Argumentation

Kelila Fitch-Cook

ENG 121 BCC

2/29/2016

Argumentation

Argumentation is a tool that lends itself well to opinion-based writing, rather than fact or experience-based writing. I found the introductory description of argumentation to be very helpful in reminding us to back up our opinions using exemplification. Though something may be an opinion piece, arguments are much more successful when bolstered by facts, such as statistics and situational references. Also, the authors made clear the importance of supplying a counter-argument to one's position while also supplying a proper defense against it. Argumentation is much more effective when one gives a broad description of the topic at hand while still maintaining a strong stance in opinion.

I found Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" to be one of the most powerful examples of argumentation in this chapter. He included an arsenal of examples to reaffirm his point and addressed his audience directly. What I most noticed was that although he obviously held great conviction in his beliefs, he always maintained a respectful tone which is a useful method if your audience may readily disagree. 

I found this chapter to be effective in illustrating argumentation by presenting essays on the same topics with very contrasting opinions, yet at times I did find it a bit exhausting reading multiple papers on the same topic that all contained pretty much the same information, albeit with slightly differing views.

 view link

Logical Fallacy

Kelila Fitch-Cook

Jonathan Martinez

Emily Baker

Cheshire Cat aka Rhonda Polak

ENG121

February 18, 2016

Logical Fallacies are false statements that sound believable.  The specific logical fallacy we chose is “appeal to doubtful authority”.  B.O.B. (a rap artist) is trying to convince everyone that the world is flat.  To avoid making such mistakes, use credible and possibly multiple sources that state factual evidence.  

Link

Exemplification

Chapter 8, Exemplification 

Kelila Fitch-Cook

2/10/2016

Wow. This chapter took a while for me to get through, not only due to the length but also because I found the instructive matter to be frivolous for the most part. I was rolling my eyes at the majority of the questions posed because even though they were obviously intended to be thought-provoking, the answers to a lot of them seemed, to me, self-evident. I'll admit, my irritation may be due in large part to my current state of nicotine withdrawal, but I can't say for sure.

I did enjoy the writings themselves for the most part, though. I particularly enjoyed the essay by Judith Ortiz Cofer titled "The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria". I think she eloquates her point firmly yet kindly, gently ushering her reader towards a greater awareness. Though I am a white woman myself and cannot personally relate to the experiences of Latin women in this country, I can relate to the experience of people thinking their offensive generalizations are harmless and sometimes even flattering. The essay I liked the least was the piece by Farhad Manjoo titled "No, I Do Not Want to Pet Your Dog". This is not because I disagreed with his argument, but his tone was somewhat confusing. The book did ask at least one pertinent question which was "How would you describe the tone these words create? Respectful? insulting? Sarcastic? Something else?" (228). Well, I'm not sure. It feels sarcastic, but his platform is quite straight-forward. I"m not sure if he was trying to be funny or not. In fact, he ended up sounding quite condescending which ultimately led me to view the whole thing as an obnoxious, un-engaging rant. Ugh.

Overall, I enjoyed the readings and I do admit that the initial content and description of what exemplification is is thorough and straight-forward, as per usual from these authors. I did not, though, find it particularly enlightening for myself because, to me, it seems like an intuitive assumption that, yes, writing is boring and vague without description and examples to support content. But again, I may just be in a mood.

Link to image

Chapter 8 Exemplification

Jennifer Zukowski

Eng.121

2/1/16

Chapter 8: Exemplification

Exemplification illustrates or explains a general point or an abstract concept. Using examples that offer an immense range of how the paper will lead and give proof that supports the writer's thesis. By clearing up any generalizations, vague statements from the thesis and providing clear clarifications for what the thesis is saying.

There are different ways to add or have exemplification other than for supporting clarification, it can be used to add interest. Although it helps to try and become the reader to identify what becomes “lively” or “absorbing” so the write can understand where to add exemplification to a point making it interesting. Another use that presents themselves for exemplification in pg. 209 a paragraph explaining the way to use persuasion help readers think of what your saying is “reasonable” and “worth considering”. Though what was interesting to find in this chapter was do not limit the wider range of examples that are used, such as in pg. 210 there is an example of banning smoking in all public spaces don’t limit it to just restaurants. While using effective transitions such as, “another”, “for instance”, “in fact” etc. keeps the flow or consistency of the paper while at the same time giving a clear view to readers about the connections that are trying to be made.

What struck me as odd was that examples could prove to be a double edge sword that can come to a paper if not carefully check for. While the more examples that a writer uses to support the thesis it can become a problem if there are more examples than are needed which can be seen if the thesis gets misconstrued or lost. Example’s put in poorly put places can make the flow of the paper have choppy paragraphs. Creating a more complex paper that hinders more than it can help. Though the most important thing I could have been taken out by this chapter’s reading is how effective having an example right at the beginning or conclusion of the paper will stimulate more from a reader.

While Exemplification can be taken to create a better paper it has a thin line of where it will help or destroy a paper with the usage, placement, and number of examples used. Though any paper needs an example where it will clear up any generalizations that are provided in the paper to allow a much better understanding and structured paper.

-Jonathan Martinez

Chapter 8 Reading Response

Emily Baker

February 9, 2016

English 121

Reading Response

Link

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Patterns for College Writing was very informative and helpful to me personally. I wish I had known about exemplification essays in the past. Often times, especially in my History classes, the teacher required that we wrote exemplification essays, without actually stating it. Whenever receiving papers back, I would often get the comment that I am being to general and I do not have enough data to support my thesis. After reading this chapter, I realized that teachers were looking for specific examples that better support my thoughts and ideas. I hope that since I now have a better understanding of exemplification essays, I will be able to write stronger essays with a thesis that is well supported.

I believe one of the most important points of this chapter is the planning for an exemption essay. Before anyone starts writing I believe that it is important to create an outline, first starting with a thesis statement. I liked the way that the sample outline is set up. It begins with the introduction and the thesis statement. Below the outline has the body, which is composed of the support points. Under each support is very specific examples. I believe that setting up an outline in such a way makes writing way easier because your thoughts and the backbone of the essay is already laid out. From there, it is just putting it into coherent sentences.  As always I find the checklists in each chapter very helpful. The checklist for the exemplification essay, just asks a series of questions that makes sure your essay is structured in such a way that there is enough examples to support the thesis statement. Overall, this chapter offers insightful information on developing a stronger argument that better persuades the reader.