Reflection of Project III

Prabhu B. "Spectacular Reflections" 2007
Public Domain

1. What was specifically revised from one draft to the next?

After reviewing my original document, I found that my argumentation style was beginning to skew. Instead keeping with the refutation argumentation concepts, I started to propose solutions to the issues, support some of the claims made by the article I was reviewing its points, or just going off on tangents. I stuck with the refutation strategy as seen in the quote below.

Ex. The fact in the matter is that Harmon and other anti-sequencing authors are misinformed or misinterpreting the science itself. Why is Harmon and the sequencing opposition misinformed? The most reasonable assumption would be that these opponents are victims of “pop science,” the blind acceptance of facts or fear of new science that has been relentlessly cycled through mass media.

2. Point to global changes: how did you reconsider your thesis or organization?

I kept my original thesis. I found that if I kept to the point I listed while brainstorming I won't have to revise my argumentation style. I think that was the real issue with my draft. I had a thesis that clearly indicated a refutation style argument; but I just didn't stick with the points.

3. What led you to these changes? A reconsideration of audience? A shift in purpose?

Although I did not change my thesis, I did reconsider my audience. I couldn't write an article that used a series of complex statistics to support my claims. Instead I used emotion an ethical appeals in order to indicate the loop holes in my opponent's argumentation. I realized that my audience was the general middle class American who does have a in depth knowledge of gene mapping, so I kept with the basics.

4. How do these changes affect your credibility as an author?

I think it increases/strengthens my credibility, as I write to inform the reader in the strongest way possible. It would be unethical, moreover ridiculous to bombard my reader with complicated statistics on an issue they won't research further into.

5. How will these changes better address the audience or venue?

I will inform the reader in the strongest way possible. It would be ridiculous to bombard my reader with complicated statistics on an issue they won't research further into. Plus, my writing style mirrors a TIME magazine article. It should be simple, visually appealing, and relatively easy to read.

6. Point to local changes: how did you reconsider sentence structure and style?

I kept with my normal sentence structure. I found that is was simple enough for the general reader to follow but also included enough information to support my claims. Normally my sentences were designed to look like the example below.

Ex. However the manuscript eventually shifts from research and data oriented subject matter to the basic theory of genome mapping. That theory states, in layman's terms, that there will come a time where it will be necessary for the human race to engineer its own DNA as its fundamental properties will stand as a limitation to human progress.

7. How will these changes assist your audience in understanding your purpose?

If the reader can understand the topic and issue with less academic vocabulary and more emotional appeals in terms of rhetoric, than a greater portion of my audience will understand the point I am trying to make and support my claims.

8. Did you have to reconsider the conventions of the particular genre in which you are writing?

No, I kept with the style the TIME magazine company used and the final result looked like an extended/special edition of a TIME magazine report.

9. Finally, how does the process of reflection help you reconsider your identity as a writer?

I feel that the draft I create will always be second rate to the final product. I realized that any brainstorming writing I usually make when I want to quickly create a document for this project is not as great or organized compared to a document that I revised for hours and monitored the document's style.  

Publishing Public Argument

Here is my Final Project Three Report!

U.S Mint. "Three-Cent Nickel" 1871
Public Domain

1. Mark with an "x" where you feel your target audience currently stands on the issue (before reading/watching/hearing your argument) below:

←-------------------------------------X--------------|-------------------------X------------------------------->

Strongly                                            Totally neutral                                                    Strongly

agree                                                                                                                          disagree

2. Now mark with an "x" where you feel your target audience should be (after they've read/watched/heard your argument) below:

←----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------X----------->

Strongly                                            Totally neutral                                                    Strongly

agree                                                                                                                          disagree

3. Check one (and only one) of the argument types below for your public argument:

         _______ My public argument establishes an original pro position on an issue of debate.

         _______ My public argument establishes an original con position on an issue of debate.

         _______ My public argument clarifies the causes for a problem that is being debated.

         _______ My public argument proposes a solution for a problem that is being debated.

         _______ My public argument positively evaluate a specific solution or policy under debate (and clearly identifies the idea I'm supporting).

         _____X__ My public argument openly refutes a specific solution or policy under debate (and clearly identifies the idea I'm refuting).

4. Briefly explain how your public argument doesn’t simply restate information from other sources, but provides original context and insight into the situation:

I avoided commentary on the article in question. I simply referred to any relevant information about the issue in quotations or added any previous information in order to support my claim. Most of the article was based on my personal opinion on the issue, which I then supported be referring to outside authors.  

5. Identify the specific rhetorical appeals you believe you've employed n your public argument below:

I believed I used logos and ethos throughout the piece. I tried to debunk my opponent's argument by demeaning the substance behind it; either by referring to the loop holes in the argument or the ridiculousness of the rhetoric involved in the argument/article. 

