07 Class TUE SEP 27
Riddle
What can a ransom note teach us about making bold, clear, persuasive claims?

Click to launch the full Ransom Note Riddle
Rowan Votes

- https://sites.rowan.edu/academic-affairs/rippac/rowanvotes.html
- https://vote.civicnation.org/register/allintovote_rowanuniversity/
Writing Advice

This is a reminder that your essay is, by definition, an expression of your opinion. Your goal as a persuasive writer should be, through the authority of your voice and the soundness of your reasoning, to convince your readers that they are reading facts, not opinions. Reminding them that you’re just another knucklehead who read a book called “Declarations for Dummies” undercuts your authority.
Click here to see how constantly qualifying your claims turns a Declaration of Independence into a Weak Suggestion of Independence.
Let’s Argue

Click here to launch the “Panhandler Argument“
In-Text Citation Workshop
Link to a breakdown of some common punctuation and grammar errors, PLUS, an invitation to correct yours before you receive feedback.
Hypothesis Illustrated:
Self-Directed Lecture (with Task)
- Brief Introduction
- USAID tested the theory that direct aid to the poor would improve childhood nutrition more than trying to engineer nutrition programs for them, on the theory that the poor know what to do; they simply lack the resources.
- Link to “The ‘Give Directly’ Hypothesis”
- Contains a Brief “Discussion Exercise”
- Link to “The ‘Give Directly’ Hypothesis”
Hypothesis Hint
- First check out the “Hypothesis Feedback” Lecture page.
My Notes-
It is crucial that you minimize your hypothesis to become really specific in your topic.
Citation Punctuation Workshop – (small notes) most common issues are grammar and punctuation problems. Book titles and Publications are always italicized. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. The only expectation for a single quotation is when it is within a double quotation mark. Eliminate ending with a proposition.
Hypothesis Feedback – This section is in relation to Trump’s “hypothesis” statement about the wildfires that were taking place about a year ago. This section is used to look at this statement he made and how if there were to do as he hypothesized, how that would possibly work.
Stone Money Task – side note; in order to write this paper, you need to listen to the one-hour long broadcast. Examples are given within the section.
Personal Note – Stone Money 1000-word essay due before class on Monday.
Book titles and [other] Publications are always italicized.
3/3
Essay by definition is your opinion
DO NOT start with “in my opinion”
Need to start with authority
Some authors have built in authority
Built in advantage to move first
When writing you must have a powerful opening
Move first
The declaration of independence
Did not have authority but acted as if they did
Goal for persuasive argument
Suggest a change
Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks
Thomas Edison tried 500 times to make the lightbulb
Every experiment that does not work, is not a fail
Successfully proved that way did not work
Cows and chips
We decide how much money is worth
It’s not about what does the government say 20 dollars is worth its about what you can get for 20 dollars from who your buying from at the time your buying
Bartering is trading goods or services with no money involved
Old method of exchange
When Brazilians went into the grocery store they scan the room for the man with the price gun because of how fast he was raising prices they would run to get ahead of him.
Rarity and scarcity is valuable
Nice notes, Grizzly.
It means a lot to me that you choose to note the anecdotes. Thanks!
3/3
– authority can only help your arguments
– asking a question too soon can make your argument start on the defensive instead of the offence
– be sure of what your argument
– don’t beg for approval
– declare (with evidence, not like a dumbass)
– goal is to suggest a change (with paper)
– *check grammar links*
– some things are more than monetary value
– your readers have not read your sources
– articulate the meanings of the sources
– don’t use the cliché method of stating the dictionary definition to help your argument
I like that your Notes take the form of mandates on how to succeed. Do this! Remember that! Don’t be a dumbass! 🙂
3/3
Riddle
Geese know which bird to follow by following the one in front.
Writing advice
Trying to sound harmless by using phrases like “I believe” and “In my opinion” revokes your authority and soundness of your reasoning.
The Declaration of Independence is a good example of how using certain words will make a piece of writing sound less persuasive.
In-Text Citation Workshop
The New York Times is not italicized despite it being a publication.
There are quotation marks outside of quotation marks. Instead, there should be an apostrophe when trying to quote something that is already quoted. On the outside of the quote, there should be quotes.
Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks.
The common practice is to say “whose” for things and “that” for people.
Hypothesis Feedback
Be open to prevailing options surrounding your hypothesis and either accept or reject them.
The key is to produce a hypothesis with not much worthiness, then narrow it down to a non-intuitive and worthy topic.
Study Task
The government can determine the value of your money by designing it differently. However, the value of your money is based on what others value it as.
At a quick check, you can buy 10 bags of chips for $20. However, at Wawa, you may only be able to purchase 7 bags of chips for $20. Therefore, your money is valued higher at quick check rather than Wawa.
Some Corrections to otherwise good notes:
—Not so. The very clear and robust language of the Declaration of Independence makes nothing but clear and authoritative claims. The weakened version of the Declaration, produced by your professor as an example of what NOT to do and titled “The Weak Suggestion of Independence,” removes all persuasiveness from the original Declaration.
—Not so. The student’s paragraph did not italicize the New York Times, but as a publication, its name should be written New York Times.
—Not so. WordPress has a bug that doesn’t recognize pairs of quotation marks, which complicates getting them right, but THE RULE is clear. Professor Hodges told us, “Double quotes belong at the beginning and end of every quote, while ‘single quotes’ are used INSIDE double quotes.” No apostrophes. But on most keyboards, the way to type single quotes is to use apostrophes before and after the quote. Word processors will turn those marks into single quote marks. OK?
—Not so. People should always be who. Buildings are never who, but when they “possess” something, like windows, or histories, or even a name, we use whose to indicate the possessive form. Examples will help.
1. Bill, who you met at the opening, will be here tonight.
2. Bill, whose parents died, is inconsolable.
3. Bill, whose name you know from the program, lost his parents.
4. The building that we are using is an old one.
5. The building that the demolition crew tore down was the wrong one.
6. The building whose name was Wilson, will be torn down next semester.
Let me know you get this, please. 🙂
3/3
Class Notes 2/9/22
-Don’t make claims saying “I think” or “in my opinion” because nobody cares.
