Response Blog: January 6, 2012

GRR: (1) The word argument is used in everyday conversation whether someone is talking about an argument they had with a friend or talking about people who are in the middle of an argument. Gossip happens a lot and people may be talking about an argument that might arise out of the situation or what they are talking about can be blown into an argument. My definition of argument is when two people or more are having a disagreement about a problem that they do not agree on. In an academic setting I feel that when people talk about an argument it deals more with a discussion than just being mad at someone for not agreeing with you. The two meanings are different because when it is an argument in an academic setting it is about intellectual thoughts and an argument outside is more about your emotions.

QD (1-3): 1. According to Greene we will be asked to write essays, editorials, and by asking a question that will interest us.

2. Greene quotes Burke’s passage because it shows exactly what he talks about when he says how arguments are a part of what we do every day. The metaphor is showing that even when someone walks into an argument that has already been started, certain events are triggered and they are able to jump right into the conversation. It challenges others to see how they would react to a situation like this.

3. Framing can help you to compose your voice in an argument. The metaphor that underlies it is describing the lens, or perspective from which the writer is presenting their argument. For Greene the concept is important because it helps you to form your reasons for developing an argument. Framing encourages you to distinguish the way you think from how others do. 

AEI: (2) Yes, I think that Greene’s article represents a conversation with the reader. He frames his argument by including other authors and I would say from the article that Greene practices what he preaches in “Argument as Conversation.”