"What Is It We Do When We Write Articles Like This One--and How Can We Get Students to Join Us?"

Summary

   In Michael Kleine's, "What Is It We Do When We Write Articles Like This One--and How Can We Get Students to Join Us?", Kleine starts off by describing to the reader a "horrific" scene in which he walks into a night library to conduct research. He sees high school and college students essentially copying textual sources and facts from books, and transferring them into their own words onto paper. Kleine proceeds to talk about his experience in researching and eventually decides to conduct an experiment in which he creates a chart to label his peers as either hunter or gatherer. Kleine then breaks them down into a further subcategory based on their research techniques. Kleine's main purpose in the whole reading is to explain to the reader that researching is not copying information from one page to another, but rather using your own mind and writing ability to learn and express ideas. At the end of the article, Kleine explains to the reader that although the chart he created was not as effective as he would have liked, he came to a realization that everyone  goes about conducting research in their own way.

  Synthesis

   In Michael Kleine's article, "What Is It We Do When We Write Articles Like This One--and How Can We Get Students to Join Us?", Kleine stresses the importance of using one's own writing ability and information, rather than transferring text from one page to another. I believe that with the use of John Swales' "Establishing a Niche", that a student could compose a strong and very effective writing style, which would ultimately aid in the ability to do research. Overall, helping the student to develop his/her writing abilities.

  Questions for Discussion

1.) It was actually kind of funny to read the introduction to Michael Kleine's article. Reading about the high school students copying text from a book to their paper and putting it in their own words was what I and most of my peers did in high school. But, after reading this article, I feel that I really do have a better understanding of how to properly write a research paper. By using the framing method along with using my original words and ideas, i believe that I can become a better writer.

3.) I believe that sources play a large role in the research of the professionals Kleine interviews. Without the sources, there wouldn't really be any factual evidence or data in which to base the whole interviews and study off of. In my experience, research has played a major role. I would usually just find something that would fit into the paper that I was writing, not really understanding the material itself. Kleine uses his research to develop what he is trying to say to the reader.

4.) If I were to do what Kleine talks about in his article, I would try to understand the information that I am compiling for a research paper, or for any paper. I would also use more of my own thoughts and ideas. I definitely feel like using the suggestions that Kleine presents will improve almost anyones writing.

  Thoughts

  I find that I can definitely benefit from Kleine's article, and that almost any other student-writer would agree. His advice on the proper way to go about researching is one that many student-writers tend to struggle with. Overall, I will definitely find myself taking Kleine's advice from this article.

Questions for Discussion & Journaling / Applying & Exploring Ideas

Summary

In Stuart Greene's article, "Argument as Conversation", Greene suggests to the reader that using the method of framing is especially effective when researching and trying to convince others to think your way. Greene stresses that narrowing down the topic and focusing in on the main points is vital and will help not only the audience being addressed, but also the student to be more organized in their thought and ideas.

Synthesis

When comparing the authors Greene and Swale, I found that both seem to have relatively the same suggestion to the reader, and that is to basically narrow down ideas and thoughts when researching and/or writing. Greene suggests the method of framing, while Swale calls it occupying a niche. Both are essentially the same concept.

Questions for Discussion & Journaling (pg.20)

2.) I believe that Greene quotes Kenneth Burke's oft-quoted passage because it is a situation that many, if not all of us have been in before. The moment when you or someone else walks in on an argument or heated discussion without any previous knowledge or idea of what is being discussed, until you grab the main idea of the conflict. Greene uses this passage to explain that the argument occurring has probably been argued over before. Therefore, there are already factual answers or responses that help support one of the opposing sides. This previous research, can help benefit oneself when entering a heated debate. Burke expresses how an argument is never really "over", and  how almost anyone who decides to enter an argument probably has some sort of knowledge on the topic being discussed.

Greene relates this to writing by saying that, "learning how to write a researched argument is a process of learning how to enter conversations" (Greene par.5)

3.) Framing is a process in which helps you name your position, explain it, create counter-arguments, and gather ideas together. Greene uses the example of a camera to show how the photographer focuses on a particular subject, which he/she would want to present. Just  like how someone would present their ideas in an argument.

Applying & Exploring Ideas (pg.21)

2.) Greene's article does represent a conversation. He is able to connect with the reader and properly uses the framing technique, especially by inserting quotes and other articles.

Thoughts

I believe that the reading was interesting and that the reader can take a lot from it. The technique of framing can be very helpful when conducting research. It can also be useful in everyday life when you're trying to just organize thoughts and ideas. Greene's suggestion of framing will be especially helpful to me in the near future.

Before You Read

Before You Read Activity
(Stuart Greene)

Often times, an argument arises because of a disagreement between two parties or an issue occurs. The word itself is immediately thought of in a negative light, and is often times associated with words such as, "fighting" or "altercation". However, the word argument can be viewed in a more positive state of mind. Arguments occur in order to address problems and find solutions. In an academic setting, an argument can help with the advancement of studies by discussing issues that may be hindering research/studies. The difference between an everyday argument versus an argument in an academic setting, is that arguments in an academic setting often times leads to an advancement of some sort, while everyday arguments can usually leave the parties with unresolved tension.