Swales and Greene

Getting Ready to Read

When thinking about the word argument, I think of when one person is having a disagreement or issue with one or more other people. An argument can be when people dispute over a certain matter or topic. In an argument, people from both parties usually speak about what they believe or how they feel and why. In everyday conversation, the word argument is used when people want to express their beliefs of feelings on a matter. An argument usually comes up in an everyday conversation once someone challenges someone else’s beliefs or opinions and an argument can be created. When it comes to arguing in an academic setting, arguments are usually handled in a more civil and polite manner. If there is an argument in an academic setting, it is usually a positive argument that challenges students to think about their opinions and knowledge on the topic at hand. The argument is also probably being used to teach the students why or why not something is right or wrong. This type of argument is different from the everyday conversation argument because an everyday conversation argument is usually not for learning purposes and can often be used for negative things instead of positive. Also, the environments are also very different. An academic argument is done in a controlled setting and an every day conversation argument can easily turn into a fight and get out of hand.  

Summary

In John Swales article, “Create a Research Space” Model of Research Introductions, Swales is trying to show readers the three important steps of reading and writing research articles. Swales encourages readers to get appropriate background on their topic, find out exactly what needs to be researched, and finally create or find the right research project. Swales states that by completing these steps, the reader can successfully read or write a research project.

Summary

In Stuart Greene’s article, “Argument as Conversation: The Role of Inquiry in Writing a Researched Argument”, Green shows readers how to successfully be in and assess an argument, and how to make a researched argument. Greene states that to be successful at this, you must find the issue and situation, come up with questions that are clear and can be answered, and to find a strategy for your research. Following these steps will help the reader when creating a researched argument.  

Synthesis

These two articles are very similar because they are both about helping readers create good research and writing habits. They both give steps and guidelines on how to do these things. They also both use examples to help the reader understand. 

Questions for Discussion and Journaling

2. I believe that Greene uses this quote to give the reader a good example of how you should enter and participate in an argument. This quote shows us that when in an argument, you must carefully listen to the others in the argument as well as clearly expressing your own opinion on the matter. The metaphor that Burke uses shows us that you should not be afraid to express your own opinions when faced with an argument. It presents writing in a way that lets us know that we should be strong and persistent when sharing our opinion and knowledge with others.

3. Framing can help a writer express their opinions and thoughts when in an argument. It helps the writer decide exactly what he or she wants to say. Framing is a metephore for describing the perspective that the writer is coming from. This concept is important for Greene because he uses it when forming an argument. Framing allows the writer to narrow down what they want to say an how they want to go about expressing themselves. 

                                                      Applying and Exploring Ideas 

2. Greene's article expresses a conversation with himself and the reader. He is teaching the reader the steps and processes that he uses when forming and researching arguments. He frames his argument by telling the reader how to be successful at forming an argument. I believe that Greene does practice what he preaches because he gives the reader lots of advice and tools for successfully using argument as conversation. 

Thoughts

I thought that these readings were very interesting because they gave me lots of tips and advice about forming good research and being in a good argument. I will use the material that I learned from these articles in my future when i am wringing a research paper of entering an argument of my interest.