Monday, August 19, 2019

Post #2

Write a 10-row reflection on what you learned today (QUEST, arguments, Toulmin analysis, thesis statement)

15 comments:

  1. From all the readings, I learned that the argument is the central base for a writing, that without the grounds, the claim will not be accepted by the audience. From the QUEST, I learned how a writing starts to develop with the perspective of the author, by questioning themselves and the possible perspectives of the audience. I also learned that if the arguments are well planted, with the necessary facts, evidence and warrants then there is a bigger chance for you to convince the readers that your point of view is the one they should be with and not the opposing one. From the Toulmin analysis, I learned that there are two types of arguments, the classical ones and the toulmin arguments which are more extended since it is known that the audience won't be easily convinced. In my opinion, I think that the Toulmin analysis goes much deeper into context since it covers more aspects of the writing, making a more credible essay with well developed evidences and personal points of view of the author or by biases.

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  3. In class, we read the QUEST framework, which was very important for us to understand the importance of developing new perspectives and skills throughout the course. Q- question and explore, basically means to start exploring a complex topic and start asking questions about it, to help you investigate and learn more about it. U- understand and analyze arguments, is essential because, during this part, we have to learn how to develop critical thinking skills in order to analyze the author’s claim. E- evaluate multiple perspectives, helps us compare and contrast the different point of views, in order to get a better understanding of the topic. S- synthesize ideas, is fundamental for a “well-reasoned argument” in which we will connect, analyze, and use our skills to understand and gather information, while we develop an argument. T- team, transform, and transmit, is very important, especially because teams concede more ideas, perspectives, and thoughts. Transformation helps the ideas expand and it helps the writers reflect. Finally, transmitting is important to give a message based on the audience and the complexity of the context.
    From the argument of “Every Little Girl Wants to Be a Princess, Right?”, I learned the importance of providing evidence on the article to support each claim. Moreover, a thesis statement has to be supported by at least 3 claims, giving enough evidence throughout the article that will support each claim. Additionally, it’s important to add a rebuttal, to provide with ethos/credibility to the reader. In my opinion, the article was very convincing, and the strong conclusion the author provided about the risks of pageants and how harmful it can be to children was essential because it re-established the main argument with details as well.
    From Charlie's Sheen’s video (Toulmin model), I was able to comprehend better how the Toulmin analysis works. It is of great importance to mention, that the Toulmin analysis is not just based upon reasons, data, and evidence that support the claims, but also warrants, backing, counter-arguments, and rebuttal. Furthermore, I was able to differentiate Classical vs, Toulmin while reading the article. Basically, classical arguments are made up of claim statements, reasons, support, objections, and rebuttal. On the other hand, Toulmin arguments already assume that the audience won’t be convinced as easily, so they include more reasons, background information, values, connections within the reasons established, among others.

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  4. During class today, we worked collaboratively on analyzing one of the key elements of the course that will function as a guide to develop, structure, and evaluate arguments: the QUEST framework. It consists in five aspects or phases followed (not necessarily in the same order) to ultimately reflect on or communicate an argument. The process begins by having an idea or subject that can be developed, which has to be explored and read about. This leads to the putting together of information and ideas to figure out what the author is trying to say, involving analysis. Next, comparing, contrasting, and critical thinking is done while identifying multiple points of view or patterns. Afterwards, the ideas and reasoning supported with evidence will be summarized and merged, showing if the material is understood or new interpretations are originated, one of the goals being to persuade. Finally, the message/thesis is presented and transferred to an audience (striving to engage/convince it), this being able to be done through teamwork.
    Learning what I just described, made me realize the importance of not discarding perspectives and opinions of others, as they can help, when combined, to reach a common ground, as well as the synthesizing and connecting of these ideas based on the context or audience we are presented to, and questioning being essential. Judging which information is significant and reliable also takes a place here. Each of the components being broken apart by initials helped me grasp their descriptions better.
    Through reading an article, I got to know about the Toulmin analysis, which is a different way or type of analyzing. Many consider it as a better or more effective method and in contrast to the classical, the Toulmin argument involves the emphasizing of claims, the addressing of opposing views, evidence to support the argument, and showing how information is logically connected, all this to have an agreement with the audience and convince it. I think it is a way to make the statements sound more credible. Reading the annotations and the example were a great support for me to comprehend and identify the parts of this type of analysis.

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  5. After reflecting on what I learned today, I've come to a conclusion. Arguments are used as a way of sharing a point of view on a specific topic and persuade others to take that point of view in a civilized, intelligent way. Arguments are very powerful, and not without cause, for they consist of claims and counter claims supported by both evidence and analysis that are key on persuasion. This may sound very complex, but it actually can be partly summarized in one statement: the thesis statement.
    Moreover, there is a persuasive technique that improves arguments significantly, which is called the Toulmin Analysis. This technique is so effective because it takes into consideration counter claims in order to counter them and the audience's warrant in order to establish a common ground, thus increasing persuasion.