-The Declaration could have been merely a suggestion, but they demanded authority and did not look for approval from others.
-Never let readers know that you may be unclear in what you are talking about because they will lose interest and care.
-Goal of the paper is to recommend a change to something that we are either not looking at or addressing right now
-any sort of publications should be italicized (NY Times)\
-Punctuation always goes inside quotation marks!!
-Double quote and then single quote if you are quoting more than one person in a piece of evidence
-grammar is not a set of rules, it’s a guideline for making your writing concise and to the point
-Sometimes an experiment that fails is not a failure, it is one step closer to success.
-Edison failed 500 times before he found the correct tools that would make the light glow.
-The government did not decide how much money is worth, we decide how much its worth
-Never assume that your reader knows what you are writing about, but keep the summary short, sweet and to the point. Do not let it take away from the meaning, or explain majority of your word count on background info.
Very nice notes, Coffee.
One thing I’ve said you’ve taken too far.
—Not so. PERIODS and COMMAS always go inside quotation marks.
The rules are tricky but logical. And tricky. Question marks and exclamation points (and semicolons, colons) go INSIDE if they’re part of the quotation, but OUTSIDE if they’re part of the SENTENCE but NOT part of the equation.
Examples will help. Suppose I say this in class:
That sentence is correctly punctuated, with the period inside the quotation marks.
When you report what I said to someone else, you have to quote me.
That sentence is correctly punctuated, with the period inside BOTH sets of quotation marks.
That sentence is correctly punctuated, with the question mark OUTSIDE the quotation marks because the SENTENCE is a question, but the QUOTATION is not.
Two more. Suppose I say this in class:
When you report what I said to someone else, you have to quote me.
That sentence is correctly punctuated because the QUOTATION is a question but the sentence is not.
That sentence is correctly punctuated because the SENTENCE (also the quotation) is a question.
Please let me know you understand this. Thanks 🙂
3/3
Asking questions instead of claims in our arguments is not the way you should start.
Also starting with “In my opinion” is not effective.
Your essay’s should be an expression of your opinion.
Start on offense by claiming things in our writing.
If the declaration of independence was written without making claims and being direct, it would not have been effective at all.
Publications such as book titles and The New York Times get italicized.
Periods and commas always go inside quotations, no exceptions.
Grammar is a set of guidelines to assist you.
Finish the hypothesis exercise mentioned in class.
When explaining a topic, don’t keep things abstract.
“Cows and Chips” lecture made clear the “value” to certain arguments, and the effectiveness in writing.
Stone money assignment due Sunday.
Must listen to 4 minute podcast, first 10 mins of broadcast, read 5 page article, read sample essay.
Must listen to the entire 1-hour broadcast to hear the material about the Federal Reserve “Weekend at Bernanke’s,” and the Brazilian real.
3/3
I unfortunately came late because of other people doing what they call “driving” and almost hitting my car… So I’m frazzled
ANYWAYS
Punctuation and grammar:
Publications should be italicized
Quote inside quote single quote, quote outside, double quote.
Periods and commas always go inside quotes
English Grammar is honestly awful… not that I have any basis of grammar from any other spoken languages, but who decided all these rules were a good idea? It’s like they were trying to confuse people.
Grammar is a set of “guidelines”
The give directly hypothesis:
Sometimes proving your hypothesis wrong is still a proof
It sort of reminds me of math classes where they give a task like, they show you a proof that shows that “1=2” and you have to find the error in the proof and prove that 1 does not equal 2. It’s still a successful proof even if it strays from the original idea.
Money:
The government doesn’t decide how much money is worth
The people decide how much money is worth
It’s sorta like the laws of supply and demand
Stone Money task:
I am a bit worried about writing about something auditory rather than something I can read. It is so hard to focus and comprehend something auditory rather than visual.
Time to write and listen to/read the material feels like it is going to be a huge issue.
Talking about inflation:
I feel like that’s what’s happening now just not as fast. Over the past year gas prices have raised over a dollar. It’s almost impossible to save money. The amount of money I spend on gas to get to work is worth what I make in half an 8 hr shift. It’s crazy.
Provide the right amount of information:
Make sure not to give too much or too little background information
Because I’m your biggest fan, and I won’t feel successful unless you succeed:
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/423/transcript
Link to the “Invention of Money” transcript. 🙂
3/3
How do geese know which bird to follow? – the one in front
DO NOT write “in my opinion…” just make straightforward claims instead
“compelled” “required” “necessary”
COMMA GOES INSIDE THE QUOTATION MARKS
grammar is not a set of rules, it is a set of guidelines- a reflection of how the language is used
1. the authors of the study did not fail, they succeeded at proving that giving families $150 was enough money, and they needed to give them a little more
Must provide background information
Nice
3/3
Notes for class
Period and commas are always in quotation marks, there is no exception
Grammar is not a set of rules, it is a set of guidelines. Grammar and dictionaries are reflections of how the language is used.
Did the hypothesis fail or did they just not do it right.
We have to listen to the full hour of the stone money to be able to write our paper.
Before there was money we did all our transactions with cows and chips
When he means cows and chips in terms of our essay, he means it’s too abstract and it’s hard to understand what he is saying.
When Brazilians went into the grocery store they scanned the room for the man with the price gun, and when he got to the end of the row he went back because prices were changing so quickly, and inflation was so fast.
You have to provide the right amount of background information so the essay is understood.
Yeah.
3/3
-You are starting your argument on defense instead of starting on offense because you are trying to be persuasive.
-We are compelled to declare causes which impels them.
– The person with the name on it deserves an italic because it’s a name that is very important.
– When you use WordPress for punctuation, it gives you a really big Hassell because it makes you put the punctuation behind the word.
– Forest fires were raging through California, clearly fueled by environmental conditions worsened by the warming global climate.
-Burning a million acres of timberland incredibly quickly.
-There are resources for our Stone Money Task, and we have to reflect on the 1-hour NPR broadcast.
