Allen

Getting Ready to Read

The way I define argument is two people having different views and disputing over the facts that they believe are more significant than those of the other. A lot of the time, when people do not agree about something, they call something an argument without hesitation. Arguments can spark from almost anything, though I feel that when an argument has many shades of gray, it is going to be hard to ever find an end or solution to that argument. In a more academic setting, I find an argument to rely more on solid facts with backed up sources so to ensure that the conflict did not rely just on one's opinion, but good solid facts that really showed good things on both sides. I find the difference between the two starts with the setting of both arguments. In an academic setting, the manner in which the argument is conducted will happen in a more sophisticated manner, while when the argument happens in the outside world, it is more likely to get out of hand. An academic setting allows the argument to rely more on facts than opinions, like it would in the outside world.

Summary

The article had to mostly do with using a conversational tone to better relate ones work to those who read it. Not only was the article on conversational tones but also the use of arguments and how instead of being biased, they can create a more comfortable setting where the person is able to explain their stance without sounding too harsh.

QD questions

2. Using the quote helps to better back up his stance on conversations that center around different arguments. Restating the quote also helps bring back the original quotes and points that Kenneth Burke first made. The extended quote mainly focused on the fact that many arguments have been an ongoing thing. There is no way to settle them because of all the areas of gray and the differing opinions of people. Depending on the person, the views and the points that are brought forward are going to be different from person to person. Writing a lot of the time centers around the writers opinions, therefore it is easy to fall into an argument, especially one that has already been started.

3. Framing is the angle that the writer is aiming for. The writer chooses a perspective to write from and continues to write from that perspective throughout the whole entire piece. Framing is very helpful for it allows the reader to understand exactly where the writer is coming from, which may also allow the reader to better judge wether or not the information is both accurate or more opinion based. Greene uses it to setup his point more powerfully and is able to get to the point quicker. Framing quickly allows for the writer to declare exactly where they are coming from so that the reader is not lost at all.

Applying and Exploring Ideas

2. I feel that the article does represent a conversation. The way the words flow on the page suggest more of a conversational manner, which allows the reader to feel more comfortable and informed. He frames his argument throughout the whole passage by showing knowledge and using other sources to better further his side of the argument and show an even broader range of knowledge. In "Argument as Conversation" I feel that Greene was able to "practice what he preaches" by showing that he took a specific stance and stuck with it, which is exactly what he had been dealing with when talking about framing and such throughout the entire passage.

My Thoughts

I found the reading to be very informative and helpful. Before, I never looked at an argument so closely, especially when it was in writing. Of course there had been the times where I had written argumentative essays and would go ahead and use framing without even really knowing that I was, but after fully understanding just how to set up these passages now, it becomes much easier to understand. Also, the excerpts used from other works helped me see it in different ways, which made it easier each time to understand.