The main concepts in “Evaluating Arguments” by Diana Hacker are, how to tell the difference between misleading views compared to sensible arguments, how to know the difference between the right and the wrong type of emotional appeals, and how to see different perspectives within an argument while reading and writing.
Diana Hacker stressed the importance of not stereotyping or generalizing within arguments. In order to state a reasonable perspective on a matter, we must provide ample evidence supporting our claims. She stated when using analogies within texts to argue positions, the writer must ensure the analogy is used properly. If the idea is not actually similar to the analogy stated, it is called a “false analogy”. While writing about problems and possible solutions, the writer must provide multiple resolutions with evidence of why one solution is better then the others. Diana pointed out how imperative it is to use emotional appeals responsibly within writing. She provided examples of “biased language” and how using this type of language can elicit strong emotional reactions from the audience. When providing other views on a subject the text needs to be accurate and impartial. Diana suggested quoting the writers within the argument but to explain the “context” of the quote in order not to misrepresent what the writer was stating.
All of the different principles Diana supplied in “Evaluating Arguments” will help me with my future reading and writing of arguments. She provided examples to explain the different ways I can utilize her concepts. In the past when I have written a text involving my stated position it has been extremely easy to confuse the audience without a proper format for my argument. In the future I will use one of the concepts she suggested to form my argument and provide the necessary evidence to support my claims.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
"Happy Endings," Obituary," and "Oompah Loompah” Dialogue
Shirley Temple is significant to Lovely because she represents a world where every problem is blissfully resolved and the resolution always involves a happy ending. Shirley embodies the type of lifestyle Lovely would like to possess. She views Shirley as a beautiful, angelic girl who receives love, attention, and devotion from every person who has the pleasure of meeting her. During the happy endings Shirley’s character cries out of joy. Lovely wishes her life contained reasons to cry because of pure happiness instead of sorrow.
Lovely feels unworthy of the type of heart-warming love Shirley Temple receives from the characters in her movies. Lovely stated, “We weren’t good enough for the kind of love that Shirley had every Sunday, the kind of love that makes the bottom lip quiver and mothers rush through crowds to hug you at the end of the movie.” (pg 26) Lovely feels if she obtains the qualities Shirley Temple possesses then she will deserve to be loved like Shirley Temple.
Lovely feels unworthy of the type of heart-warming love Shirley Temple receives from the characters in her movies. Lovely stated, “We weren’t good enough for the kind of love that Shirley had every Sunday, the kind of love that makes the bottom lip quiver and mothers rush through crowds to hug you at the end of the movie.” (pg 26) Lovely feels if she obtains the qualities Shirley Temple possesses then she will deserve to be loved like Shirley Temple.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Writing Topic: Rules for Writers Chapter 47
The main concept in “Academic Writing” by Diana Hacker is how to write a text that states a rational argument while maintaining the ability to convince the readers to agree with the writer's stance on the subject. The thesis statement should clearly provide the writer’s position within the introduction. The writer must conduct research on the subject prior to writing the text in order to be knowledgeable and thorough on the subject. She pointed out writing down the main ideas of the argument will provide the outline to the text.
She stated not to automatically assume the readers already agree with the writer’s position on the subject. The text should contain facts, examples, quotes, statistics, or any other form of evidence supporting any claims made within the text.
I utilized this chapter to assist me in completing the final draft on my essay this week. I scanned my rough draft and highlighted each claim I made that did not include critical details or evidence that supported my statement. This chapter made me realize I need to provide more details in my future writing. It made me reflect more about what questions the reader would possibly have after reading my essay.
She stated not to automatically assume the readers already agree with the writer’s position on the subject. The text should contain facts, examples, quotes, statistics, or any other form of evidence supporting any claims made within the text.
I utilized this chapter to assist me in completing the final draft on my essay this week. I scanned my rough draft and highlighted each claim I made that did not include critical details or evidence that supported my statement. This chapter made me realize I need to provide more details in my future writing. It made me reflect more about what questions the reader would possibly have after reading my essay.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Essay #2 Draft
My relationship with my father and Sarah’s relationship with her father in “Shooting Dad” are particularly similar. We both grew up not appreciating our fathers for the wonderful role models they were yet thankfully we both recognized our critical error before it was too late.
Sarah’s relationship with her father became strained after her first experience with his enthusiasm for guns. Her lack of appreciation for his love of guns eventually developed into a dislike for his political beliefs. Similarly, my relationship became strained with my father when I started developing my own views on life and religious ideals that were opposite of what my father believed. Sarah’s father embraced the concept of his daughter developing her own ideas, theories, and political beliefs. My father was horrified at the idea of his first-born daughter not following each principle he taught her.