-There are more resources for the Stone Money Assignment were found in the blog at some of the links which is Cow and Chips.
-A definition or Classification essay doesn’t accept the dictionary definition ad sufficient. The best essays NEVER mention or cite the dictionary at all.
-Examine the thinking and the behavior of the people involved in the story. For example, what is their concept of Money?
Your notes get better as the day goes on, but the first three have me confused, Bubba.
1. Chess players playing the black pieces start out on defense and remain so because white always moves first. As essay writers we AVOID playing defense by starting with a strong offense. The worst first move is a question, which puts the reader in charge. We want to stay in charge by making bold clear claims, not asking questions. Questions=black pieces. Bold Claims=white piece.
2. Maybe this is shorthand for all the bold languages the Authors of the Declaration of Independence used. If it is, cool. If it isn’t, I don’t get it.
3. I have no idea what you mean by the very important person with her name on something.
3/3
Regarding the riddle , geese know which bird to follow by following the bird in the front
Essays are my personal opinion , but do not say “ In my opinion”
Making a claim that is intriguing enough is better because you will keep your reader engaged and they will continue reading
In Writing , start by claiming stuff instead of asking questions
Compelled , Required, and Necessary
Keep up with deadlines to reduce having more work to do for the end.
Schedule my professor conference
When writing, always triple check your work before submitting to make sure there are no punctuation and/or grammar errors.
Periods and commas go inside the quotation marks whether it is double or single quotation marks
When you find your topic , scan the opinions
Taking something abstract and making it tangible
URV- unit of real value
Provide the readers with enough background information of the material so they can understand your argument
The essay that is being written is your opinion. Starting within my opinion would lose the audience that you are trying to intrigue. The way that we gain authority is by sticking with a topic and backing our claim with research by others.
Do not start an essay with a question because you may lose the interest of the reader in the first sentence. Do not start on defense instead start on offense. For example, the Declaration of Independence shows authority when it was written and it attracts the reader.
When doing a writing piece and are trying to cite from a publication the name needs to be italicized. The periods and commas are always going to be inside the citation. This rule will NEVER change.
Grammar is not a set of rules it’s based on the language.
Money is worth is viewed differently by the government which is the number but in the market tomatoes in the season could allow you to buy more than in the offseason.
When writing your essay you should provide enough background information so that the reader would be able to get an understanding of your claim.
Notes on grammar –
– Try not to include opinions because nobody cares. Try to stay clear and concise or else the
reader may lose interest. All publications must be capitalized.
– Failure shouldn’t stop you because each failure can help you find a solution. Even Thomas Edison failed 500 times before getting it right.
– I heard a similar story to the cab story professor Hodges talked about. A friend of mine went on a trip down to a Caribbean island a few years ago. On this trip, his family hired a cab driver to take them on a tour and agreed on a price beforehand. The cab driver took them around and even added a spot or two that were noteworthy to see. At the end, his dad paid the cab driver, but the cab driver got upset that the tip wasn’t higher and claimed that those extra stops deserved a higher tip. His dad was going to leave a tip as well, but got upset at the cab driver’s reaction and decided not to give any tip. Professor Hodges mentioned that if he gave $40 to his cab driver, then the cab driver would expect that from future customers, and I feel that the cab driver in my story received “$40” several times in the past.
– At movie theaters and stadiums, the price for candy is extremely expensive being about $6 dollars for each candy but at a deli, candy can be worth just a dollar. This example clearly shows the obscurity of money and how much it can vary.
Notes on grammar –
– Try not to include opinions because nobody cares. Try to stay clear and concise or else the
reader may lose interest. All publications must be capitalized
– Failure shouldn’t stop you because each failure can help you find a solution. Even Thomas Edison failed 500 times before getting it right.
– I heard a similar story to the cab story professor Hodges talked about. A friend of mine went on a trip down to a Caribbean island a few years ago. On this trip, his family hired a cab driver to take them on a tour and agreed on a price beforehand. The cab driver took them around and even added a spot or two that were noteworthy to see. At the end, his dad paid the cab driver, but the cab driver got upset that the tip wasn’t higher and claimed that those extra stops deserved a higher tip. His dad was going to leave a tip as well, but got upset at the cab driver’s reaction and decided not to give any tip. Professor Hodges mentioned that if he gave $40 to his cab driver, then the cab driver would expect that from future customers, and I feel that the cab driver in my story received “$40” several times in the past.
– At movie theaters and stadiums, the price for candy is extremely expensive being about $6 dollars for each candy but at a deli, candy can be worth just a dollar. This example clearly shows the obscurity of money and how much it can vary.
Ignore this I posted it twice by accident.
Notes 2/9/2022
An essay is an expression of our own opinion so do not start with In my opinion but instead make a claim. Act like we have the authority of the questions everyone has. Asking a lot of questions is not the right way since the reader has time to answer the question possibly before you can make a claim.
Do not ask for approval from others but rather a company authority for example in the Declaration of Independence which makes it such a strong description of principles and the laws we should all follow. Required, necessary are good words to use.
Open people’s eyes to problems others never noticed by thinking outside the box.
Grammar and Punctuation problems:
The book titled, Bible, Publication (New York Times) should be italicized
Double quotes always. Periods and commas go inside the quotations
‘ “ create space if you have a single quotation mark
Grammar:
Use whose, not the word that Example, money is just a paper good whose purpose is to.
The dictionary is a reflection of how words are used not supposed to be included in any writing.
Fragments:
Sentence: I eat chicken
Fragment: Because I eat chicken
USAID was trying to make children’s nutritional values increase by giving greens and good food. They came up with the idea that people know what is better food for them they just have to get the money to do so. Hypothesis did not fail because the family could’ve used the money on loans or bills vs food so giving them more money to have access to fresh food might have solved a majority of their problems.
Forest fires were ragging and president Trump said if we clean the forest floor we will eliminate them. An alternative that professor Hodges requested was making one clear path through the first to prevent the fire from spreading to the other side.
Cows and Chips: You had to go somewhere to get potato chips. The man who sold chips wanted a cow in return. It’s the idea of trading.
