Let's Just Skip Chapter 15... Unit 3 Reading Blog

Problem - No matter how hard students study, proposal arguments are a more difficult subject to understand than anything else covered in the Writing Arguments text.
Solution - Skip Chapter 15.
Justification - The remainder of the Writing Arguments text covers much more of the tools and skills needed for arguments and there are only two weeks left in this course.

The problem with this unit's material is that it is very hard to comprehend when compared to the previous units' subject matter. Proposal arguments require more of a deeply concentrated strategy than just employing the ideas and concepts of the Rhetorical Triangle. They require a more audience-concentrated look into convincing the reader, predicting their reactions, and evaluating the consequences of said proposal. Furthermore, proposals require a lot more specific details about the problem. The utilization of “claim type” strategies or “stock issues” strategies is strongly recommended, although the text does not provide a solid definition of either. It is NEVER safe to assume, although that is what is requested from this unit.

Let’s Just Move On To The Next Unit…Why?

There are only two weeks left for this course and still a lot of material to cover. Because the benefit of covering more material outweighs the cost of being overwhelmed by proposals and possibly receiving a lower grade, this request should be considered. If Chapter 15 is skipped, having already made some really good arguments as a result of the material covered in earlier units, the learning process is not stunted by the confusion inflicted by learning proposal arguments.

--- This argument is a good example of the usage of “claims type” strategy. In explaining an argument with any sort of reasonable meaning, it becomes characteristic of a "claims type" strategy.
     On the other hand, using the "stock issues" strategy would completely kill this whole argument TO DEATH…further supporting the idea that Chapter 15 should be skipped.

The "Yes We Can" Proposal

The campaign trail is easily the most argumentative side of politics. Not only do the candidates debate with one another, as well as the media, they also have to convince the citizens that they are worthy of a vote. They present facts about political problems/issues, degrade current political practices, and slander their competitors all in the name of a vote. The biggest part of a politician's argument is his/her credibility. It's no wonder that there is always a controversial story to be found about a candidate, usually leaked to the press by an opponent.

When Barack Hussein Obama was running for President, I was not on his bandwagon. He was neither interesting nor familiar. Also, Obama sounds too much like Osama. As his campaign continued, I began to listen to some of the issues he so eloquently discussed. After doing a little research, I found that he did have some credible political experience.

Obama used the country's overall declining morale to his advantage. The "Yes We Can" slogan narrowly touched the majority of issues that the people of a declining economy wanted to hear: unemployment, health care, the war, raising minimum wage, tax breaks, and education. For each issue Obama not only described the problem, but he claimed a systematic way of fixing the problem and maximizing the results while minimizing the costs of this change. He probably didn't believe one fourth of what he was saying, but it sounded really convincing. If thousands of people start saying yes we can, there's gotta be a great deal of respect and trust in these claims.

I'm on the fence about Obama now, but he definitely got me when he needed me most. While many of his "proposals" are yet to happen, he's already begun to gain people's trust again with the "progress is a process" excuse/reason/reference. Obama is definitely a good proposal argument writer and politician. I also heard that he owns a hardware store and lots of luxurious log cabins. 

Response to Tom’s Great Proposal Argument

Response to Tom’s Great Proposal Argument

Tom, those are all really strong issues to consider in establishing a career or just trying to bring home the bacon. I side with you on that argument. The typical 8 hour day may not work for some, but it’s more commonly manageable when you think about the balance of home and work life. From a company standpoint, production is the number one factor, although they’ll tell you it’s safety.

My employer gives each job/craft different schedules. The employee then chooses the job with the schedule that works best for him/her. Some jobs work 8 days straight for 10 hours with 7 consecutive days off. Others work 10 hours for 4 days with 3 consecutive days off. I’ve got the old faithful M-F, 8 hours times 5 days equals 60 hours in a week (that’s what it feels like).

My argument would be for the 10-2 shift five days M-F. Let’s sleep in, see the kids off to school, and go to work at 10am. Then work 4 straight hours, fully energized and completely productive. After that, go home and have a little peace and quiet before the family arrives. Instead of paying workers for 8 hours/day, (in which 3 of those hours are spent lollygagging, gossiping, and smoking), maximize production while minimizing manpower costs! It’s a win-win situation… if your wife has a great paying job.       

Don’t Try This at Home

WARNING! WARNING! HUSBANDS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE OR UTILIZE ANY OF THE ARGUMENTAL STRATEGIES DISCUSSED IN THIS UNIT ON YOUR WIFE. IT COULD LEAD YOU TO THE COUCH, SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH!