Ethical or credibility-establishing appeals

                   

 ___x__ Telling personal stories that establish a credible point-of-view

                   

 ___x_ Referring to credible sources (established journalism, credentialed experts, etc.)

                    

____X_ Employing carefully chosen key words or phrases that demonstrate you are credible (proper terminology, strong but clear vocabulary, etc.)

                   

 ___X__ Adopting a tone that is inviting and trustworthy rather than distancing or alienating

                 

 ___X__ Arranging visual elements properly (not employing watermarked images, cropping images carefully, avoiding sloppy presentation)

                   

 ___X__ Establishing your own public image in an inviting way (using an appropriate images of yourself, if you appear on camera dressing in a warm or friendly or professional manner, appearing against a background that’s welcoming or credibility-establishing)

                    

_____ Sharing any personal expertise you may possess about the subject (your identity as a student in your discipline affords you some authority here)

                    

___X__ Openly acknowledging counterarguments and refuting them intelligently

                   

 ___X__ Appealing openly to the values and beliefs shared by the audience (remember that the website/platform/YouTube channel your argument is designed for helps determine the kind of audience who will encounter your piece)

                   

 _____ Other: 

Logical or rational appeals

                    

__X___ Using historical records from credible sources in order to establish precedents, trends, or patterns

                   

 __X___ Using statistics from credible sources in order to establish precedents, trends, or patterns

                   

 _____ Using interviews from stakeholders that help affirm your stance or position

                   

 __X___ Using expert opinions that help affirm your stance or position

                   

 ___X__ Effective organization of elements, images, text, etc.

                   

 ___X__ Clear transitions between different sections of the argument (by using title cards, interstitial music, voice over, etc.)

                   

 ___X__ Crafted sequencing of images/text/content in order to make linear arguments

                   

 ___X__ Intentional emphasis on specific images/text/content in order to strengthen argument

                   

 ___X__ Careful design of size/color relationships between objects to effectively direct the viewer’s attention/gaze (for visual arguments)

                   

Hyperlinks:

• Genetic Testing Company 23andMe Returns to the Market
• Genetic Test Impacts Chemo Choices In Surprising Ways
• What We Learn When We Sequence the Genes of An Entire Nation

Reflection on Project III Draft

Hine, Lewis. "Glass Factory Worker" 1911
Public Domain

Below, I answer a series of questions regarding the Project III draft review. I reviewed the drafts made by Savannah and Mehruba, and found the work they made influential for future revisions in my draft.

• Who reviewed my Project III Draft?

Trey Blocker was the only person to review my draft. I assume that more people will eventually comment on it, but since I am making this post now I can only confirm Trey's contribution.

• What did you think and/or feel about the feedback you received?

Trey was very informative in the draft commentary. he stated that I should keep with the argument style I am aiming for- a rebuttal of an article that discredits my position. Furthermore, I rally need to skim through the draft and remove the excess research data and medical findings statistics. They seem to overwhelm the piece and at times confuse the reader. Other than the minor grammar and spelling errors, the essay seem to flow well.

•  What aspects of Project III need the most work going forward?

I would have to work on the target argumentation style as well as keeping with the theme of the piece. I am trying to design an article style essay that gives the reader just enough information about the issue so that the author can propose or rebuke the context of the debate. I am trying to design a counter argument to the gene sequencing opposition's core beliefs, pinpoint inconsistencies, and remind the reader of the flaws within their argumentation styles.

• How are you feeling overall about the direction of your project after peer review and/or instructor conferences this week?

I feel more confident in the overall direction of my draft. I now know that I have to focus more on a rebuttal style essay rather than melding the argument style into a proposal, rebuttal, and position hybrid. I found that such a combination will overwhelm the reader, contribute to my essay being too lengthy- especially in regards to the design of the piece- and that the information I would use would frequently be repeated throughout. I am trying to approach this essay with a new form of argumentation and keep the overall piece brief.

Draft of Public Argument

Reneman. "Draft" 2013
Public Domain

Hello Everyone,

Below I have posted the link to my first draft of the Public Arguments document for Project III. I would like some constructive criticism regarding the format, the sentence structures, and the overall flow of the piece. My aim for this project was to have a TIME magazine style article that addresses the issue of Gene Sequencing. I have only included one picture since that is custom to TIME articles, a bold font text to give the reader a basic idea of the article's subject, and multiple brief paragraphs.

I have written the first two paragraphs in order to get a feel to the style, please comment.
Here is the Link. Enjoy!

Considering Visual Elements

\Seurat, Georges. "Gray Weather" 1888
Public Domain

Below, I discuss the importance of visual elements in a writing piece, as they pose as a means to draw in the reader and keep interests active. I will also be answering questions regarding the use of visual aids from the Writing Public Lives readings.

• How might I vary the fonts in my project for emphasis?

