HW: 1/23

Annotations of “The Brief Thompson (72-87)”

• Writing arguments is when you create expectations among readers that an argument – whether a report of research findings will proceed in a certain way.
• To persuade your readers, you look for common ground, points on which you agree or are likely to agree.
• Most issues that are considered worth writing arguments about are disputed; reasonable people disagree about them.
• When choosing a topic these three attributes apply. It is a contested issue. it is an issue you care about, and it is limited enough in terms of the amount of research you’ll need to do.
• The thesis statement in an argument is composed of the topic and your claim about the topic. This will help you learn more about your rhetorical situation and your topic.
• Keep a project checklist making sure you have a effective working thesis statement.
• To write a effective argument designed to persuade, you need to develop a keen understanding of the beliefs of the people opposed to your position. Your best writing may emerge from using the evidence that others would use against you.
• When you develop a argument you take your subject matter into account in great detail through a process of invention and inquiry.
• Arguing to persuade – First something needs to capture our attention. Then we need to learn more about it, and interpret it.
• It is important to research and define terms to establish common ground.
• When you gather evidence for your argument, it is helpful to distinguish between fact and opinion.
• Writers can use the toulmin method of “progression” to analyze their own arguments or those of others.
• When you “concede”, you give credence to an opposing or alternative perspective.
• Proofreading your work is important reread what you wrote, make little changes if needed, correct grammer, spelling, and punctuation.

Notes of the video “Purdue OWL”

• “Rhetoric”: An awareness of the language choices that we make.
• The “sophists” believed they could teach anyone to use rhetoric it to be an effective speaker.
• Pathos, logos, ethos, audience and more are all tools we use to make arguments more effective.