 That’s the power of what this unit has covered. It first explains what the essential parts are to a real argument. They are Logos, Pathos, and Ethos, also known as the Rhetorical Triangle. It then gives a how-to on each of these essential units. As any married man would know, a primary adversary to any argument is skepticism. Well, this how-to-lose-a-wife-in-30-days text gives specific instructions on how to not only counter, but avoid doubt through the proper use of the rhetorical triangle and the implementation of The Toulmin System . The best answer doesn’t have to be “because I said so”. To support an argument with actual reasons (not excuses) is to put a man on the couch for a few days, but that’s what the good book says, lol.

                               (announcer says) Try Enthymeme!

That’s all it is, a try. It’s a completely innocent gamble at gaining a leg up on the audience. When used successfully, many donkeys will kick simultaneously. It really is never safe to assume, but chapter five provides the tools needed to provoke readers to do so.

                             --She just yanked the covers off you!!—

           (announcer says) And the winner is…. The Wife (in most cases).

The victor successfully inserts all of the tools/ingredients mentioned above into a gorgeous salad. Now all that’s needed is the dressing, STAR criteria. STAR criteria, when applied correctly, will yield the maximum possible returns on any argument. Anyone with sufficient evidence and proper presentation always receives favor, or at least they do on TV. A lack of said evidence takes away from accountability, which then breaks the foundation/rhetorical triangle.

          CAUTION: FRAGILE INFORMATION! HANDLE WITH CARE!   

It's Alive!!!

It’s Alive!!!

- I have just mysteriously landed inside the Rhetorical Triangle-

Upon my arrival to this strange place I found myself alone and surrounded by complete silence. My only companionship was the stranger at each corner. The silence was killing me so I traveled to the north corner where I met Logos the lumberjack. She was a tall and burly masterpiece (I like em’ big so don’t hate), but still I approached with caution. Noticing my heavy backpack and uneasy vibe, she smiled and we began to talk. Easing the tension, Logos told me that knowledge and complete understanding were the keys to her success. We explored a few “thoughts” together and I found that I only believe and respond to what makes sense to me.

I then gathered my things and traveled to the Southeast corner of this creepy land. As I approached the next corner I noticed that the silence (that was killing me before) had been replaced by random and sporadic memories and ideas, followed by images of the lumberjack. I then walked right into a wooden oasis of gorgeous log cabins and a hardware store where I met the owner, Barack Ethos. Mr. Ethos told me the story of how he started with nothing but an idea and built “this wooden empire”. As we toured this cedar and oak estate I began to HEAR and see what he was actually saying.

So, Barack told me that there was food to the West. This time while I walked I tried to keep an open mind about the situation. I thought of why I know what I know. I thought of how my legs and back hurt (not from the walking), and how Barack got to be where he is today. 

At the West corner I came across a general store. It was run by an old widow named Paula Pathos (maiden name). She was clearly veeery lonely so I (Noo way!) talked to her for a while. Mama Pathos (she wanted me to call her that) shared her story of how she lost her husband in a tragic log cutting accident, her daughter now runs the business, and her son is a successful entrepreneur (gracefully mispronounced). She also said that she could see the future. At this point I’m thinking this lady is cookoo for cocoa puffs! She then explains how she told her son to prepare for the population to grow rather quickly. That’s why he built all those cabins. He trusted his crazy Mama. She then tells me that her daughter up North just called and is pregnant with sextuplets. I then ran away to a corner to cry. While weeping I came up with this best-selling short story. I get it, do you?    

Response to Ivory's Triangle Blog

Response to Ivory’s Triangle Blog

Ivory, I found your relation of a preacher’s message to be spot on with the primary objectives of the Rhetorical Triangle. As a matter of fact, your blog itself is a pretty good example of pathos. It would seem to appeal more to those of us that have a heart for preventing teen pregnancy and drug use (hopefully not together), or those of us with a more biblical heart.

I thought of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the blazing furnace when I was trying come up with an analogy (See Daniel Ch 1-3). Of course, the fire is the whole writing arguments process. It just burns to stare at the screen for hours and only have typed my title page. These three guys were so confident in their faith and what they had been taught that the fire didn’t even faze them at all. They stood together like a Super-sized Kit Kat.

-- Ok, the Kit Kat can be broken into pieces and still taste good, but it just looks better all together --  

These guys walked around in the fire until they were told to get out. That’s how I strive to be in this writing arguments process.