I will vary the fonts for headings and subheadings to indicate a change in ideas or to highlight a significant concept.

• How might I vary the fonts used in my project for emphasis, such as in the title and body of my project?

1. The fonts should not be too frequent and only used when emphasizing a crucial point in your article.
2. The title font should be larger than the normal text to indicate the overall issue address in the piece as well as grab the reader's attention.

• Is the feeling or tone that the image invokes appropriate to the visual-rhetorical tone of my argument?

1. The image I plan on using will be relevant to my issue. Most likely a snap shot of the gene sequencing process or a portrait of a prominent figure in the gene mapping industry. If I use this type of image, the tone will be more academic or civil; therefore, being similar to the tone I will use throughout the piece. 

• Is the image in close proximity to the argument that it is emphasizing or illustrating?

1. I will most likely use only one picture for my piece, since the magazine I am imitating in my work usually has one large image atop of the main body paragraphs.
2. The use for multiple pictures my take away the credibility of my work, since my main goal in this article is to give statistical data as well as a position argument supporting the Pro-sequencing stance on the debate.

• If your project contains large blocks of text, could they be broken up more efficiently using text boxes, lines, headings, or images?

1. I plan on keeping each paragraph brief and readable. So the use of multiple pictures will not really fit in this type of genre. The use of many headings and subheadings may confuse the reader or overwhelm the idea with many trivial points.

• If you are calling your audience to take action, are the consequences of not taking action and the benefits of taking action clearly expressed?

1. My genre isn't formatted to entice my audience into "taking action" on the issue, rather informing the audience of a specific issue in the medical field, discrediting the attacks made on the gene sequencing technology, giving the reader reasons why I support the use of gene mapping technologies in a hospital setting, and allude to the benefits of gene mapping in society in terms of job growth and personalized healthcare. 

Reflection: 

After reading the posts made by Morgan and Kelly, I now feel more confident writing in a format style that strictly keeps with the logistics and ethical argumentation of a issue. The idea of using multiple pictures or an frequent use of heading/subheadings seems excessive. My genre is purely an informative text that addresses an issue regarding the medical field of study, discredits the opposing argument by noting its ethical and statistical inconsistencies, and leaves enough article "room" to present my position on the issue. I want my article to be readable and and easy to comprehend to a large general audience, therefore the use of complex rhetoric or extensive research analysis would be ineffective.  

Project III Outline

In the post below, I will create an outline that will give a structured and organized system by which I will use for the creation of my Project III draft. I will also use the Writing Public Lives text to help me construct a better public argument. 

Klein. "East German School" 1951
Public Domain 

 Introducing Your Public Argument

Introduction:

• Connect the issue with a current event.

1. Refer to the Obamacare medical plan's influence in healthcare research.
2. Growing Industry of Gene Mapping
3. Existing confusion or ignorance towards the gene sciences.
4. Recognize the existing debate between Pro-Sequence groups and Anti-Sequencing groups.

• Include a visual aid above this introduction for "hook" purposes. Also the use of a bold text prior to any major thesis or formal introduction should be used. The bolded ext should give a definition or raise a question.

Body

• The Major Supporting Argument in Favor of Gene Sequencing.

1. Profits involved in gene sequencing. Job growth in major sciences.
2. Personalized healthcare system. Cost efficiency.
3. Possible means to expunge cancer genes from the DNA code.

• Claim I- Statistics & the Affects on Reasoning

1.  Multiple Sources supporting gene sequencing's findings. 
2. Note that Outdated Statistics seem to be the primary support for opposition arguments.
3. Refer to Harmon works, contributed to the weakening of her argument due to the origins and relevance of her data. The data may have a political lean or is outdated to today's standards.
4. Context of major anti-sequencing articles- (2008).

• Claim II- Recognizing the Divide

1. Accusations & Elitism- Debunk these theories with Scientific fact about gene sequencing's meaning.
2. Many feel compelled to accuse the upper class of marginalizing the medical process, turning it into a "luxury'. 
3. Little to no evidence of this "mass trend" among wealthy.
4. Believe that a possible genetic "elite" may form in these higher classes.
5. Present the audience with solid evidence supporting the concept that gene sequencing is merely a method by which one's DNA can be documented. 
6. Note that science has yet to create technology capable of altering one's DNA after birth. 

• Claim III- Benefits of Gene Sequencing in Hospitals/ Flaws of the Opposition.

1. The main differences between these two groups lies within the concepts of reliable data or conjecture. The Pro-sequencing groups believe that the data that currently exists is evidence enough for major steps towards integrating the technology into diagnostic medicine. In contrast, the Opposition believes that the evidence collected is inconclusive or flawed in some cases.
2. Present data that support the idea that gene mapping may become a multi million dollar industry.
3. The Pro-sequencing group's argument references the limitless diagnostic applications of gene maps. Also the perspective that this form of medical treatment will be the future of personalized modern medicine.
4. The ethical perspectives of the Opposition are in themselves unethical because the group may want to prevent genetic inequality or elitism in American society, but are inadvertently advocating for the deaths of many ailing from genetic illness. Such gene mapping tech. saves more lives rather than influencing the use of  abortions or causing malpractice deaths. 