The American currency was much higher than Egyptian pounds. Money from America was known for being worth more. A single dollar bill is worth the same as a silver dollar bill. No Egyptian would accept the money since it’s not something they recognize.
COMP II Notes – 2.9.22
Riddle: How do geese know which bird to follow?
A: The one in the front
Duhh how did I not think of that 🙂
My original answer was the geese take turns leading.
Refreshers:
Grammer*
Book titles and publications = italicized
Periods and commas = inside quotations
Always use double quotes unless it’s a quote inside quote
Don’t start with “in my opinion”
Essay is already/should be about your opinion and include your own thoughts
Be clear, concise, and persuasive (defend you hypothesis)
You don’t fail
You just get one step closer to succeeding
Reminders:
1000 word essay due Sunday
4-minute NPR podcast from Planet Money “The Island of Stone Money“
One-hour podcast “The Invention of Money“
Read 5-page article & sample essay
Lots to do…better get started soon
Class Notes:
– If a student ever has a zoom meeting with the professor and he isn’t there than the first zoom time of the day should shoot him a text so he can be reminded
– It is better to be registered here at Rowan to vote unless you commute so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of going back home to vote and the deadline to register is Tuesday, October 18
– When writing a persuasive argument don’t use “What if” “It seems to me” “In my opinion” “Don’t you think” and “I believe” unless it is used as a rhetorical technique and you answer that question right away, if not don’t use them just to fill up your writing.
– A persuasive writing in definition is showing your opinion, but you want to make it as if the reader is reading facts with sources that help your writing and back-up your reasoning, but also show and give the readers facts.
– In text citation workshop shows ways of fixing your writing better with punctuation and grammar. It will make the writing flow better, so look at that even if you think you know it all.
Good Notes, Soulpond, also credit for leaving Replies on other pages today.
5/4
When writing your claims, make sure that you are not using talk about language and actually clarify what your claims are and what you are supporting
Rhetorical weapons are great weapons that destroy your claim. Unless you are actually answering the rhetorical question right away, then just don’t use any type of rhetorical questions at all.
As a writer, our only source of actual credibility is our authorial voice. It is the one thing that gives us authority.
Good Note about (Author)ity, fatboy. Also credit for leaving Replies on other posts today.
4/4
A good ransom note makes bold, clear, persuasive claims. The first ransom note didn’t any give clear instructions and also wasn’t very intimidating to be honest. They don’t talk about where the husband is, like do they have him or is he just somewhere unknown? What are the consequences of the wife calling the police? It has no clear premise and shows no logic what so ever. The second one on the other hand tells us the consequences of not following instructions. Also gives us an idea that they have the husband when they sent the ring. They’ll send the ring finger next if they don’t follow instructions which makes the reader more intimidated as a ransom note should. It also explains how much they are asking for so we don’t just give a random amount of money. The reader would be more persuaded in this argument.
How to water down self-evident truths. “Rhetorical questions are like high powered weapons. They kill your argument and should require a permit to show that you know how to use it.” In an essay, the writer should have an expression of their opinion and have the goal to persuade the reader. Explaining it through the sources convincing the readers that they are facts and not just your opinions. Another example of a persuasive argument would be if we should give panhandlers money? When do we give money? Why should we give it to them? These are questions that need to be answered in an argument.
These are both strong observations, taco, that function as purposeful summaries. Nice work.
4/4
9/27 class notes
Ransom notes make a good and thorough argument. Most Ransome notes are detailed, have clear claims, and follow logic. They detail exactly how the transaction should go down and make it clear what should happen if the money is not paid. The first ransom note we saw did not state much about a ransom or the husband. It was unclear what the situation was. When we write we should take these techniques and make our claims clear, detailed, and logical.
The primary role of a legislature is to remain a legislature. The legislature is split into two parties that are divided 50/50. #RowanVotes is a student club on campus that helps students with voting registration and any questions we may have. The voting deadline is Tuesday, November 8th. Make sure to register and send your ballot in!
When writing a persuasive essay it is important to state your own beliefs and prove them but you should leave out claims such as “it seems to me…”, “what if…?”, “In my opinion…”. A persuasive essay is a detailed work that expresses your opinion and finds the facts behind it to prove your claim. Adding these claims waters down the truth and makes your essay boring because it is apparent these are your own beliefs since it is a persuasive essay. I don’t have accreditation so stating these claims as my ideas do not matter to others if I have no prior knowledge and research on the subject.
The basics of a persuasive essay are to define terms and layout conditions in your writing. In order to make your claim accepted and right you need to refute good arguments that suggest differently than what you claim. If you are not able to refute good arguments it is hard to get others to believe your argument is right because they may be persuaded by the other argument. Panhandlers create a causal argument. They make a claim that they need money, you have money, and they will use it for something good that they need.
Publications such as book titles need to be italicized when we are referring to them in our writing. It is important to fix fragments and punctuation errors in my writing. Full sentences instead of fragments make the essay and its points clearer.
I like that you find the relevance to essay writing in every small segment of the Agenda, Shxrkbait. Credit also for the Replies you’ve left on other posts today.
5/4
* Claims should clear and concise. Be specific and give details to make it clear.
* When you’re writing a paper, it doesn’t make sense to say things like “In my opinion..” Or “It seems to me…” especially in a persuasive paper. The paper is already about your beliefs, it’s pointless to use transitions to point that out.
* Your writing should be specific. You don’t have to add the extra things. Keep it simple, as long as you can get to the point of your statement/argument
* Panhandlers make persuasive arguments, so they can get some money. “If you give me money I will use it on “_____.”
I like that observation that panhandlers are making arguments, Mercy. Credit also for Replies you’ve left on other posts today.
4/4
– Make claims clear, full of specific details and bold details. Make sure the purpose of the claim is known.
– It makes no sense to further dilute your own credibility. Stay away from claims such as “It seems to me,” “In my opinion,” or Don’t you think.” Rhetorical questions can kill the augment. Using them as rhetorical techniques would be much better.
– Make use of every word you use. Stay brief, but sound persuasive and credible. Your voice is your authority.
