I now know what this title means. What "they say" is what the writer is responding to; the critics of the argument trying to be proved. What "I say" is what I, the writer, says.
What I say and what "they say" needs to be in the right order too. My argument has to be a response to something of course, and a paper needs to be focused on replying to, and respectfully disagreeing with that side of the argument, giving valid reasons why what I say is the better and more valid opinion. I think I'm going to stuggle a bit with this in my introduction. I have never really thought about opening an argumentative essay with anything contradicting. Perhaps I will just put it in such words that will lead the reader into the right frame of mind with some questions that are unanswered for a short bit before divulging the details. The reader might wonder if it is possible of my opinion to be proved, then I will blast them with evidence they cannot deny and thus, my argument will be won.
Starting a essay is very important in order to "speak out" to the reader and grab their attention, make the argument as well as my statement on it clear. Perhaps I will start off with an anecdote about how Facebook/Twitter/MySpace is ruining the lives of users and keeping them from being productive people. Yes, that may be true when people are using those sites as wastes of time, but could it also be a good way to waste time? Or maybe if I feel like taking the other stance I could say that Facebook/Twitter/Myspace is a harmless internet site and it's just fun and everyone else thinks that it's fun and good, but it is in fact that... yahda-yahda-yahda, it's got more playing on our minds than meets the eye... or screen. Either way, I am still not sure of how I am going to start off my paper, and which way to best argue my ideas with what information I have to back it up on. This article is still giving me ideas. The templates are great!
Going into expansive detail will have to wait for the body of the paper. No one wants to read long details in the opening bit, they just want to get the jist to see if they are interested. A possible twist could grip the readers in suspense and leave then wanting to read the end of it.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Response to Politics and the English Language
Orwell is such a famous writer, works such as Nineteen Eighty Four and Animal Farm will forever ring throughout time as classics, unless of course those stories actually come true. He coined the words and phrases like Big Brother, doublethink, newspeak, and others. It is only rather fitting that he comment on the type of vague ideas that he himself wrote about. In Politics in the English Language Orwell talks about the vagueness of our very own language and then sets up some rules for creating better writing that hasn’t been duped up with common phrases.
In his argument Orwell states that metaphors have become stale and have lost their meaning because nobody even understands the word picture anymore. A metaphor should bring a mental image to somebody’s head, not the other way around. In my lifetime alone is the phrase “Google it” is becoming useless. It is no longer synonymous with Google. While some people perhaps will still use Google, the phrase now more or less means “Look it up”. It doesn’t have to be Google and we see this type of phrase we don’t necessarily associate it with Google anymore. This only proves Orwell’s point about the English language becoming stale.
“It is easier -- even quicker, once you have the habit -- to say In my opinion it is not an unjustifiable assumption that than to say I think.” We may laugh at this and call it absurd but it is a personification of the English language. All people regardless of who they are do this. We all run on social and verbal scripts that we don’t even have to think about. This is most evident when somebody greets you or tells you to “have a nice day”. We do not even begin to think about the response, instead we simply respond with a pre-determined script from both behavior and langage by saying something like “Pretty good, how about yourself?” or “you too”.
In fact, this is only made all the more evident when something is out of place. Take for instance if you are getting on a flight (as I once watched a friend do) and your standing back at security tells you to “have a great flight” and you respond automatically with the phrase “you too!” (as I once did). When it comes down to it, Orwell creates a simple, if not rather ironic, set of rules for people when speaking English. But even more so, he creates a “beware of” list. By showing the phrases for their true meaning he tears off the white washed mask that politics hide behind to show the more grotesque one that lays beneath it.
In his argument Orwell states that metaphors have become stale and have lost their meaning because nobody even understands the word picture anymore. A metaphor should bring a mental image to somebody’s head, not the other way around. In my lifetime alone is the phrase “Google it” is becoming useless. It is no longer synonymous with Google. While some people perhaps will still use Google, the phrase now more or less means “Look it up”. It doesn’t have to be Google and we see this type of phrase we don’t necessarily associate it with Google anymore. This only proves Orwell’s point about the English language becoming stale.
“It is easier -- even quicker, once you have the habit -- to say In my opinion it is not an unjustifiable assumption that than to say I think.” We may laugh at this and call it absurd but it is a personification of the English language. All people regardless of who they are do this. We all run on social and verbal scripts that we don’t even have to think about. This is most evident when somebody greets you or tells you to “have a nice day”. We do not even begin to think about the response, instead we simply respond with a pre-determined script from both behavior and langage by saying something like “Pretty good, how about yourself?” or “you too”.
In fact, this is only made all the more evident when something is out of place. Take for instance if you are getting on a flight (as I once watched a friend do) and your standing back at security tells you to “have a great flight” and you respond automatically with the phrase “you too!” (as I once did). When it comes down to it, Orwell creates a simple, if not rather ironic, set of rules for people when speaking English. But even more so, he creates a “beware of” list. By showing the phrases for their true meaning he tears off the white washed mask that politics hide behind to show the more grotesque one that lays beneath it.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Response to "Politics and the English Language"
Whilst reading through Orwell’s piece, I soon found that I was contributing slightly to this stretching and skewing of the English language. Luckily it would seem I’m not alone, as college professors are making as many or more errors as me, and while that softens the blow to me, it also shows how badly we’ve managed to morph simple words into drawn out phrases.
