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Friday, September 26, 2008
Response to Rich Bowers Rhetoric Post
I like what Rich did as he was explaining the Rhetoric. He gave examples of political ads in his blog, and the ways politicians are using rhetoric to convey their message. Even though a lot of us don't think about this, but their messages get through some people right or wrong. One could actually say that they are doing a great job of using the Rhetoric, especially when they even don't have any facts to support their ideas.
Chapter 6 and 7 Readings
Chapter 6
Is talking about doing a reader centered research in order to write information that is useful and persuasive to our readers. Reader centered research is very different from the research that we do in school. When writing for school we try to learn and understand something we didn't know before, and we don't have to worry if our reader is going to understand it. What matters is that we learn something form the experience itself and we can use it in our future.
On the other hand when we write for work we do it for practical purposes. At work we write for others, we are sharing our knowledge with our coworkers and addressing the issue that are important now. The information we include in our writing has to be valuable and relevant to them. We need to avoid any information that doesn't pertain to them, and deliver it in the timely manner.
Chapter 7
Is talking about a writing style that is persuasive and usable to our readers.
In order to accomplish this chapter is giving seven guidelines.
Begin by announcing your topic, we let our readers know what we are trying to tell them, so they don't have to wonder.
Present generalization before we present details, in order to let them know what our general point is
Move from most important to least important, unless we are presenting something in chronological order
Consult other conventional resources when having organizing difficulties.
Consider your readers cultural background, to avoid misunderstandings.
Reveal your communication's organization by drawing a map of it to readers through forecasting statements, transitions, headings and visual arrangements.
Finally have a smooth flow from sentence to sentence.
Is talking about doing a reader centered research in order to write information that is useful and persuasive to our readers. Reader centered research is very different from the research that we do in school. When writing for school we try to learn and understand something we didn't know before, and we don't have to worry if our reader is going to understand it. What matters is that we learn something form the experience itself and we can use it in our future.
On the other hand when we write for work we do it for practical purposes. At work we write for others, we are sharing our knowledge with our coworkers and addressing the issue that are important now. The information we include in our writing has to be valuable and relevant to them. We need to avoid any information that doesn't pertain to them, and deliver it in the timely manner.
Chapter 7
Is talking about a writing style that is persuasive and usable to our readers.
In order to accomplish this chapter is giving seven guidelines.
Begin by announcing your topic, we let our readers know what we are trying to tell them, so they don't have to wonder.
Present generalization before we present details, in order to let them know what our general point is
Move from most important to least important, unless we are presenting something in chronological order
Consult other conventional resources when having organizing difficulties.
Consider your readers cultural background, to avoid misunderstandings.
Reveal your communication's organization by drawing a map of it to readers through forecasting statements, transitions, headings and visual arrangements.
Finally have a smooth flow from sentence to sentence.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Rhetoric
There are three different parts of rhetoric: Ethos, Pathos and Logos.
Ethos is part of Rhetoric that has to do with our personality, I or We. In writing we use ethos when we want to convince people of our credibility.
Pathos is described as a persuasive technique that appeals to our emotions. We use pathos to express our emotion and persuade people that we really care about their emotions as well.
Logos is described as a technique in writing that appeals to our intellect, it is very factual type of persuasion and depends on our knowledge of subject.
We use all three of those parts of rhetoric in every part of our communication. They can be used separately, but in most cases they are used interchangeably throughout our communications. They are all tightly interconnected and are most effective when used together.
Ethos is part of Rhetoric that has to do with our personality, I or We. In writing we use ethos when we want to convince people of our credibility.
Pathos is described as a persuasive technique that appeals to our emotions. We use pathos to express our emotion and persuade people that we really care about their emotions as well.
Logos is described as a technique in writing that appeals to our intellect, it is very factual type of persuasion and depends on our knowledge of subject.
We use all three of those parts of rhetoric in every part of our communication. They can be used separately, but in most cases they are used interchangeably throughout our communications. They are all tightly interconnected and are most effective when used together.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Chapter 4, 5, 16, and 23 readings
Chapter 4
After I read chapter 3 I was pretty sure that this is all I need to know to be able to write a reader centred paper. However, when I started reading chapters 4, 5, and so on I realized that this is just a beginning.
