Kleine - "What Is It We Do When We Write Articles Like This One - and How Can We Get Students to Join Us?"
I. Summary
In his article, "What Is It We Do When We Write Articles Like This One - and How Can We Get Students to Join Us?," Kleine attempts an experiment on the process of how to write a research paper. It all started when he was in a library and noticed that the students surrounding him, along with himself, were simply copying down the information found in the textbooks or online. He wondered if other people that are not in the library also write research papers like him and the students, so he decided to conduct an experiment with a hunting/gathering model that he and two others created. He interviewed eight professors from different subjects to see how they fit in the model of writing. He concluded that the writing process differs among personality and task, but it can always be improved by learning from other's methods of writing.
II. Conversation
In high school, my English teacher Senior year would give us a rubric for what needed to be in each paragraph in order to get the full points of each paragraph. Kleine's article proves that my former English teacher's way of having us write papers is a form of writing, but making everyone write in a similar process does not allow for students to branch out and discover their own, personal way of writing research papers.
III. Assigned Exercises
QDJ1: How does what Kleine is talking about line up with your own experiences? Does it sound like he's describing the way you write and research, or not?
A: In Kleine's model of hunting and gathering, I think that I am more of a "gatherer." Sure, I hunt for information on the internet and through textbooks, but I like to look through all of them and discover which would be most beneficial to include in my writing. For the most part, I try to not copy down exactly what the information says, sometimes it is tempting to do that because it would be much quicker, but I try to stick with figuring out ways to write on my own.
QDJ3: How big a role do sources play in research of the professionals Kleine interviews? What role have they played in your past research efforts? How can you explain the differences?
A: Interviewing the eight professionals gave Kleine data to back up his point. If he did not have that data, his point about the process of writing and how it varies from person to person would be almost nonexistent. Credible sources allow me to back up my points in research papers. Without my sources, my paper would just be a bunch of random statements without any clear and correct evidence.
QDJ4: What would change about how you do research if you did what Kleine talks about?
A: I feel like I would be much more open to new ways of researching if I did what Kleine talks about when he says that we can gain knowledge by learning from others. I don't think I've ever intensely observed or questioned someone else about how they went about writing their paper. I've asked a couple question about where they got their information but never how they interpreted or used it.
IV. Personal Reflection
I love the scene that Kleine opened up his article with. I'm sure almost every person reading that scene could picture themselves there as well. Throughout most of my high school, my teachers wanted our research papers were very "cookie cutter" and specific. I remember only doing a couple research papers in which the students were allowed to go off on their own and research in their own way, which is what I think Kleine is trying to tell readers to do.
I don't necessarily have a favorite song, but currently my roommate and I have been listening to this one nonstop.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Blog #2 response
1. In his article, "Argument as Conversation," Stuart Greene attempts to explain to readers how arguments create conversations, and how conversations create arguments. He argues that people need to be able to intersect into arguments on their own by simply listening to the conversation taking place, and that people need to be able to weave information into their writing and everyday conversations.
2. Some of my class discussion in high school were based off of an argument or point of view. Students would randomly give their opinion of an argument, which would allow another student who agreed or disagreed to speak their mind right after that student was finished talking. Also, in almost all the papers I wrote in high school, weaving credible information into the topics was an essential part of the assignment.
3. QDJ2: Take another look at the “oft-quoted passage” by Kenneth Burke in paragraph 6. Why does Greene quote it yet again? Explain the extended metaphor that Burke uses. How would you describe the way it presents writing? What other ideas about writing might it challenge?
A: Greene quotes Kenneth Burke's passage once again so readers are able to get a full understanding of his ideas on arguments. Burke immediately sets the scene for readers about participating in an argument in a parlor. It presents writing as a way of explaining many arguments on a topic and how readers take in the different bits of information. It challenges very structured, biased writing and writing that takes place in chronological order.
QDJ3: Explain the concept of framing. What metaphor underlies it? Why is the concept important for Greene? What does framing allow a writer to do?