– The efficiency of a panhandler is dependent on their claims; how persuasive they are and how their message resonates with the person reading it.
– Keep trying to succeed no matter how many times you fail.
“Your voice is your authority.” That.
Also credit for your Replies on other posts today, GF.
4/4
9/27 Class Notes
-Request mail-in ballot (from PA)
-Rhetorical questions ruin argument
-Make use of every word you use
-Go over the in-text citation workshop for more examples
-Go over and revise, could be 20% shorter and 30% more clear
-Hypothesis feedback: challenge yourself! Try to think in a way that eliminates the box
-self-directed lecture contains brief exercise to complete
-always fail better, and you will eventually succeed
-enjoyed the interaction exercise about panhandlers.
It’s like a “to-do list” of takeaways.
Credit also for your Replies on other posts today, holly.
4/4
COMP II 9/27/2022
Ransom notes; make our claims resemble the second ransom note. Make specific claims, don’t talk about them, and be bold and specific.
Writing Advice
Rhetorical questions can be used as long as we answer the question right away. If not they will kill our argument.
Be bold, who’s going to shoot you down, no one.
The first 1000 words are basically defining what our essay is about.
I found the argument workshop valuable. It can help us tease out counter-arguments that may be provided during our own argument and provide a sufficient enough rebuttal.
Self Directed Lecture
The Give Directly Hypothesis: If you fail once, fail better the next, the more often you fail better eventually you will succeed.
Great Note about teasing out counterarguments, gymrat.
Also credit for Replies you left on other posts today.
4/4
Bad ransom note has a bunch of talk about language.
Communicating your argument and the specific details of said argument will ensure that your essays (or ransom notes) will be of highest quality.
It is important to vote because non-voters have the ability to sway any of the elections.
Voting will break the 50/50 lock we have in our political climate
Readers already know that your persuasive essay will be centered on your opinion. If you talk about how your views are self-evident, it waters down your argument and wastes time and words
Rhetorical questions are dangerous and can kill your essay
Because you hold no real status, you gain credibility through how you write your paper
Write as if your opinions are truths, and speak in that way, instead of beating around the truth of saying that YOU believe it
There are obvious hypothesis to use in your arguments, but they may not be as thought provoking. Step outside of your comfort zone and chase after a counterintuitive hypothesis
I almost completely agree, Anon, except for this Note:
Saying your claims are self-evident is the opposite of watering down your argument. Saying “it seems reasonable” to you weakens it.
Credit also for Replies you left on other posts today.
4/4
– Avoid talk about language and give specific details. In the ransom notes, the first one has no details about what the captors are planning to do with the husband or how they plan to do it. In the second note, they give exact details as to what they plan on doing with the husband.
– The political affiliation in America is split almost 50/50. Non-voters could swing any election hard left or hard right.
– While a persuasive argument does include your opinion, you don’t need to say things like ‘it seems to me’ or ‘in my opinion’. This further dilutes your argument.
– Rhetorical questions aren’t the best to be used, unless you answer them right away.
– Your authorial voice is you authority.
– You have to proclaim your ideas and not make suggestions about your claims. Who is going to stop you from making such big claims?
– Many of the people who panhandle plagiarize each other.
– You have to look at both sides of your argument and consider what you might not have thought before.
– Revising and looking over punctuation and trying to make the most out of the words you are given is very important.
– If you find a topic that seems a little insane, look into it as it may not be so crazy of an idea.
– You just have to keep failing better. If you fail once, it doesn’t mean its over, it just means that you have to try again and fail better.
Very nice, cinderella. I like that you found an essay-related takeaway in every segment of the Agenda. I particularly like the idea of issuing proclamations instead of making arguments.
Credit also for the Replies you left on other posts today.
5/4
A bad ransom note would be unclear, illogical, and short on details. We have to make sure our essays have a clear argument and are not too vague for readers to realize what we are trying to say. They should not leave the reader feeling confused. On the other hand, a good ransom note would be clear and state exactly what it is they want in return for the person they are holding hostage. We should apply this to our essays. By the end of the piece, our reader should have an exact understanding of our thought process.
Election day is November 19th and mail in ballots have to be sent in by November 8th. We should register to vote as soon as possible if we want our voices to be heard. It is important we do this because the parties are currently separated into 50/50 and there are small groups within the bigger groups. Politicians will do anything to be reelected and try to sway your votes as much as they can. Nonvoters are the reason we’re 50/50, and they have the power to break the tie between the two parties.
Our essays are expressions of our opinions. The readers are aware of this, so we shouldn’t hold back from fully defending how we feel. We should not use phrases like “It seems to me…” and “In my opinion,” because not only does this make us seem unsure but it also dilutes our credibility. Our sources add to our credibility on speaking on our topic, but we have to make sure to support our own credibility as well. We have to have control over our tone and organization, and maintain our authoritative voice. We should not undercut our bold claims. We are committing in writing to a couple of claims for ourselves to stand by so we can clearly state our viewpoints and not question ourselves.
We have to be careful of our grammar in our essays. Being punctual and grammatically correct will also add to our credibility, and if these are too poor, our essays may be impossible to read.
If we are able to find opinions that do not have much merit, shave them down, then prove them, our point will be strengthened. For example, if we think sweeping the forest will solve the issue of forest fires, we should research it and shape it into a point that makes more sense and can be supported with evidence. Outlandish views can be turned into good points.
If we do not see results the first time you conduct an experiment, it is not a failure. It is a sign to change something and try again. This applies to our hypotheses and we should alter our points until they really make sense and represent our views.
I don’t agree with all your Notes, AT, but I appreciate their thoroughness. You’re writing little Purposeful Summaries of the Agenda units. Can’t argue with that. Credit also for the Replies you left on other posts today.
5/4
-Claims should be stern, don’t leave room for questions. Don’t respond to the temperature, be the thermostat.
-50/50 split between the two political parties could be swayed to one side by non-voters. Thats why non-voters should vote, otherwise they are part of the problem.