Politics are prime pickings for finding such phrases. It seems it’s now a necessity to use as many large and complex words as possible to describe ones position on something. No longer does one simply state their opinion on something. You teeter on the edge of decisiveness, but do not under any circumstance actually take a step into it. If one does, they make sure to cloak it under so many words -often meaning things other than what they really mean- that it’s impossible to discern if they are indeed for or against something.
Taking this into consideration when writing is vital to a successful paper. If people are forced to re-read things simply so they understand a simple concept, it becomes boring and puts the reader off. One also wants to make sure their writing expresses ideas clearly. The writer must also be wary to keep things brief and to the point so the reader is not lost in over-abundant details. The six rules Orwell provides are great things to look for when looking over a paper, as I’m sure people other than me and some professors tend to drag things out longer than they should be.
Politics are prime pickings for finding such phrases. It seems it’s now a necessity to use as many large and complex words as possible to describe ones position on something. No longer does one simply state their opinion on something. You teeter on the edge of decisiveness, but do not under any circumstance actually take a step into it. If one does, they make sure to cloak it under so many words -often meaning things other than what they really mean- that it’s impossible to discern if they are indeed for or against something.
Taking this into consideration when writing is vital to a successful paper. If people are forced to re-read things simply so they understand a simple concept, it becomes boring and puts the reader off. One also wants to make sure their writing expresses ideas clearly. The writer must also be wary to keep things brief and to the point so the reader is not lost in over-abundant details. The six rules Orwell provides are great things to look for when looking over a paper, as I’m sure people other than me and some professors tend to drag things out longer than they should be.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Response to "Politics and the English Language"
I think when people write poorly, it's because they don't have it in mind that the writing actually needs to be read and comprehended in the end. The writer might be attempting to seem smarter by using more complex words and phrases or metaphors, but because he/she doesn't know the true meaning of them, he/she cannot use them correctly and therefore creates a muddle of words and partially-formed thoughts. Vagueness will never be persuasive. Having vague statements will not make a good argument in our unit 2a paper.
Using meaningless words will most-likely confuse the reader from your main focus, and can easily lead them astray in your process of ideas through the paper. Using "operators or verbal false limbs" are only extra words and will not help unless the writer is trying to meet a specific word count, otherwise unproductive. Other meaningless additions are words of a different language only trying to add airs "of culture and elegance". I think if you are trying to provide elegance shows of culture in your writing you should write it down in English words so that the general audience can understand.
Overused phrases and metaphors are boring, unoriginal and are not given much thought anymore. If you can come up with an interesting new metaphor, the reader might actually pause and think to find a relation between the imagery it creates and the topic you are elaborating on.
It is so important to write consciously.
Overall, writing is not like speaking. Because the reader will not necessarily put emphasis on words that you, the writer, have, the main points will come across differently and most likely vague or in disarray. I find that when I listen to political speeches, I hardly ever understand or get anything out of them. Politicians do use mumbo-jumbo words to make them seem like they know hat they are doing and that you should trust them, though what they are doing is higher that your comprehension level, so it's like they don't even bother trying to tell you (like they have a plan anyway, haha).
When editing my writing, I personally, need to remind myself to write like I mean it, and be able to describe what I am saying in other words, or else my first writing won't be understood. The reader can't read your mind, only your words.
Using meaningless words will most-likely confuse the reader from your main focus, and can easily lead them astray in your process of ideas through the paper. Using "operators or verbal false limbs" are only extra words and will not help unless the writer is trying to meet a specific word count, otherwise unproductive. Other meaningless additions are words of a different language only trying to add airs "of culture and elegance". I think if you are trying to provide elegance shows of culture in your writing you should write it down in English words so that the general audience can understand.
Overused phrases and metaphors are boring, unoriginal and are not given much thought anymore. If you can come up with an interesting new metaphor, the reader might actually pause and think to find a relation between the imagery it creates and the topic you are elaborating on.
It is so important to write consciously.
Overall, writing is not like speaking. Because the reader will not necessarily put emphasis on words that you, the writer, have, the main points will come across differently and most likely vague or in disarray. I find that when I listen to political speeches, I hardly ever understand or get anything out of them. Politicians do use mumbo-jumbo words to make them seem like they know hat they are doing and that you should trust them, though what they are doing is higher that your comprehension level, so it's like they don't even bother trying to tell you (like they have a plan anyway, haha).
