Rhetoric and Reason

I've talked about this before in this blog, but recently I did a research paper for my English 312 class. And oh man, it was a doozy. I've talked enough about the topic that I don't think I need to go over it again, but let me just share my experience about writing the paper. Writing a research paper is a long and arduous process--especially if you're a perfectionist like I am. The most time consuming process of the whole paper is probably the research. This is a research paper after all, if you don't have all the necessary information to back up your argument, your paper is automatically weakened. So here are my 3 tips for research: 1. Set a time frame: Don't dawdle on your research, but don't let it consume you either. Being able to set a strict time frame on your research will help you work effectively and efficiently when you actually sit down and start digging in. Doing research can be like watching a car accident, you don't want to actually s...

Reading has always been a big part of my life. I remember first learning how to read and thinking to myself that it was too hard, I couldn't do it, I was just going to be illiterate for the rest of my life (these were my thoughts, although perhaps not the same word choice).  I did learn to read, and it quickly became my favorite past time. Long late hours into the night with a book, my parents would have to come and turn my light off or I would never have slept.  I love the feel of the binding in between your hands, the smell of the pages is almost as intoxicating as the story within--and so I could never really get behind books on tape. I felt like I would be missing something if I didn't have the book in my hand. My brother however, loves Audible. He loves it with a capital L. It might have something to do with his lifestyle; he works construction and is always moving around, driving, and working. His job calls for early mornings and sometimes late nights. He simpl...

Writing a research paper is no easy task. The very words, "Research Paper", strike fear into the heart and soul of every college student in the Nation. At the beginning of this class, I knew it would be difficult to complete this assignment. But I enjoy writing, it's an activity that has been part of my life ever since I was a little girl. I've written short stories, essays, chapters to future novels, newspaper articles, opinion pieces and so on and so on. So, part of me was excited for a chance to hone my writing skills by taking on a big project, such as a Research Paper. Here is the secret about writing: it's actually very easy. As long as you have passion and determination, your writing can be great. Here is the other secret about writing: it takes a good idea. None of the above can happen if you're missing this one step. In marketing they call it the "Big Idea". It's the spark of an idea that fuels ambitious projects: big ideas can chang...

For the English 312 class, we are required to write a 10-page research paper about a topic of our choice. The following is an explanation of my subject: Topic: I am researching the mental and emotional effects of pornography Question: in order to better understand how pornography affects society Significance: to help the reader see the negative affect of pornography and the necessity to protect ourselves from its influence. Audience Statement: My audience is neither for or against pornography in society, they don't personally watch it, and they don't want their husbands to watch it, but they rationalize the use of pornography in society by saying it's within someones rights to view porn if they so choose. They value family, and recreational/physical activity, honesty and good values, but they are easily swayed by the voices of society claiming that individual rights are more important than the rights of a society. They fear harm coming to their family, or tragedy t...