WAW:Kantz (67-85)

Questions for Discussion and Journaling

Q1:
In a rhetorical argument Kantz contends that a fact is a claim that an audience will accept as being true without requiring proof, although an explanation might be asked for. An opinion is a claim that an audience will not accept as true without proof.

Q2:
-Citation format, Coordination of source materials with the emerging written product, writing a synthesis according to the number and length of the sources, abstractness or familiarity of the topic, uses that the writer must make according to the sources, degree and quality of original thought required, the extent to which the sources will supply the structure and purpose of the paper, Students read sources as if their stories, students expect their sources to tell the truth, and many students don't understand that facts are a kind of claim.
-I think Kantz is correct, I dont necessarily comprehend everything in the list above, but after reading about it the one I understand the most is the degree and quality of original thought required. When I always wrote papers I never went into deep thought as I should of. Making my papers unoriginal and very basic. I also understand now that I must make the best use out of my sources and going about using them in different ways.

Applying and Exploring Ideas

Q2:
When writing papers you need to find a angle such as inventing a problem and purpose for a paper and create a structure for your argument, much like Alice wanted Shirley to do. Instead of just relaying information from the text to reader, you want to find a niche and build off of it. The best example is Shirley picking a side of an argument and having a purpose for her paper. Creativity and research start to run into to each other when you gather information and find an interesting way to show them. For certain students like me I think that is easier said than done. So, if I can find a more creative way to relay my information I think I would be better off.

Meta Moment

I think Kantz is trying to tell us to write in a more abstract way instead of just going the easy route. This would be more useful to us in many ways including better grades on papers, but I think we might learn about a topic more if we think it through and critically think about it. This way we would show purpose to our papers.