A: Framing is a way to set up a specific scene or argument and allows the readers to understand what is going on and to begin to form their own opinions on the matter. Greene uses the metaphor of taking a picture with a camera. The person taking the picture wants those viewing it to focus on the main subject of the picture, not any of the unimportant things in the background. Framing allows a writer to state their position, define the argument, specify the argument, and organize his/her view on the argument.
AE12: Does Greene's article itself represent a “conversation”? If so, with whom? How does he frame his argument? Would you say, in short, that Green practices what he preaches in “Argument as Conversation.”
A: Yes, Greene's article represents a "conversation" with his audience. He frames his conversation in the first paragraph, by stating what the audience will be reading about, and uses several credible examples to prove his points regarding arguments. Greene does practice what he preaches and it is proven by the way he weaves different sources into his article.
4. I've never actually thought about arguments like Greene does. Now that I do think about, a majority of class discussions are formed when one person agrees or disagrees with a fellow classmate. I don't necessarily think that all conversations are derived from arguments, but Greene did a good job of allowing me to look at arguments and conversations from a different point of view. The part I most enjoyed reading was the student's essay who weaved Mary Louise Pratt's article into her essay. I really liked the way she smoothly transitioned Pratt's statements from her own.
2. Some of my class discussion in high school were based off of an argument or point of view. Students would randomly give their opinion of an argument, which would allow another student who agreed or disagreed to speak their mind right after that student was finished talking. Also, in almost all the papers I wrote in high school, weaving credible information into the topics was an essential part of the assignment.
3. QDJ2: Take another look at the “oft-quoted passage” by Kenneth Burke in paragraph 6. Why does Greene quote it yet again? Explain the extended metaphor that Burke uses. How would you describe the way it presents writing? What other ideas about writing might it challenge?
A: Greene quotes Kenneth Burke's passage once again so readers are able to get a full understanding of his ideas on arguments. Burke immediately sets the scene for readers about participating in an argument in a parlor. It presents writing as a way of explaining many arguments on a topic and how readers take in the different bits of information. It challenges very structured, biased writing and writing that takes place in chronological order.
QDJ3: Explain the concept of framing. What metaphor underlies it? Why is the concept important for Greene? What does framing allow a writer to do?
A: Framing is a way to set up a specific scene or argument and allows the readers to understand what is going on and to begin to form their own opinions on the matter. Greene uses the metaphor of taking a picture with a camera. The person taking the picture wants those viewing it to focus on the main subject of the picture, not any of the unimportant things in the background. Framing allows a writer to state their position, define the argument, specify the argument, and organize his/her view on the argument.
AE12: Does Greene's article itself represent a “conversation”? If so, with whom? How does he frame his argument? Would you say, in short, that Green practices what he preaches in “Argument as Conversation.”
A: Yes, Greene's article represents a "conversation" with his audience. He frames his conversation in the first paragraph, by stating what the audience will be reading about, and uses several credible examples to prove his points regarding arguments. Greene does practice what he preaches and it is proven by the way he weaves different sources into his article.
4. I've never actually thought about arguments like Greene does. Now that I do think about, a majority of class discussions are formed when one person agrees or disagrees with a fellow classmate. I don't necessarily think that all conversations are derived from arguments, but Greene did a good job of allowing me to look at arguments and conversations from a different point of view. The part I most enjoyed reading was the student's essay who weaved Mary Louise Pratt's article into her essay. I really liked the way she smoothly transitioned Pratt's statements from her own.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Blog #1 response
I think that writing is a way to express one's thoughts, opinions and ideas on paper (or a computer). Writing does not necessarily have to be an intense novel or essay, it can simply be brainstorming or stating one's view on a topic. Writing works differently for everyone. Personally, I have to think about a few short words or sentences before diving into a piece of writing. I have a love/hate relationship with writing. I hate starting to write because sometimes I have trouble figuring out how to organize my thoughts and begin, but I love writing when the words start to easily flow across the page.
At my high school, it is a big deal for seniors to go all out and dress up for Halloween. Three of my friends and I dressed up as the Pink Ladies from Grease, which are what some women in the 50's were known as.
I have to admit, I do say some of these things...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)