Chapter 4 is describing how to write reader centered pieces that are highly usable. In order to write effectively by using these strategies we have to know what our readers are looking for.
It is very important for us to be able to identify the readers need, and include information that is necessary for reader to understand. Organize information hierarchically, group alike ideas, and give the main point first. What I found interesting is that graphics play very important role in work communication, and just like a chapter 3 mentioned, we have to consider cultural differences
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 is ho to write persuasively in competitive and cooperative work environment. What is that we can do to make our readers interested in our writing. First and and very important guideline not just in this chapter, but in every day life as well is to listen. If we don't listen to what people are asking for how can we give it to them. Once we hear what they want we need to respond and persuade readers to follow our direction.
Focusing on readers goals, needs, concerns and values, and learning from our readers concerns give us an opportunity to learn what our readers want.
This chapter also introduced the three parts of rhetoric: Logos, Ethos and Pathos and ways we can use them to write persuasively.
Chapter 16
This chapter is talking about team communication. This is the first English class that is talking about the team communication. So far only my business courses address teamwork. I think that the information presented in this chapter will be very useful. I have worked and wrote in a group before, yet I never new the guidelines on how to write in a team existed. I have been in different teams, and we usually followed the certain rules that we agreed on. Now that I am reading this chapter I am finding out that we actually followed most of the guidelines without even knowing them. First stage is always selecting a leader or sharing the leadership. After that comes the task distribution, sharing plans and responsibilities, making the schedule and deadlines. But before any of this is done, the team must decide on a specific topic. The only problem I have seen occurring in the past was using the meeting time efficiently. People would usually come to the meeting and discus personal issues, so in the end we wouldn't have enough time to work on our project.
Chapter 23
This chapter is explaining how to write reader friendly instruction's. Most of us come across and use different instructions at some point in our lives, and most of those instructions don't give us information we need to complete a project. The book list different steps needed to write instructions that are usable (chapter 4) and persuasive (chapter 5). Since a lot of people don't like to read instructions we have to persuade them to do so. Also the information we are presenting has to be what they are looking for, be usable. When writing instructions we have to follow certain guidelines to make it effective. Using graphics is very helpful for readers to understand, as well as safety warning to keep them from getting injured. Overall, this chapter was very helpful, and am looking foreword to reading a set of instructions so I can critique it.
After I read chapter 3 I was pretty sure that this is all I need to know to be able to write a reader centred paper. However, when I started reading chapters 4, 5, and so on I realized that this is just a beginning.
Chapter 4 is describing how to write reader centered pieces that are highly usable. In order to write effectively by using these strategies we have to know what our readers are looking for.
It is very important for us to be able to identify the readers need, and include information that is necessary for reader to understand. Organize information hierarchically, group alike ideas, and give the main point first. What I found interesting is that graphics play very important role in work communication, and just like a chapter 3 mentioned, we have to consider cultural differences
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 is ho to write persuasively in competitive and cooperative work environment. What is that we can do to make our readers interested in our writing. First and and very important guideline not just in this chapter, but in every day life as well is to listen. If we don't listen to what people are asking for how can we give it to them. Once we hear what they want we need to respond and persuade readers to follow our direction.
Focusing on readers goals, needs, concerns and values, and learning from our readers concerns give us an opportunity to learn what our readers want.
This chapter also introduced the three parts of rhetoric: Logos, Ethos and Pathos and ways we can use them to write persuasively.
Chapter 16
This chapter is talking about team communication. This is the first English class that is talking about the team communication. So far only my business courses address teamwork. I think that the information presented in this chapter will be very useful. I have worked and wrote in a group before, yet I never new the guidelines on how to write in a team existed. I have been in different teams, and we usually followed the certain rules that we agreed on. Now that I am reading this chapter I am finding out that we actually followed most of the guidelines without even knowing them. First stage is always selecting a leader or sharing the leadership. After that comes the task distribution, sharing plans and responsibilities, making the schedule and deadlines. But before any of this is done, the team must decide on a specific topic. The only problem I have seen occurring in the past was using the meeting time efficiently. People would usually come to the meeting and discus personal issues, so in the end we wouldn't have enough time to work on our project.