-Do not use rhetorical questions, what ifs, it seems to me, and i believe. They are redundant, they just say that it is your opinion. Well of course it would be, you are writing it.
-If you use a rhetorical question and answer it, then it might be okay. Got to use it as a rhetorical technique.
-Keep your authority as a writer otherwise you are just another knucklehead.
-Panhandlers signs can open the door for arguments.
-Professor has no respect for soccer flops.
-Taking a view from both sides, understanding the results helps form an argument.
-Make the semester worthwhile, and try to think as much outside of the box as possible.
-Always fail better. You fail once, but fail again and again. It’s good to fail.
I like that you recognize a panhandler’s sign (like any written document) as an argument, Mocha. Credit also for the Replies you left on other posts today.
4/4
– In an introduction, be clear and specific. Vague information provides nothing and wastes words.
– Rhetorical questions weaken an argument unless answered immediately.
– Make statements clear and don’t use phrases such as “I think” to weaken your authority
– Declarations should not contain words such as “I believe,” statements should be strong and sound like real evidence
– Some claims may seem bizarre but could be proven valuable with a good argument and evidence
Good Notes, Verge. Credit also for the thoughtful Reply you left at the “Give Directly” post today.
4/4
9/27/22
Ransom note riddle
Rowan Votes
Writing Advice
Panhandlers Argument
Harm reduction
If you give panhandlers what they want even if its drugs they’re less likely to take it by force from someone else
A persuasive writing in definition is showing your opinion
Make it as if the reader is reading facts with sources that help your writing and back-up your reasoning
Show and give the readers facts
In Text Citation Workshops
This is mostly an outline, not Notes, Crib, but I do give you credit for the Replies you left on other posts today, including at the “Give Directly” page.
4/4
Class Notes-
Riddle
Our claims need to be in a clear concise argument. The first letter lacks specific language and does not properly convey the threat. Language like “about his safety” is not as clear as stating he is unsafe. The idea is to write clear like the second ransom note where the subject, argument, and repercussions are clearly stated.
Rowan Votes-
Linked resources with all the key information for voting and registering. Rowan recommends registering where you will be on election day Nov 8th. Request mail in bailout asap.
Primary job of a legislator is to get reelected.
Lecture-
We need to avoid rhetorical questions in our essays. Rarely will we be allowed to use them. The proper use would be to ask the question and immediately answer it but we will need to approve this with the professor.
The weak suggestion of independence-
The language we use can muddy the waters of our writing. It is shown with the edited claims like “It seems to us that these truths are indicated by a preponderance of the evidence” where we could say these claims are “self evident”
Panhandlers-
Creating a clear argument such as “I never give to panhandlers” is more concise and gives us a full understanding of a situation in minimal words. We can also develop a clear cause and effect scenario by saying “I only give to panhandlers when they have a pet”
My hypothesis-
We need to find a topic that is actually counter intuitive. It has to at first seem like it has no merit but we will create an argument that backs up our absurd claim. We need to challenge ourselves and not use a fall back safe option.
Very thoughtful and cogent Notes, gobirds. I particularly like: Language like “about his safety” is not as clear as stating he is unsafe.
Credit also for a Reply you left on another post today.
4/4
Class Notes –
Through a very disturbing comparison of two ransom notes, we were able to see that an effective claim, is unhesitant in the matter, it is clear, bold, and certainly can’t be mistaken as anything other than what you are saying, the contents of the appropriate ransom note certainly proved. Could not be clearer.
– it is obsolete to state in an essay you are sharing your opinion such as by saying “ it seems to me” and “in my opinion” since that is the already intended purpose of an essay to share your opinion. This same idea can be applied to summaries because oftentimes we try to say less with more when in fact we should be saying more with less, a nice balance so as to not waste words, such as I just mentioned by claiming that an opinion is your own in an essay.
– be weary of theoretical questions, make sure you are answering them and they serve a persuasive purpose.
– Through indulging in a typed argument in class I was able to see that giving a reader a context either in definitions or in the relaying of “norms” of the situation can be helpful. I also could see that specifics are useful because it can change the whole context of the argument. Lastly I saw in the example argument that being open is easier than directly opposing automatically because it is mind enlightening and can help you define more specifics, context, or norms that need to be added to your argument.
Finding your topic and scanning your prevailing opinions and rejecting them are important but more importantly make sure that you create a new argument to go against these opinions but also aligns with your opinions.
Alittle life lesson as well is to fail better. Resonated with me because I am my own harshest critic.
Very fine Notes, Princess. Especially appreciated your observations about note-taking, argument, and summary.
5/4
Class Notes (09/27/22 9:30 am COMP II)
-make the most of every word that you use, or you will be wasting your precious time
-use very specific words that directly portray what you are truly trying to say
-you want to be the “thermostat” that sets the “temperature” of your writing
-just like a ransom note, get straight to the point in your writing
-write your introduction LAST
-you don’t know what your paper is going to be about until the end
-even though your essay is supposed to be persuasive, you want your readers to believe they’re reading facts, not opinions
-we have the authority of our voice
-really vivid anecdotes could really pull together your writing
-utilize the “feedback please” category
-maybe we need a new hypothesis or a new topic in general
–
So many good takeaway observations here, Taco.
4/4
9/27
Ransom note
– Say it when you can, if there’s a fire in the corner of the room, don’t say “the fire will change the temperature of the room” instead say “the fire will raise the temperature of the room” rather than having to waste another sentence saying it’s going to raise the temperature.
– Explain yourself in your introduction, don’t just say your points, elaborate on them.
– Write your introduction last, because you don’t know what your essay is going to say when you first start writing it. Your hypothesis will change as you go through the process of researching and writing.
Writing advice
– Essays are, by definition, an expression of your own opinion. We are telling the readers what we believe and using evidence to support our claim and to be able to persuade people.
– Don’t say “in my opinion” type phrases, all that does is dilute the credibility of the paper.