When I realized it was time for me to explore the world and investigate different types of beliefs, it caused my father to fear for my future. I wanted to investigate if what my father had taught me was in fact the truth or if I would be able to find something else that was a better fit for me. On my sixteenth birthday our relationship reached the boiling point, my father outlined his distaste for my interests, style, and beliefs. He had an image of an ideal daughter trapped in his head and was unwilling to expand his concept to include the reality of what I had become. He started trying to enforce rules to squash my individualism that he viewed as rebellion. I reacted in a way a teenager would, by creating a persona reeking of hatred for authority.
Sarah and I reacted to our fathers in a similar way, we both chose to participate in a lifestyle that was completely opposite of what our parental figures lived. Sarah chased music, art, and liberal politics. I chased loud music, cigarettes, and general rebelliousness.
Both Sarah and I realized later in life how important it is to have a good relationship with your father. I finally saw my father as a human being, a person with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I realized he is allowed to make mistakes. Just like Sarah was able to finally see how similar her and her father were, I was able to see the similarities between my father and I. My father and I both felt strong about our ideals and were willing to stand up for what we believe in. We are both quick to voice our opinion and stand firm regardless of outside influences. In fact I now believe I gained my character by watching my father. We may not see eye to eye on every issue but we have respect and love for each other.
Sarah and I tried desperately to be entirely different from our fathers and in retrospect we instead both possessed multiple similarities and convictions.
Sarah’s relationship with her father became strained after her first experience with his enthusiasm for guns. Her lack of appreciation for his love of guns eventually developed into a dislike for his political beliefs. Similarly, my relationship became strained with my father when I started developing my own views on life and religious ideals that were opposite of what my father believed. Sarah’s father embraced the concept of his daughter developing her own ideas, theories, and political beliefs. My father was horrified at the idea of his first-born daughter not following each principle he taught her.
When I realized it was time for me to explore the world and investigate different types of beliefs, it caused my father to fear for my future. I wanted to investigate if what my father had taught me was in fact the truth or if I would be able to find something else that was a better fit for me. On my sixteenth birthday our relationship reached the boiling point, my father outlined his distaste for my interests, style, and beliefs. He had an image of an ideal daughter trapped in his head and was unwilling to expand his concept to include the reality of what I had become. He started trying to enforce rules to squash my individualism that he viewed as rebellion. I reacted in a way a teenager would, by creating a persona reeking of hatred for authority.
Sarah and I reacted to our fathers in a similar way, we both chose to participate in a lifestyle that was completely opposite of what our parental figures lived. Sarah chased music, art, and liberal politics. I chased loud music, cigarettes, and general rebelliousness.
Both Sarah and I realized later in life how important it is to have a good relationship with your father. I finally saw my father as a human being, a person with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I realized he is allowed to make mistakes. Just like Sarah was able to finally see how similar her and her father were, I was able to see the similarities between my father and I. My father and I both felt strong about our ideals and were willing to stand up for what we believe in. We are both quick to voice our opinion and stand firm regardless of outside influences. In fact I now believe I gained my character by watching my father. We may not see eye to eye on every issue but we have respect and love for each other.
Sarah and I tried desperately to be entirely different from our fathers and in retrospect we instead both possessed multiple similarities and convictions.
"The Insufficiency of Honesty" Dialogue
Integrity is difficult to achieve because in order to truly achieve integrity we must understand the whole definition. Carter points out many of us believe integrity to be honesty, but that is only a portion of the definition. He explained just because we possess honesty does not mean we possess integrity.
It is very easy to voice what you as an individual believe in, but it is quite another task to act in accordance to your convictions when tested under pressure. Everyday we are bombarded with different pressures whether they are social, political, or moral. We as individuals need to know and stand by our beliefs no matter what form of pressure tries to persuade us. We need this discipline even when there is no one watching.
We may believe we know the difference between right and wrong, but in order to possess integrity we must reflect on what is right and act upon our principles at risk to ourselves. As Carter stated, we must reflect on our beliefs, act upon our beliefs when necessary, and voice when we are acting upon our beliefs to truly achieve integrity.
It is very easy to voice what you as an individual believe in, but it is quite another task to act in accordance to your convictions when tested under pressure. Everyday we are bombarded with different pressures whether they are social, political, or moral. We as individuals need to know and stand by our beliefs no matter what form of pressure tries to persuade us. We need this discipline even when there is no one watching.
