. I could see my article being used in a magazine that serves to entertain as well as inform. I would like to see my article in a magazine like The New Yorker.
How might you use rhetorical appeals in your work?
I would make a lot of use of pathos and logos, as the topic is one that combines emotional intensity with impartial scientific technology.
What type of style will you use?'
I will be attempting to combine a lighter tone with a heavier subject. I will keep my tone professional but I will try to maintain a personal connection with the audience.
Potential Reactions: Positive Support
Audience: Who are you trying to persuade with your public argument? Describe the following aspects of your audience in a few sentences:
I will be trying to persuade people who are against sperm donation that it is a useful procedure.
What does the audience know about the topic, text or idea? How do they know the topic? Do they have certain predispositions or opinions about the topic that you will need to address?
The audience knows about the topic from media, education, and most likely, religious authority. They will likely be predisposed to side with their culture, which is anti-masturbation, and inherently anti-sperm donation.
What do you know about the values, ideals, principles, or norms that members of the audience might hold?
There may be some members of the audience who are extremely against masturbation, birth control, abortion, and experimentation about embryos. Some members of the audience will be more open minded than others; some might not believe in evolution, while others will be completely secularized.
What type of research or evidence do you think will be persuasive for your audience? How might you have to translate this evidence for them?
I think personal, emotional evidence will be the most supportive. The language will have to be translated from scientific and logical into possibly theological.
What visual images or elements might your audience respond to? Why?
The audience would likely respond most to visuals related to the family, which are most emotional. They are more likely to generate sympathy for those who benefit from sperm donation
Why is your audience reading or listening to your argument? Are you trying to expand their understanding of an idea, encourage them to take action on an issue, challenge a long-held tradition or viewpoint, etc.? How likely is your argument to motivate your audience?
I will be trying to both expand their understanding of an idea and challenge a long-held viewpoint against sperm donation. I don't think it is likely that my argument will motivate my audience, because cultural indoctrination is incredibly powerful.
Genre: What form of writing will you use? After identifying your genre, list your answers in the following:
My genre: magazine article, such as one in The New Yorker
What is the function of the genre? What is it designed to do for your readers? Why did you pick this genre?
The function of the genre is to entertain and inform. I picked this genre because it is unexpected, and I can treat the topic in a light way.
What is the setting of the genre? Where could you see it being used?
The setting of the genre is within a magazine. I could see my article being used in a magazine that serves to entertain as well as inform. I would like to see my article in a magazine like The New Yorker.
How might you use rhetorical appeals in your work?
I would make a lot of use of pathos and logos, as the topic is one that combines emotional intensity with impartial scientific technology.
What type of style will you use?'
I will be attempting to combine a lighter tone with a heavier subject. I will keep my tone professional but I will try to maintain a personal connection with the audience.
 |
| "The New Yorker" Unknown |
Potential Reactions: Positive Support
- creating discussion
- through online commenting features
- through constructive responses
- constructive criticism
- change in opinion or personal ideology
- creating change in the community
- legally
- culturally
- through family
Potential Reactions: Negative Rebuttals
- disrespectful attacks
- discrediting the author
- criticism through personal means
- refusal to acknowledge unique ideas
- morally authoritative stance
- religion
- law
- culture
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