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.