Chapter 9 gives details and support on how to construct an argument for a paper. It begin by giving a reminder of the rhetorical situation and helps one fine-tune their focus for their paper by answering different questions. These questions can be broken down into four different categories; Purpose, audience, topic, and author. By answering these questions, the chapter tells you will help generate a list of possible responses to the research question. Another helpful idea that this chapter covers is that of a cluster map. A cluster map puts your general question in the middle and lets you draw out lines that connect and possibly answer the question. It even shows you how to go through and narrow down the possibilities of the answer to your question. One of the main points the chapter made was on developing a thesis. It explains the difference between an explicit thesis statement and a regular thesis and gives you good point on how to define and clarify the thesis statement for your argument. The chapter talks about using qualifies, which is a word or phrase that "hedges" or limits the claim in your argument. This chapter also makes sure one is able to support their argument by involving certain methods that with provide reasoning and evidence to what your argument is suporting. The text breaks it down into three possible ways this can by done; by using ethos, pathos, and/or logos. Other types of evidence the chapter discusses are statistical data, experimental results, expert opinions, personal experience and/or testimony, and observations. These are all really good types of evidence that is essential to developing ones supporting argument. Sometime providing evidence and support for your argument isn't enough. When this is the case, it's also a great idea to use a counterargument. This helps people see possible solutions to a problem when it comes up, such as including rebuttals in your paper.
Overall, I believe chapter 9 will be very helpful to me as I write my persuasive paper and develop my thesis. It gives a lot of great advice and it's great that the ext lays it out in a simple easy way. One of the aspects of Wadsworth, especially in this chapter that I really like is that it gives example to make their points and help the readers understand. I love that it gives me a reminder of the different focuses one needs to be thinking about while writing the paper. It lists questions you should be answering before you begin writing so that your writing with the best intentions and have a clear focus. I have never really been much for prewriting in english class, but outside of school I love to make lists. The cluster idea was something that I am familiar with, but after reading how effective it can be in helping you with your papers, I plan to use those more often. It gives great advice on how to use them and acts as a jumpstart for your writing. I enjoyed reading about the thesis statement because writing them can be difficult at times. However, with the tips they give, I will be sure to use them in the future so that conducting my thesis will be a smoother process. Reading about qualifiers is really informative for me because I had never really learned about them before. However, I do know a lot about the supporting arguments, offering evidence, and providing counterarguments because I have had to do that in previous english classes extensively!
Chapter 10 talks about selecting and integrating evidence. I think that this is also a important chapter because it explores evaluating your resources as possible evidence and integrating resources into your argument. First the chapter discusses developing prokect-specfic evaluation criteria. I though this was interesting to read because it makes you taylor these same ideas for your own specific use. It discusses the importance of timeliness, relevance, and other criteria for your sources. I have known a lot about this for past papers when looking up good sources. I have been told many times that I should use up to date material and things that are credible. This means being especially careful when looking up things online. Anyone can make a web page and post anything they'd like on it and it may not be true or real. I remember a time in 5th grade we had a computer class and the teacher had a website pulled up of some kind of animal. The website looked legit and had everything there is to know about it, but come to find out the animal wasn't even real! This is why you need to be careful when finding evidence and support online. You need to have different sources and check the accuracy of the ones that you have supporting your information.
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