Panhandler argument
– There are certain nuances to terms like “always” and “never”, they are almost never (ironic) 100% concrete phrases. For example, “I always give to panhandlers” is, most of the time, not true. It’ll be more like a “I always give to veteran or injured panhandlers”
– There are an infinite amount of phrases in between the definitions of words like “always” and “never” which must be recognized when saying “always” or “never”
Thanks for noting the “fire in the corner” example, duck. Also appreciate the observation that there are countless nuances between “always” and “never.”
5/4
Ransom Note: if you don’t get to the point immediately, it’s a waste of time.
A bad ransom note is wordy and vague. A good ransom note tells you exactly what the situation is, and what they will do if you don’t comply.
Introductions need to be clear and specific. Write it last! If you can’t think of a good way to start, don’t bother.
Rowan Votes: Register to vote soon! Request mail in ballot. None voters could make a big difference.
Essay: Essays are an expression of our opinion. We want to be as persuasive as possible, and convince the readers that we are right. If we cast doubt on ourselves, we lose the argument. Its “Declaration” of independence, not “Weak suggestion” of independence.
Panhandler argument: You can make a point in a million different ways. Always find the strongest argument and refute it.
Hypothesis Feedback: Challenge yourself academically. Don’t go with the obvious answer. Arguments can be almost insane, but not quite. Reject the prevailing opinions, and invent new ones that don’t seem to have a whole lot of merit. When you say it, it sounds insane.
– Former US President suggesting we “sweep the forest floor”
– You can spin it in a way to make it make sense
USAID: Theres a difference between direct aid, and just educating. No one needs the education if they don’t have the money to use their brain. Things need to be tested before they are put into action.
“Fail better the next time”
Very fine Notes, oni. They respond to every unit, and they always sound like good advice.
5/4
-Write your introduction last, you don’t know what your essay is going to say before the introduction
-What is the primary job of a legislator? To keep their job
-If we start casting doubt on our authority we lose the argument
-The panhandlers use argumentative tactics to get a point across that they look in need of money, food, clothes, etc.
-They tend to lie or cover up the amount of money they actually have or spend on themselves, can trick others sometimes successfully
-If you are giving to a panhandler, it may not matter to you what they spend it on as long as it’s helping them out
-Feedback please is a category u can publish your work in to make sure Professor Hodges gives feedback on your work
-Find your topic, scan the prevailing options (good place to start)
-After hearing the information about parenting, the info taken in may not be practical depending on the parents’ situation
Very thoughtful and well-expressed, glacier.
4/4
state the facts right away and not make another sentence when you can say it all right there.
write your introduction last because your point of view may change
you dont need to have a introduction
the reason to vote is so everybody can keep there job
our essay is to write a persuasive authority to give our voice and soundness a reasoning
bold words are just a filler
there are many ways to tell your point
In the Declaration of Independence illustration, redbird, the bold words are the entire thesis. It’s all the other words that are just “filler.”
2/4
If you are writing something like a ransom note, you should keep it clear and concise.
Using as clear words in as short a way as possible is best.
Write your introduction last, because you do not know what your essay is going to say
You want people to believe in you more, not less
Anytime you are not making a bold, clear claim, you are losing credibility
If the Declaration of independence wasn’t as bold and to the point, the british wouldn’t have cared
Under what conditions should you give a homeless person money?
Having bold claims are better than vague statements
You find your hypothesis and look through different opinions
The experiment might fail, but through that failure it could also partially succeed
Good advice here, rubes.
4/4
Write your introduction last; you aren’t sure what your essay will say until you have almost finished. You’ve probably changed ideas by the time you have completed your essay.
It’s okay not to have an introduction. Introductions tend to be wordy and nonsense.
You’re weakening your credibility whenever you say something like “In my opinion” and “Don’t you think.”
You should be convincing your readers that they are reading facts and not your opinion about the topic.
I will always give panhandlers change or small bills if I know I have something in my pocket. Everyone deserves a second chance, even if they put themselves in their current condition.
California should spend more time sweeping the forest floor-would help stop the spread of forest fires
Like isolating the forest fire in a spot, you should have a general idea of your hypothesis but should be willing to work on other hypothesis if your research proves it better
USAID should have tested theories like giving aid or education instead. Even if you educate them, it doesn’t matter if they dont have money to buy the propeer food
They are not going to hit pay dirt every time, you have to make small contributions overtime
Eliminate one possibility that may not work is a great contribution towards your essay/ hypothesis
Find radical theories that take time to prove
Glad you remembered to write the Introduction last, that hypotheses don’t always hit pay dirt, and that failing better is a good way to succeed.
4’/4
9/27
Ransome Note Riddle- Clamies must be made clear and specific. Don’t use unnecessary and wasteful language.
Legislators’ job is to stay in office.
Write Introduction to the essay last.
How to water down self-evident truths- You want people to agree with you even if you are not a credible source as a writer alone, are only authority is our voice as authors. Don’t use “I think, in my opinion, I believe”
Panhandler Argument- there are many ways to make similar arguments or to a similar goal. A panhandler is less likely to get money when they use a common story. Specific reasoning in claims like specific stories can make an argument stronger.
A good hypothesis can come from an argument that most would think is unthinkable and goes against the majority of evidence.
Radical theories and ideas are worth testing.
I like that you have advice to offer panhandlers about their arguments, manipulator.
4/4
COMP 2 Class 07 Notes-
Be direct with your claims; Don’t use unnecessary words.
Society needs more voters, to bring about a better political consensus
Stating that what you’re about to say is an “opinion” lowers your credibility.
Making a good persuasive argument involves nuance.
Hypothesis are theories worth investigating
Good enough, green.
3/4
9/27
Make it easy and shorter to clarify/prove you point.
Write you introduction last
Water down words such as “what if”, “don’t you think”, “In my opinion”
Panhandler argument: At times I don’t give panhandlers attention or make eye contact, I sometimes give panhandlers change that I have left over, I give to panhandlers who look as if they will use the money for good
Find your topic, look for options related and start eliminating/making decisions and on which topic for the hypothesis
Schedule conference if needed not assignment mandatory.
Good enough, Person.
3/4
-A bad ransom note would be unclear and short on details. We need to clearly communicate our arguments and the specific details of said argument to make sure the message is clear and understood.
