Chapter 16- What Counts As Evidence

In chapter 6 titled “What Count as Evidence,” the textbook talks about the different types of evidence that are successful in an argument. There are two main categories of evidence. The first one given is firsthand evidence and research. Under this category you will find observations, interviews, surveys, questionnaires, experiences and personal experience. In my opinion, the one that is least affective to me is questionnaires. Even though most questionnaires are completely random, it doesn’t mean that the people giving out the survey have a definite variety. All the people that they interviewed could all have had the same views on certain topics. I think the most effective use of evidence under this category is experiments. By performing an experiment, you can find out information that is valid and also some personal experience such as what you believe. Experiments can be done anywhere. They could be done in a science lab, or even on the side of the road. Personal experience, I think, is also very important. Personal experience helps us understand the topic or argument a little bit better if we can relate. The other category given in chapter 6 is secondhand evidence and research. Under this category you will find library sources and online sources. I think most of us can agree that these types of evidence are most trustworthy. Whenever you have a question, or need to research, you normally look it up on the web such as google. In the chapter, it does mention that a library database is completely different than the Internet web, which is true, but either way you go to the computer to look up information. Its also funny the different types of people we trust for accurate evidence. We all know it’s easier to trust a professional than someone who is uneducated.

Chapter 13- Style In Arguments

The reading for this week, chapter thirteen, Style In Arguments was mainly about how to use certain techniques to get an argument across. The main topics of this chapter were sentence structure, punctuation and figurative language. I found a lot of it very helpful, and it made me think deeper into writing and how much the little things do matter. But in my opinion, a lot of it was self explanatory, and I already knew the information. A lot of the tips the book gave we learned in grade school already. We all had to do those activities in school about punctuations and where you are supposed to put them in a sentence. I do agree with the book when they say that punctuation helps to enhance style. Punctuations make all the difference. And to relate to my life, punctuation in texting is important. Imagine getting a text that says “can’t wait” rather than “can’t wait!!!.” I feel like the first one is more sarcastic than the second, and the second shows way more excitement. But that could be just me. I always found similes and metaphors interesting. In grade school, I always enjoyed doing the activities on similes and metaphors; I always found them so fun. A simile is a comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as.” A metaphor is just simple a comparision between two things. For an example, a simile would be “Tory’s laugh is like a hyena.” And a metaphor would be “Ally is a pig when she eats her meals.” The part I also found interesting was the analogy part. In school, whenever a teacher gives an analogy on a topic, it always helps me learn better. So besides improve and spicing up your writing, an analogy can be a learning tool as wel. The chapter as a whole was extremely helpful on writing my paper on my definition of the word “need.”