As we embark on the next assignment we have yet more informal information to help start us down the paper and ink path. Ballenger starts off by giving us an idea of the types of arguments there are. He offers some examples of lead-ins which is always helpful for me in getting started. These lead-ins give me a sense of whether or not I am getting off on the right foot, plus they give me an idea of what makes a strong opening statement. When writing our argument paper he wants us to know that it is ok to have a passionate point but be careful not to be over zealous on the emotion. Then Ballenger gives us ideas how to lay out the process, setting up the hypothesis and gathering information for or against the claim. He wants us to understand that there are many points to an argument so be flexible in your writing. It’s ok to write passionately about something but after all it is the truth that you are ultimately searching for. And finally, revision, revision, revision. It’s like putting the final touches on a piece of furniture. The piece of furniture looks good at the completion of construction but it isn’t a fine piece of furniture until it gets many coats of polyurethane, the satisfaction of shine.
I find this information very helpful in the process of writing. It clears the pathway to a better paper, in this case an argument paper. One point I’ve drawn from this reading is, what is my moral obligation? Am I obligated to write in a way that gets others to view this argument as I do or is it my obligation to write in a way that pulls in just the facts? It seems more logical to write in a manner in which each reader can decipher the words in their own mind and take their own stand, whether it be my stand or one of their own. My stand doesn’t have to be right or wrong just one that I am comfortable with. So for this paper I feel more compelled to take the writing stance of Richard Fulkerson, less aggressive, one that doesn’t have a motive to conquer everyone’s opinion but one that helps me make that decision that I believe in.
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Great imagery: "...the piece of furniture looks good at the completion of construction but it isn’t a fine piece of furniture until it gets many coats of polyurethane, the satisfaction of shine."
ReplyDeleteI would also add that revision can be like detaching the leg of the chair from the armrest, and reattaching it to it's proper place... sanding down certain areas and reupholstering other areas may also be part of the process...