Conclusion:

• Relevance of the statistical articles to the context of the debate.
• Reiterate the goal of the piece, and its points it used to create a claim.
• Restate thesis- shorter and more focused on the three points.
• Answer the goal of this project: How is an argument constructed in the discipline.
•  Profits involved in gene sequencing. Job growth in major sciences.
• Personalized healthcare system. Cost efficiency.
• Possible means to expunge cancer genes from the DNA code.

Final statement- Leaves the reader thinking more about your claim.

Analyzing My Genre

Since my topic involves scientific research, statistics, and medical journals I feel that the only way to cover such a heavily documented issue would be in the form of a magazine article; specifically, in the format and style of TIME magazine.

Unknown. "TIME Magazine Cover" 1933
Public Domain

Examples:

• Genetic Testing Company 23andMe Returns to the Market
• Genetic Test Impacts Chemo Choices In Surprising Ways
• What We Learn When We Sequence the Genes of An Entire Nation
• TIME Explains: Gene Sequencing
• Next Generation DNA Sequencing

Social Context

• Where is my genre typically set?

TIME magazine is an international current events periodical that covers abroad range of current issues, scientific discoveries, economic projections, and various industrial innovations. TIME also has an online web site and an app that can send anyone with a portable device monthly updates/ current events.

• What is the subject of the genre? 

The magazine covers a very broad range of issue, current events, and scientific inquiries. Their article are designed to give a decent amount of information to their audiences/readers. However, the magazine does refer to many statistics and logistical data to corroborate their article's data.

• Who uses the genre? 

The magazine is intended to target a broad range of readers, however given the content of its articles the primary audience would be the educate upper middle classes of Western society. The article is more or less intended for American middle class citizens with some form of college education.

• When and Why is the genre used? What purposes does the genre serve for the people who use it?

The magazine serves as median to relay useful and relevant information on current debatable issues. The magazine aims to inform the bulk of Western society, the middle class, of issues surrounding their daily lives and create a more "educated population."

Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre

• What type of content is usually included or excluded?

Factual and statistical data is often included in this genre, as well as numerous quotes from individuals relevant to the article's topic. The author guides the reader's attention to the statistical or research findings so that he/she can explain its relevance to the issue.

• What rhetorical appeals are used most often? 

The genre usually uses logos and ethos rhetorical strategies. In TIME magazine, the authors always find some way to include data or appeals to the reader's ethical standards in their articles, so that the reader feels more inclined to remember and share the information to a greater audience. "Shock Affect".

• How are the texts organized?

The text usually opens with a small blurb about the issue at hand as well as its relevance to the reader's daily life. The blurb is then followed by a statistic or quote from an individual relevant to the article's topic so that the author can explain the importance of the issue as a whole and possible solutions.

• Do sentences in the genre share a certain style? What type of word choice is used?

The sentences are usually simple or compound-complex sentences with a decent quantity of academic vocabulary. This is partially due to the target audience, where the reader is well educated but not as sophisticated enough for scientific terminology. The sentences and vocabulary have a decent flow to them, so that the reader can easily understand the information without having to reread or think about meanings.

Context of the Genre

• Who does this genre include and who does it exclude?

The genre usually includes prominent researchers, political figures, relevant people of social status, or individuals who have first hand accounts of the issue. The genre is typically designed to include a wide spectrum of people who have had some impact on the topic or any debate regarding the topic.

• What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?

The author take on a informative tone in order to present statistics, quotes, information relevant to the issue. However, if the topic regards a practice that is obviously morally or ethically unjust, the author will shift the tone to one of disparaging and argumentative in order to express concern.

• What values and beliefs are assumed about or encouraged from the users of the genre? 

It is assumed that the reader wants to be an inform individual on the issue without having to use the more politically charged medians to receive such information, or even have to do substantial research on the topic. The reader want to know the information in a easy and readable format.

• What content does the genre treat as most valuable? Least valuable? 

The genre usually treats the statistical data and research commentary from individuals prominent in the field of study as the most valuable content in their articles. The least valuable would be the social commentary from people who may have experienced the issue at hand but have not made any serious contributions to data (Personal Accounts). 

Reflection:

After reading the genre posts made by Jessica and Nick, I found that a writer's understanding of his primary audience is vital when making an effective article or video. Of course, the article, blog post, or video is designed to appeal to a specific audience; but, the writer should keep in mind that he/she is trying to keep the target audience interested and appeal to a greater audience with a "new perspective" argument on the issue.