We may believe we know the difference between right and wrong, but in order to possess integrity we must reflect on what is right and act upon our principles at risk to ourselves. As Carter stated, we must reflect on our beliefs, act upon our beliefs when necessary, and voice when we are acting upon our beliefs to truly achieve integrity.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Rules for Writers Chapter 4
The concepts of “Paragraphs” by Diana Hacker are, how to write topic sentences within paragraphs that support the main idea of the paragraph, how to identify the different “methods of development” within the text, how to not create a repetition of words in the writing, and how to know when to start a new paragraph. She stated when creating a paragraph it is imperative to have a topic sentence within the text that provides the main point of the paragraph. If the paragraph is only a few sentences she suggested reviewing the material and deciding whether it needs more supporting information or if it is necessary to delete the short paragraph.
Diana provided examples of “methods of development” which reflects patterns in writing. She said the “example” pattern is used most often but if you need to elaborate more on the example to use the “illustration” pattern because it allows more detail to become involved in the writing. The “narration” design is used when the author wants to tell a story. The “descriptive” outline is used to describe a noun. It is essential to provide the particulars when using this pattern. When the writer wants to provide a paragraph involving the “process” pattern it must be in chronological order. When using the “compare” design the paragraph can explain both subjects together or separately. The writer can use “analogies”, “cause and effect”, or “classification” outlines if necessary.
Diana explained it is important to use different forms of the key terms within a text. She said readers enjoy reading texts that have one to two hundred words per paragraph and where the first paragraph is the introduction and the last is the conclusion. She specified some of the reasons to begin a new paragraph are when the writer is changing ideas, needs to make an important statement, or to separate long paragraphs.
I enjoyed learning about the different patterns in writing. She provided great examples on what the different patterns create within a text. I relate to the distaste of reading the same words several times in a document. I try to use different terms and versions of words in my writing already. At times I tend to generate long paragraphs to emphasize the point of my writing and she provided a list of reasons to end a paragraph that will assist me in my future writing.
Diana provided examples of “methods of development” which reflects patterns in writing. She said the “example” pattern is used most often but if you need to elaborate more on the example to use the “illustration” pattern because it allows more detail to become involved in the writing. The “narration” design is used when the author wants to tell a story. The “descriptive” outline is used to describe a noun. It is essential to provide the particulars when using this pattern. When the writer wants to provide a paragraph involving the “process” pattern it must be in chronological order. When using the “compare” design the paragraph can explain both subjects together or separately. The writer can use “analogies”, “cause and effect”, or “classification” outlines if necessary.
Diana explained it is important to use different forms of the key terms within a text. She said readers enjoy reading texts that have one to two hundred words per paragraph and where the first paragraph is the introduction and the last is the conclusion. She specified some of the reasons to begin a new paragraph are when the writer is changing ideas, needs to make an important statement, or to separate long paragraphs.
I enjoyed learning about the different patterns in writing. She provided great examples on what the different patterns create within a text. I relate to the distaste of reading the same words several times in a document. I try to use different terms and versions of words in my writing already. At times I tend to generate long paragraphs to emphasize the point of my writing and she provided a list of reasons to end a paragraph that will assist me in my future writing.
"Shooting Dad" Dialogue
The title “Shooting Dad” at first glance reflects Sarah's distaste for her father’s choice of hobby, occupation, and political beliefs. When Sarah was six her father introduced her to the power of a gun. She extremely detested the encounter and it created dissidence for her father’s political beliefs. Instead of spending time with her family she spent her time appreciating music, art, and reading.
As Sarah grew older she desired a better relationship with her father. She contacted him and asked to participate in his most recent project . He had recently finished a cannon she called the “tool of death”. (pg 21) They hiked to a secluded area lugging the cannon with them. She was thrilled by the loud noise when her father fired the cannon for the first time. During the excitement she realized her father was truly artistic and they were not so different after all.
Sarah promised her father when he passed away, her and the family would head to the mountains and shoot his ashes out of the boisterous cannon. Sarah said “But I will not cover my ears. Because when I blow what used to be my dad into the earth, I want it to hurt.” (pg 23) The true significance is that Sarah wants to hear the blast of the cannon as the reminder of the day she realized her and her father were not so different after all.
As Sarah grew older she desired a better relationship with her father. She contacted him and asked to participate in his most recent project . He had recently finished a cannon she called the “tool of death”. (pg 21) They hiked to a secluded area lugging the cannon with them. She was thrilled by the loud noise when her father fired the cannon for the first time. During the excitement she realized her father was truly artistic and they were not so different after all.
Sarah promised her father when he passed away, her and the family would head to the mountains and shoot his ashes out of the boisterous cannon. Sarah said “But I will not cover my ears. Because when I blow what used to be my dad into the earth, I want it to hurt.” (pg 23) The true significance is that Sarah wants to hear the blast of the cannon as the reminder of the day she realized her and her father were not so different after all.
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