-non-voters have the ability to sway election results so it’s important to break the 50/50 lock we have in our political climate and vote at rowan
-It’s known that your persuasive essay will be centered on an opinion so make that opinion clear. If you focus on other aspects, it is a waste of words and time.
-Rhetorical questions will kill your essay
-credibility is gained by the quality your paper
-hypotheses need to be used in arguments. Get out of your comfort zone when doing this to create an interesting discussion.
Actually, it’s by constantly reminding readers that you’re “only sharing my opinion” that you dilute your own credibility, BBB.
3/4
Notes:
– A good argument: Bold and clear premise, step by step logical proof, specific details to emphasize and illustrate reasoning.
– A bad argument: making bad arguments by having no clear premise, following no logics, short on details.
– Writing advice: convince readers that they are reading facts, not opinions.
– Grammar and punctuation:
publications like titles and books need to be italicized.
periods and commas inside quotation marks at all times.
All good Notes but a little shy today, pink.
3/4
9/27
Class Notes
The job of a legislature to get reelected
How to write down self-evident truths
-this is a reminder that your essay is an expression of your opinion
– the goal as a persuasive writer should be, through your voice and the soundness of your reasoning, to convince your readers that they are reading facts, not opinions
– Panhandler argument
Topic to discuss whether not to give money to panhandlers
Experience the need to define terms and lay out some casual conditions
Lots of my peers agreed that they do give panhandlers most of the time
Panhandlers tend to use “bait” such as kids or dogs
– Richard Davies claims money is just a paper good that’s purpose is to be used to trade goods and services for
– Money is unalterably social
– A small rectangular piece of paper has so much value
-Punctuations very important, especially in citations
– Give Direct hypothesis
There’s plenty of language here that indicates what was talked about, but no specific observations, peanut. It’s a bit like the first ransom note.
3/4
Ransom notes makes detailed, bold, logical claims. The first ransom note didn’t give clear instructions and we saw it did not state much about a ransom or the husband. The second one was more precise and also gives us an idea that they have the husband when they sent the ring.It also explains how much they are asking for so we don’t just give a random amount of money.
The primary role of legislature is to remain a legislature. #Rowan votes is a student club on campus that helps students with voting registration and the voting deadline is Tuesday, November 8th.
A persuasive essay is a detailed work that expresses your opinion. If we talk about how our views are self-evident, it waters down the argument and wastes the time and words.Panhandlers create a casual argument and makes a claim that they need money, you should have money and they will use for something good that they need.
There are hypothesis to use in our arguments and step outside of comfort zone and chase after counterintuitive argument.
Be careful to not be influenced by the Notes of your classmates, spatel. Many phrases in your Notes are clear echoes of earlier notes.
3/4
Sept 27,2022
Class Notes
– The main purpose of a legislator is to maintain the position of a legislature than writing and passing laws.
– Discussed about the rowan votes. Students can visit the link mentioned above to register for vote and various ways to vote for elections. Elections are held on Nov 8.2022.
– Panhandler argument – I won’t give the money to the one who is young and would be able to work. I only give to panhandlers who are old , unhealthy and couldn’t work.
– Schedule conference if you haven’t signed up for it yet.
Nothing here is a takeaway lesson from the class that would improve your writing or your arguments, PowerRanger.
2/4
Riddle
The first ransom note would not make a good argument because it doesn’t clearly communicate any repercussions
The second ransom communicates more because it details specifics making it a better argument
Make sure to resemble your claims after the second ransom
Rowan Votes
You need to register to vote in order to vote for the primaries.
Request mail in ballot on November 1
Mail in ballots will be sent out on September 24
Election day is November 8
The primary job of a legislator is to stay a legislator
Non-voters can swing the election either far right or far left
Writing Advice
No rhetorical questions in your papers
Don’t use rhetorical questions unless you know exactly how to use them in order to start your claim
Your only authority is your voice
You borrow credibility from your sources
Let’s Argue
Panhandlers plagiarize each other
They each use “anything helps” language
In-Text Citation Workshop
Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks
Solve wordiness problems by making full sentences out of the sentence fragments
I appreciate that you noted the “You borrow credibility from your sources” comment, xephos.
4/4
College Composition 2
09/27/22
I showed up late to class but we were talking about the election.
The blue side has Democratic Socialist, Green, and communist.
The red side has Libs, TP, and Q
Non-voters really sway the vote come election time and more often than not if the president wins over non-voters to vote then that president will win.
How to water down self-evident truths? What if…? It seems to me….? Don’t you think…? I believe…? These statements are no bueno for essays.
The (Robust Version) Declaration of Independence
The Panhandler Argument, I give to panhandlers…
I give to panhandlers who ask politely, for if the roles were reversed I would hope someone would help me. I never give to panhandlers who walk up to me and ask because they make me feel like I am trapped or threatened.
In-Text Citation workshop it’s a good idea to look at this.
We went over grammar punctuation (In-Text Citation Workshop).
Hypothesis feedback, The 15,000 acres of forest fire in California what you think we can do to help?
I would say along any forests we build a lake or moat at the edges of the forest.
These Notes might help you remember the topics for the class, Juice, but they don’t include the takeaways that will help you write better sentences, arguments, essays.
3/4
You send us money, you’re gonna be safe.
Then we talk about Rowan Votes, almost all students in class eligible to vote on election day. This is really important for US citizens because they gotta vote for the new president who will lead our country.
They are separated into 2 different groups, and each of them have certain supporters, 50-50 percent to win the election, and there is 1 more group is Non-voter.
Never use “Don’t you think..?” In a conversation or in a debate, because this is a strong signal and it is not really good at a conversation, this can kill others’ opinions.
If we use it in rhetorical technique, it’s gonna be really good, but if it is not, it will be so bad.
Then we talk about panhandler, every single person have their own opinions about do they want to help them or not, some of them will not, some of us will and the common things we have is thinking about do they really need our help, and most of us have the same common thing to help them is if they have a dog or kid.
A good hypothesis came from unthinkable things and against almost all the things try to prove positive evidence.