When editing my writing, I personally, need to remind myself to write like I mean it, and be able to describe what I am saying in other words, or else my first writing won't be understood. The reader can't read your mind, only your words.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Crafting an Argument
Mr. Ballinger's bit on "Writing and Argument" informs us on what the title so blatantly specifies. How to "build an argument," as Bruce put it. He talks about how to form a proper opinion and through analyzation, refine or create a new claim, as well as what you should have to make sure your claim is properly supported. This information could prove quite valuable in writing an op-ed or persuasive paper, which subsequently is exactly what he continues to talk about. Through what I could decipher, Ballinger states that op-ed's generally have a bit friendlier tone, perhaps even a slight bit tounge-in-cheek in some scenarios. Later, he cues us in on a few things we should be wary of in our arguements, such as an appeal to popularity. Just because a lot of people think something is the best, that is not always the case.
As our class is currently in the process of writing a persuasive paper (At least, we SHOULD be...), and will be writing up an op-ed soon after, the wisdom of Bruce Ballinger will come in handy. Whether it be his helpful outline for building a nice opinion or provinding insight into what exactly makes an arguement, this short paper could prove invaluable as an excellent source of refrence. Page 14 even has a few links to boards where you can work to hone down your claim into a fine point to take a stab at solving an arguement.
As our class is currently in the process of writing a persuasive paper (At least, we SHOULD be...), and will be writing up an op-ed soon after, the wisdom of Bruce Ballinger will come in handy. Whether it be his helpful outline for building a nice opinion or provinding insight into what exactly makes an arguement, this short paper could prove invaluable as an excellent source of refrence. Page 14 even has a few links to boards where you can work to hone down your claim into a fine point to take a stab at solving an arguement.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Response to "Writing an Argument"
This gave great ideas and tips on how to write, set-up, research and organize argument papers and op-eds. It gave me better descriptions of an op-ed in context of who writes them, for what reasons and who they are read by. From this I will have a better idea of what I am aiming for when I put together my op-ed. It needs to be fairly short, very persuasive, well reasoned, for a large audience and display that I truly care about the topic. I need to make an “intellectual inquiry” in a game of attack, but not war; I will respectfully disagree with conflicts of my interest. My view will have a good reason to matter to the audience and it will invite responses. The near end of the reading gave excellent reflection questions for self and peer editors.
I think that since arguing in the U.S. culture is so open and deemed as “healthy expressions of commitment and caring” that it is good to argue and share your ideas and opinions. Arguing forces us to test our ideas against evidence or find a new way of thinking about the topic. It is intriguing to find out that arguing is a process of discovery, and “academic argument is one of the key means of making new knowledge”. You must show what is convincing you to take your side of the argument so strongly; match wit and knowledge, find flaws in the opposing sides’ faulty reasoning and deny indefensible claims. To impose the opinion on the reader, the arguer will use an evaluation of the topic with an emphasis on analysis will present your idea, and the reader will suspend judgment and withhold questions until the end, when they will have a discovery. It gave me the idea that imagination will help us come to appreciate new complexities and discoveries if we have open minds and willingness to explore our own opinions and question our state of mind.
I liked the example of the claim that Rob is a narcissist because I am going to talk about narcissism in my argument too. I learned I need to state “what definition of narcissism provides the basis for the claim about Rob, including the behaviors of a narcissist”.
This reading also gave me a few more research tools to use. Sites like infoplease, CIA World Factbook and American Factfinder may be one of my sources. One thing I need to make sure I do for my argument paper is state why anything I write about matters. I need to relate it to what is at stake. As for how I will explain, I will try to answer “what do you believe is true if your claims from evidence are valid”. I will look out for any “logical fallacy” used in my paper, and use this reading as a little checklist for reviewing my argument and making it stronger.
I think that since arguing in the U.S. culture is so open and deemed as “healthy expressions of commitment and caring” that it is good to argue and share your ideas and opinions. Arguing forces us to test our ideas against evidence or find a new way of thinking about the topic. It is intriguing to find out that arguing is a process of discovery, and “academic argument is one of the key means of making new knowledge”. You must show what is convincing you to take your side of the argument so strongly; match wit and knowledge, find flaws in the opposing sides’ faulty reasoning and deny indefensible claims. To impose the opinion on the reader, the arguer will use an evaluation of the topic with an emphasis on analysis will present your idea, and the reader will suspend judgment and withhold questions until the end, when they will have a discovery. It gave me the idea that imagination will help us come to appreciate new complexities and discoveries if we have open minds and willingness to explore our own opinions and question our state of mind.
I liked the example of the claim that Rob is a narcissist because I am going to talk about narcissism in my argument too. I learned I need to state “what definition of narcissism provides the basis for the claim about Rob, including the behaviors of a narcissist”.
This reading also gave me a few more research tools to use. Sites like infoplease, CIA World Factbook and American Factfinder may be one of my sources. One thing I need to make sure I do for my argument paper is state why anything I write about matters. I need to relate it to what is at stake. As for how I will explain, I will try to answer “what do you believe is true if your claims from evidence are valid”. I will look out for any “logical fallacy” used in my paper, and use this reading as a little checklist for reviewing my argument and making it stronger.
my first blog EVER!
Hey everybody,
Glad to be part of this fun blog!
Go gamers and online socializers!
Glad to be part of this fun blog!
Go gamers and online socializers!
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