Chapter 23
This chapter is explaining how to write reader friendly instruction's. Most of us come across and use different instructions at some point in our lives, and most of those instructions don't give us information we need to complete a project. The book list different steps needed to write instructions that are usable (chapter 4) and persuasive (chapter 5). Since a lot of people don't like to read instructions we have to persuade them to do so. Also the information we are presenting has to be what they are looking for, be usable. When writing instructions we have to follow certain guidelines to make it effective. Using graphics is very helpful for readers to understand, as well as safety warning to keep them from getting injured. Overall, this chapter was very helpful, and am looking foreword to reading a set of instructions so I can critique it.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Comment On Todd Anderson's Writing
I just want to add that I agree with Todd when he asks how will we know that way we want things to be will happen. How can we know if we did well before we even submit our writings to the reader? How do we know that something that seems right to us might be unacceptable to the reader?
Chapter 3 Reading
Chapter 3 explains how to write effectively by defining our objectives. There are several guidelines that have to be followed in order for us to accomplish our goal. The book list 10 guidelines writers have to follow in order to write a reader centered paper. The most important objective is a developing a mental picture of our readers and writing to accommodate their needs. We have to do a thorough research of our readers attitude, their demands, personal characteristics, and cultural background to be able to get our point across. We can have the best possible ideas out there, but if our readers fail to understand our point of view our ideas might become worthless. We have to communicate in the language of our readers. In the real life different organizations create their own language, and in order to communicate effectively one has to know what that language is. There is also one important point that we all should consider, that is writing to the readers with multi cultural backgrounds. This is where it gets difficult. although most culutres have a lot in common theire differences are even greater, and learning those differences is the only way to communicate our ideas.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Chapter Readings
This reading was an introduction of what lies ahead. I know it is only three chapters but I already feel more comfortable writing.
Chapter 1 is an introduction on technical writing which is very different from writings I did for school so far. Technical writing is emphasising reader friendly approach and effective communication.
I especially found interesting the part that is talking about reader-centered strategies that we can use now on page 18.
Chapter 1 is an introduction on technical writing which is very different from writings I did for school so far. Technical writing is emphasising reader friendly approach and effective communication.
I especially found interesting the part that is talking about reader-centered strategies that we can use now on page 18.
- Help your readers find the key information quickly. Stating main point at the beginning
- Use an easy to read writing style, shorter the better, active vs passive voice, speaking in plain language
- Highlight the parts readers will find persuasive
- Talk with your readers, ask them what they want, show them that you are writing for them to understand.
Chapter 20 and 22 are an extension of chapter 1. Here we see examples of writings that we use in workplace, such as memos, letters e-mails and proposals. I have written memos and letters before, but I have never had a chance to write a proposal. The information presented in both chapters if easy to follow and understand. The author is following his suggestions from chapter in his examples of different writing structures, writing for an audience and using the being on the point.
Free Style Writing
I am one of those people who try to postpone every English or writing class until the end. As a business major student my strong side are numbers, although I know that writing is a huge part of what I will do for my career. That is why I am here today to accomplish something I have not done before. I have taken numbers of different English classes before, from basic grammar and vocabulary classes to research writing courses, but none of those classes have taught me how to write a memo or a letter or how to respond to an e-mail in more professional way.
I write every day at my work, I communicate with people mostly by e-mail, yet like I mentioned above I have never received any formal education on e-mail writing. That is why I am very excited and I am looking foreword to learning all of those "tricks" that will help me to communicate with people in more effective way.
Blogging itself is a new thing for me. I usually write with purpose, and a reason, however I like learning new things that will help me to stay in touch with current affairs. I am very open minded and I see this experience as something that will just add to my life resume.
I write every day at my work, I communicate with people mostly by e-mail, yet like I mentioned above I have never received any formal education on e-mail writing. That is why I am very excited and I am looking foreword to learning all of those "tricks" that will help me to communicate with people in more effective way.
Blogging itself is a new thing for me. I usually write with purpose, and a reason, however I like learning new things that will help me to stay in touch with current affairs. I am very open minded and I see this experience as something that will just add to my life resume.
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