A time for self-reflection

Chapter nine made a lot of sense when giving examples of the difference
between arguing for a position and just reporting about a position. I find myself
reporting more often in a paper instead of using argument to make a point. Some of
the things we need to be careful about when making an argument for or against a
point is to not confuse this with the other kind of argument we all find ourselves
in at times. This type of argument is based more on emotions and possibly ego. The
type of arguments needed for a research paper include using facts and persuasion to
get a point across. Using facts and persuasion alone is not enough, we have to be
able to analyze the facts and put them in terms that the audience can understand and
this is one of the things that separates an argument from reporting.

Chapter ten follows up on this idea of analyzing the facts preparing them
for each suitable audience. Knowing your audience and the purpose of what you want
to accomplish is also a key factor and sometimes gets lost during the writing of a
research paper. What is the point of taking time to gather all of this data and
write a paper if it means nothing to your audience other than a jumble of numbers or
quotes? Another key component to writing a good research paper is being sure the
facts you use are up to date. In my paper most of the facts have been set in stone
for centuries but on occasion an art historian or museum curator will find new
information and to use the old saying, the history books have to be rewritten. As
writers, we need to be vigilant in making certain that the data we present is the
most up to date and accurate we can present.

Both chapters made me do some self-evaluation and look more closely at how I
have written in the past and now I have a better understanding of my own personal
writing style and the changes that are necessary to take it to the next level.