Thursday, October 18, 2007

Deadline #8 HW #1 Reading Reflection

Chapter 5 was about composing a rhetorical analysis with aspects of understanding the dimensions of an argument. The chapter goes in detail about the purpose and who makes an argument. On page 106, it states that knowing who makes the claim is the key to the analysis. The chapter also discusses pathos, ethos, and logos and how each one is found in an argument. Arguments could be just about the heart, character, or facts and reasons of an issue. In addition, on page 129-134 it gives a guide to writing a rhetorical analysis, which will be useful for HW #4.
Chapter 6 was about the structure of arguments. It talks about using the Toulmin argument as the basis of an argument. The Toulmin argument contains claims, evidence, reasons, warrants, backing, qualifiers, authority, rebuttal, and response. Each element of the Toulmin argument is crucial. For example, on page 152, it states that there needs to be a connection between claims and reasons and data. That is where warrants come in. The example I like about warrants is on page 153, which it says "The mushroom is poisonous. Warrant: Eating poisonous things is dangerous. So don't eat it." These examples are great and will help me for next week's homework.
Chapter 8 is about arguments of definition. It talks about the different types of definitions, such as formal and operational. Formal definitions are found in dictionaries, while operational definitions identify an object or idea by the conditions that create it. The chapter also talks about developing a definitional argument by formulating arguments, crafting definitions, and matching claims with definitions. What I really like about Chapter 8 is on page 234-239, which is a guide to writing an argument of definition, which will be useful for upcoming assignments.
This week's websites were about the steps to writing an argumentative essay. It gives valuable information on pre-writing, introductions, thesis statements, and argumentative claims/propositions. Each website gives steps necessary to complete each section. I will be able to refer back to the websites for further questions.

2 comments:

laceyariz said...

I like the guides you reference, too. It helps to have a checklist when composing papers, and will be very helpful for WP#3.

dbacksbj said...

I also liked chapter 6's discussion of the Toulmin argument as it poses questions towards the writer and helps you write a credible paper. Without connections there shouldn't even be a point is how I see it.