WP2 - PB2B - I like to Move it, Move it

Part 1: Templates   

 

The same structure of arguments can be found throughout many pieces of writing because they help improve the flow of the paper and create a more sound argument for the writer. In They Say, I Say (TSIS), there are featured templates for structuring different types of arguments, and although they are all not identical, they follow a similar setup across many papers. In the sources “Why Blog?” and “Navigating Genres”, we see different instances of the same set-up that all work to help uphold the author’s points.

             To begin, in “Navigating Genres” by Kerry Dirk, the templates presented in TSIS can be found throughout the text. Many of these quotes aren’t exact copies or identical to the prompt entirely, but they still follow the same structure and serve the same purpose. To begin, the explaining quotes templates in TSIS focuses on ways of elaborating on quotations. Dirk uses this template multiple times on pages 252, 253, and 254 where she writes such sentences as “In other words, Bitzer is saying that when something…” (252). This allows Dirk to clarify what she is trying to say, and clear up any misconceptions that may have occurred while also continuing to build on her argument at the same time. Another template Dirk follows is the capturing authorial action.  This is used on page 255 where Dirk writes, “Devitt points out …” and then proceeds to speak about genres and their different types. This has a different from purpose from explaining quotes, because rather than just explain a quote, Dirk goes deeper and analyzes the quote she was using.

            The article of “Why Blog?” by Alex Reid also follows many of the templates that are covered in TSIS. Firstly, the Introducing of Standard Views that was covered in TSIS is also used in “Why Blog?” as Reid begins the article by stating, “As Malcolm Gladwell and others have observed…” (302).  This allows Reid to state his idea right off the bat and be direct with the reader. Another template followed by Reid is the Establishing Why Claims Matter, which Reid uses on page 319. He begins with “And though blogging may not ultimately…” where he continues to go on and support his claim of blogging and why it should be performed. This helps him sum up his argument and present a final push of ideas to help sway the reader before the article is finished. Lastly, Reid uses the templates of making concessions while still standing your ground where he writes about commenting and first mentions commenting, and then later goes on to say, “Of course, comments also have their drawbacks” (319). Reid uses this as a way to present a topic along with its downsides to show the reader that his view is not perfect, but should be the right choice.

Part 2: The Slides (moves) of Joe

When looking closely into specific readings and actually reading like a writer, we see how writers of all skill levels are able to effectively (or ineffectively) communicate their argument to the audience. In the sources “Shitty First Draft” and “So What? Who Cares?”,  we can see the moves each author uses to help support their argument and get their point across.

            To begin, we see in “Shitty First Draft”, the title itself is a move done by the author to help improve the article. I like to call this “The Informality” which can be anything from profanity, to an inappropriate joke, to anything that isn’t normally said inside the classroom. This is effective here, because most people use fowl language and curse, so this automatically draws a reader in, and creates a relationship that goes beyond the page. Another move that Lamott makes is what I like to call “The Chisel”, in which Lamott takes the pedestal that readers sometimes place authors on, and begins to break it down. She mentions her time writing for a newspaper and how it probably caused a couple readers to cancel subscriptions. Although this joke is probably not true, it makes the author seem down to earth and relatable anyways. This is effective because it helps to show that writing is difficult for everyone and is a process that takes time even for our favorite authors.

            In the article “So What? Who Cares?”, we see the move which I like to call “Reaching Out” which involves the author knowing the intended audience and relating specific events inside the reading to the audience so that the audience can relate more to the author. Knowing this chapter is mostly for educational purposes and mostly students will be reading it, the author effectively relates the topic to students and lectures, connecting with most of the audience. This allows the reader to have a more ‘at-home’ analogy since they experience lectures regularly. Secondly, this article uses the same move as TSIS, which is “The Set-Up”. When using the Set-Up, an author provides templates or outlines for the reader that allows the reader to see how to set-up the technique that the author is describing. This has the potential to help sway readers into finding the information presented in the article more useful which means they may follow what the author is saying more closely than before. Lastly, the move of establishing headers is performed throughout. This can be called “Headers” (clever title, I know), which is the act of sectioning off the paper with subtitles to help establish the flow of the paper and present specific topics for each section. This is effective because it not only helps the reader know what each section is trying to focus on, but it provides a break from the monotony of paragraphs. In the end, moves can be the smallest of word choices, to the way a paper is set up, but each move must be calculated and must help support the argument in the end.