Midterm Portfolio Revision

    In my revision of the midterm portfolio I first sought to read through Mr. Frank's comments on my draft. The comments I received insisted me to further my explanation of sources and come up with a solution to the problem. I read through my entire essay in order to figure out what I need to organize and where to add my solution. While reading I noticed some simple grammatical errors and I fixed them. I also added onto one of my sources. I wanted to further evaluate its meaning and purpose in my essay. I felt that I did not fully explain what my paper was about. By evaluating and elaborating on this one idea, the reader may have a better understanding of why I chose that piece. I would like to do this to all of my sources. After reading my essay I did realize that the main purpose was kind of lost and unclear. In order to make my point more transparent I created notes on the things I needed to add and where I should add them. For example, I wrote that I should create a solutions paragraph near the end of the essay.
    I did consider replacing one of my sources for a source that referred to the other side of the issue, however I decided not to fulfill this consideration. I realized that the time searching for another work that went against my argument would be too difficult and time consuming. I would rather work and edit with what I already have. In order to acknowledge the other side, I am going to create a paragraph that shows some pros of the injustice of social class by using sources that I already have. I think this could be a beneficial argument to include in my essay, however I will have to be aware of misrepresenting the works I have.
    

From Inquiry to Academic Writing: Chapter Five

    In Chapter Five, Formulating to Developing a Thesis, of From Inquiry to Academic Writing, the main purpose of the chapter is explaining what a thesis is and what it provides for your paper. A thesis is "an assertion that academic writers make at the beginning of what they write and then support with evidence throughout their essay"(83). The thesis can be compared to a shish kebab as it must pierce through every statement and paragraph, allowing each idea to be held together. The thesis statement is usually placed near the beginning of the paper and makes an argument about a certain conversation that is clear and supported. It is used as the basis of every paragraph that follows and conveys a perspective on the issue while taking other controversial sides into account.

    When writing a paper the first crucial step is forming a working thesis. The working thesis provides an idea or basis for your final thesis. The working thesis is there to promote more more reading and writing of your paper. It will allow you to further your analysis and come up with more questions. It is very important to understand the this first working thesis should never be your final thesis. The working thesis is there to further elaborate and change in order to come up with your final thesis.
    When writing a working thesis there are many ways to approach your argument. There are three specific ways in order to state the thesis. The first is the Correcting-Misinterpretation Model where you "correct writers who arguments you believe have misconstrued one or more important aspects of an issue"(85). The second is the Filling-The-Gap Model where a "claim of value" is usually stated. It points to what other writers have not included in their works and a closer look of the issue reveals something alternative. The last model is the Modifying-What-Others-Have-Said Model where you take your understanding of another work and modify it to make a suggestion.
   I have learned a couple of good things from this chapter. It will definitely help when revising my paper. I can use some these techniques and advice to strengthen my paper and make it clearer. One thing I liked was the use of context as a background into your issue. It's important to introduce the topic and have an understanding of it in order to create some credibility to your argument and to also create more clarification for your audience.
  

From Inquiry to Academic Writing Chapter Four

    I am so READY for this Sunday to come. I want a weekend so badly AND I want my baby back, baby back RIBS. I'm gonna pig it out with my bestie. We WERE gonna eat at Buffalo Wild Wings but we saw this show on Food Network about BBQ's and got HOOKED. So we decided to eat out at the Dog House Grill. Mmm. YUM!
    In Chapter Four of From Inquiry to Academic Writing, the main purpose of the chapter is to identify multiple views on an issue and evaluate that issue with questions. First off, before you can write critically and evaluate your issues, must first read critically. When reading you should think about why this person is arguing the statement? Only then can you write about your own inquiries on the subject. The questions on page sixty five are of great importance because they will definitely  boost the rhetoric in our papers. Just like in the previous chapter of this book, where we should look closely at the claims we read, we should also look at the claims that our source make. By explaining what the source is about and why it is important, we can further clarify its significance to our arguments. Also by identifying how the source intends to persuade us, we can see its effectiveness within our thinking. These questions not only deal with how to interpret the sources we use but how we use our own sources within our writing.
    In our writing we should take our audience into consideration. Our writing should connect to the readers who understand the subject and even those who cannot. This relates to the chapter "So what? Who cares?" in They Say, I Say. We have to makes sure the audience understands the purpose of the issue and how this issue will effect them in some way. In this use of audience awareness we will be able to make our point clear and persuasive to the audience. We should also be sure to evaluate both sides of the issue or multiple sides to the issue. In that way the audience is able to see how either side will outcome to. The audience is then given the choice to choose a side. Without this choice the readers are unable to make a fair choice.
    Another important issue in this chapter is the misconception of the personal word "I" within college level essays. Using the personal views and personal beliefs will often strengthen your argument. After all it is personal experience which teaches us what to believe and shapes who we are. With these stories you can bring life into your essay, using personal thought to argue a point and make connections with our daily lives.

    It is FINALLY March!!! I am super STOKED for the BEACH! There's only 29 more days until I go on a road trip with my best friend. We're going to the Mystery Spot. :D