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  6. The resources provided for this assignment allowed me to learn a lot on how to write an argumentative essay. The QUEST taught me how to use this tool and steps to write an argument and an essay. I also learned that arguments should be supported by claims, evidence, and a rebuttal in order to convince your audience. Your essay should also be well-organized in order to present all of your ideas and facts appropriately. Additionally, as I read about the Toulmin analysis I was able to connect certain things back to Mariah Jackson’s essay. For example, when the article talked about how to use the Toulmin analysis when reading, it mentioned to find what the author wants me to believe and if there are any other positions shown. Mariah wanted me to believe that child beauty pageants should be banned or changed from what they are today. She also presented the benefits that beauty pageants brought to kids as her rebuttal, but then argued the risks outweighed the benefits.

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  7. This comment was made by: Juan Manuel

    Today in class we learned about the QUEST framework. The Q stands for “Question and Explore” and how the title explains, it is the beginning of the complex issue that wants to be known. The U is about understanding the arguments and analyzing them. The E is about evaluating the issue and understanding how an evaluation requires multiple perspectives. The S stands for synthesizing the ideas of others with your own to reach new understandings. The T stands for teaming and it allows a combination of personal strengths between peers to reach a common goal. After reading “Every Little Girl Wants to be a Princess, Right?” I learned that there is no need to have a required amount of three reasons for the thesis as the school has always taught us. One main claim, as long as there is evidence for the arguments, can make a good essay. After reading the “Toulmin Analysis” I learned that the writer must always think of the audience in order to argue more effectively. More than anything, the Toulmin arguments is about making the audience believe rather than present the claim and evidence. The Charlie Sheen video is an example of the Toulmin Argument used by a doctor speaking about the issue with Charlie Sheen’s drug use. Uses medical evidence and even adds a different perspective showing the idea that maybe he isn’t even on drugs.

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  8. During class, we learned and discussed the QUEST framework, which is a way to write and analyze a text or essay from multiple perspectives and properly reflect others’ arguments. Its five letters each mean different things to properly analyze and write an argument. The “Q” refers to begin doing questions about the topic and its impact and research about it. It can also be used to look into different perspectives. The “U” refers to evaluate the author’s claims and understanding the main idea. The “E” refers to analyze and compare multiple perspectives. The “S” refers to synthesize ideas, which relates to the connection and analyzation of the evidence with the main idea. Lastly, the “S” refers to team up and evaluate with people who have common goals.
    As I read “Every Little Girl Wants to Be a Princess, Right?”, I learned that making an argument and providing claims needs not a huge amount of evidence to prove it; however, if the evidence is not included, this claims can only be considered as assumptions without proof, leading the reader to not understand or be convinced by the main idea.
    From the “Toulmin Analysis”, I learned that the author needs to think about the multiple perspectives that can be presented in the writing and the audience to provide a strong and effective argument. It emphasizes the argument’s claims, provides evidence to support them, looks for a way to be connected with the audience by looking at different perspectives, and logically connects it. Besides focusing on the claim and evidence, it mainly focuses on the audience, trying to find a “common ground” in order to convince them more easily.

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  10. In class, we learned about the QUEST framework. The QUEST framework gives us guidance on evaluating and working with different points of view to accomplish the goals of the class. The framework tells us to question and explore issues, understand various points of view, evaluate and synthesis ideas and transmitting the arguments gathered. Arguments are points of view supported by evidence. Arguments follow a clear line of reasoning. The article gives us a perfect example of arguments and Toulmin Analysis. She gives the claim in the article with supporting evidence while considering the counter claims and bias the information might have. She talks about how beauty pageants for children should not be happening because of how sexualized they have become and the effect it has on the children. The Toulmin Analysis helps us produce conclusions and synthesis information in a better way without bias and considering different points of view.

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  11. The QUEST framework taught me that analyzing an article involves several steps that initially you might do it in a certain order, but then revisit each step in an order depending what you need to do. First, your question becomes your main focus of comprehending the author; then , you need to understand what the author was trying to communicate; evaluate the perspectives of both sides of the argument; synthesize your own ideas with that of a another person to grow; finally, collaborate with others, reflect thoughtfully, and transmit your conclusions. Each one of these descriptions account for one letter for the QUEST framework. As mentioned before, you will most likely revisit steps to improve your initial performance in each area. For "Every Little Girl Wants to be a Princess, Right?”, I learned that a thesis may be powerful, but it always needs a good introduction to hook the reader and introduce the issue with context. You need to support this thesis with 3 arguments that make sense and contain both factual and logical (critical thinking evidence). Using an emotional appeal also helps your thesis impact the reader more. The counterargument takes into consideration the opposite point of view, and the author debunks the possible benefits of the opposition. The conclusion uses mostly an emotional appeal with a solution with a sort of ultimatum. The Toulmin Model utilizes a structure that bases more on the values of the author and setting a common ground with the audience. The main objective is to evaluate who is your audience, what are their needs or position, how can you make them relate to your position. In the Charlie Sheen video, we can see Dr. Drew use the Toulmin Argument to convince the audience that Charlie Sheen's problem is real. He has a thesis, reasons, factual evidence,a warrant, and even takes into consideration another point of view (that Charlie Sheen is just on drugs, and he is just like any case).

