Eng reflection

After reading the assigned chapters for this week, write a 1 page double spaced reflection on three things that you learned and how you intend to incorporate them into your writing and critical thinking skills.

chapter5: https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Composition/Advanced_Composition/Book%3A_H ow_Arguments_Work_-_A_Guide_to_Writing_and_Analyzing_Texts_in_College_(Mills)/05% 3A_Responding_to_an_Argument

chapter7: https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Composition/Advanced_Composition/Book%3A_H ow_Arguments_Work_-_A_Guide_to_Writing_and_Analyzing_Texts_in_College_(Mills)/07% 3A_Forming_Your_Own_Argument

LECTURE: Chapter 5-3

Arguments are much like a conversation. After you’ve done all the things we have (identified a main idea and claims, summarized the argument, and critiqued it), you will naturally want to offer your own recommendation on the topic. Here are some ways you can do that.

● Take the argument a step further Perhaps you agree with a claim, but the rationale presents problems. For example, if someone told me, “Climate change needs to be tackled by countries across the world because Americans are too stupid to do anything about it!” I would first nod and then cringe. While the argument is agreeable, the reasoning is not. Revising the reasoning turns this argument into a sound claim: “Climate change needs to be tackled by countries across the world because it is a global issue.”

● Alternate suggestions Perhaps you agree with a claim, but the rationale presents problems. For example, if someone told me, “Climate change needs to be tackled by countries across the world because Americans are too stupid to do anything about it!” I would first nod and then cringe. While the argument is agreeable, the reasoning is not. Revising the reasoning turns this argument into a sound claim: “Climate change needs to be tackled by countries across the world because it is a global issue.”

LECTURE: Chapter 7-3

Chapter 7 is titled “Forming Your Own Argument.” Yes, it takes 6 chapters before we get to form our own arguments! There is so much to learn in terms of summary and analysis before you can create a logical and coherent argument of your own. Section 7.1 covers the introduction paragraph, and I have a template for you that summarizes the book’s approach. Feel free to use it on your midterm and all of our future essays:

Introduction Template

[Intriguing Sentence]. Over the past few decades, [ historical background]. In recent years, [more

recent background]. Research by [main source] shows… On one hand, [opposing viewpoint]. On the

other hand, [your side]. In fact, [thesis].

For most essays you write, this template can be used to write a thorough introduction. So once we write the introduction, how can we approach the rest of the essay? Let’s see what Chapter sections 7.2-7.4 offer, including some examples of definition and evaluation arguments.

● Organizing a paper to respond to sources Most of the time, we are not experts in the field we are reading about. In this class, we read a lot about borders, but most of my students are not sociologists or politicians. Chapter 7.2 offers us a few different templates for writing a thesis statement that responds to sources you have researched. These templates will be very helpful on your midterm! Review these examples:

● Combine research findings from multiple sources to make a larger summary argument. ○ Even though Gloria Anzaldua and Manuel Munoz discuss [topic], they should

also recognize [broader conclusion]. ● Combine research findings from multiple sources to make a claim about their

implications. ○ All of these sources analyzing borders reveal [X].

● Identify underlying areas of agreement. ○ Sources discussing [view #1] and sources discussing [view #2] actually

agree on [X]. ● Identify underlying areas of disagreement.

○ Controversies surrounding [X] stem from [Y]. ● Identify unanswered questions.

○ Reviewing sources in this discipline highlights the need for more research about [X].

● Definition argument example Here is an example of a definition essay (Links to an external site.) from the Excelsior Online Writing Lab (Links to an external site.) that attempts to define happiness. As you review it, keep an eye out for some basic elements of a definition essay listed below:

● Does it attempt to explain what is meant by a particular term? ● Does it provide evidence for any generalizations it makes? ● Does it justify the choice of criteria for the definition?

● Evaluation argument example Many of the articles we read and videos we watch for fun are probably evaluations, such as an article about why McDonald’s breakfast is so great, or a YouTube video reviewing the latest makeup trend. Here is an example of an evaluation essay that evaluates []. As you review it, keep an eye out for some basic elements of a definition essay listed below:

● Does it make a claim about the quality of something? ● Does it define and justify the criteria they use to make the evaluation? ● Does it provide evidence of the way in which the subject meets or does not meet the

criteria?