Finding Evidence, Summary and Response
In the reading “Finding Evidence,” by Andrea A. Lunsford & John J. Ruszkiewicz, the authors talk about the basics of constructing a research paper, more specifically, how to find the most effective evidence for one’s paper. It starts out by explaining the importance of evidence; it makes one’s claim sound more logically and reasonably correct. Then the article moves into discussing the correlation between one’s evidence and its claim. If the evidence is not relevant and doesn’t “match the time and place” of one’s argument, then it does the opposite of its intended purpose and dissuaded its audience from further reading the paper. As the article further progresses, the author puts forth different methods of collecting evidence. A writer can use either first-hand resources, such as anecdote, interviews, and surveys, or second-hand resources, such as books, journals, and online data, depending on his/ her rhetorical situation, to strengthen their claim. In my opinion, I think the best way to produce the most effective results is by using a combination of both first- and second-hand resources since it will not only make the audience look at reason but also give the writer credibility to speak. Also, this article seems to be for people who are getting into researching with little to no knowledge of researching, such as myself for the next assignment.
Under My Thumb, Summary and Response
In the essay “Under My Thumb”, by Chelsea Booth, the author digs into the gender inequality in the music industry and how that affects women as a whole. Chelsea incorporates many different pieces of evidence such as personal experience, statistics and observations, and experiments. The author begins by reminiscing over the past experience she had with a guy that made her realize all she wants is to be considered as equals. In addition, she then realizes that it’s harder for girls to love music than guys since the music industry and the history is just made up of male musicians and very few unrecognized females. By doing an observation of her music class and experimenting the allocation of time on each content, it’s quite understandable that there is an excessive amount of time wasted just on the “silence” when that same time could have been used to go over female musicians. Moving on, this gender inequality is further developed in the music industry that even during concerts women are not treated right; they are molested, raped and sexually assaulted in every way. To support this claim, Booth uses both personal experience and statistics. In the end, by including personal experiences and other sources of evidence, Booth proposes that even though females have the power to change, they are just waiting for the chance to express themselves. In my opinion, this seems like a very powerful essay and there is no doubt it got an award too. I love how Booth uses different pieces of evidence to highlight the sexual assault she has faced in life which, in turn, establishes the bigger idea; women have what it takes to change the prevailing vices in our society.