    Gustavo CoutiƱo

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  12. Today I learned about QUEST framework. It is a great way for to improve my critical thinking skills and learn an approach to understanding an issue and working my way towards a conclusion. Because the 5 steps in the QUEST framework don't follow a particular order, I can use it to gain unprecedented versatility when it comes to structuring my arguments, claims, and essays in general. I've also learned that a proper argument mustbe backed up with sufficient evidence to support the claims. It must also be structured in a way where ideas can flow well and carry a point across. This is perfectly demonstrated in Mariah Jackson's essay about child beauty pageants. A claim very well-developed reasons and evidence can really make an impact on the audience. The other example shows Dr. Drew using the Toulmin model for an argument to speak about the issue regarding Charlie Sheen's manic antics.

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  13. The QUEST framework can be clearly reflected on the Mariah Jackson paper. In the margins there are a lot of annotations that stand out specific steps from the framework. I learned that an argument can´t be stated with just your belief, you need to back it up with proven evidence. They all connect, so you need to go through your paper to make sure you followed all the steps. I learned that everything is based and comes back to your thesis statement.
    As mentioned before, the "Every Little Girl Wants to be a Princess, Right?" follows most of the steps. During the essay, the author revisited and restated the thesis several times, reminding us of her purpose. The author used various point of view, facts, assumptions, and her personal opinion towards the topic. Her mentions of programs, a moms opinion etc... make the essay reliable.
    The Toulmin Model focuses more on others, than on the writer. For example, in the Charlie Sheen´s video, the Dr is trying to convince others that the problem is real, but still having an open mind about what exactly it is. I learn that is better to focus in one group of people than trying to satisfy everyone. The audience needs to understand your position for then to be able to agree. While still giving evidence, the author needs to add their emotional connection to the topic to be able and reach out more to the reader. It is important to use this model to be more convincing.

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  14. I can conclude from the learning of the class on Monday, that arguments are a way of expression that are viable in order to discuss and learn from other persons. Arguments are so powerful, that with the correct statement, evidence and presentation, it can convince someone to take a certain position. A thesis statement is something that is usually used in an argument since it establishes 3 claims, and they are supported with evidence throughout the entire essay. I learned from the Quest the steps to start a writing and how can the audience be captivated.
    There is a technique named the Toulmin Analysis, which consists on taking into consideration the opposing side's argument, which gives you the opportunity to prove the points of your argument against others. The Toulmin Analysis, also consist on explaining the background information, explain the common ground, connect the reasons that you believe in with the common ground, state and answer objections, and finally show how you are willing to qualify your argument. The main point basically of the Toulmin Analysis is focusing on the audience, it is important that the audience is focused, in order to be able to convince your public in an easier way.

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  15. This comment was made by Fernando.

    Today in AP Seminar we took a slightly more in-depth look at the QUEST Framework that has been previously mentioned briefly: Question and Explore; Understand and Analyze; Evaluate Multiple Perspectives; Synthesize Ideas; and Team, Transform and Transmit are the five steps that constitute the acronym. The point of this framework is helping us as students develop, practice, and improve our critical and creative thinking skills as we slowly form different connections between the topics we discuss, the context behind them, and how they can relate to our own lives and personal experiences. This framework is flexible and recursive, which means one can go back and forth between the different steps of the process to create a better understanding of the materials and topics.
    Consequently, the QUEST Framework can be used to better construct and expand upon my arguments, which reflect my views, personal opinions, conclusions, and knowledge on the topic at hand. By being able to find and support my argument with evidence that backs it up and thus form a thesis that grants my argument power through my different claims that support it.
    One example of a well-supported argument that follows those characteristics (plus more) in an essay is that of Mariah Jackson's "Every Little Girl Wants to Be a Princess, Right?" What was very particular of Jackson's essay, however, was that she used the Toulman Analysis to construct it and establish her argument with even more concreteness. This Toulmin Analysis forms entire essays in a different way since they first explain the background values that make the author have a certain belief, explain the common ground between the audience and you, establish the importance of that common ground, and answer objections. Another example of this is seen in the Charlie Sheen video where a psychologist explains why the actor's then-recent meltdowns were to be taken seriously by following through the method previously stated. Overall, this model is very convincing to use.

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