Q The questions for this week's short write come from our reading (Chapter 9, everything's an argument), and are in response to the new assignment, Rethinking Definition. In the Week 5 module, I have also posted an example of working through a definitional argument using the rhetorical triangle (Is global warming an "immediate concern?"). Please take a look at all of those things before answering the following questions. 1) For practice, use the readings, notes, and examples to work through the following scenario for defining the word photograph: Scenario (context): A panel of judges must decide whether computer-enhanced images (i.e. Photoshop, etc.) will be eligible in a contest for landscape photography. At what point is an electronically manipulated image no longer a photograph? A) What are the qualities that make a photograph? What is a photograph? B) What larger category/categories (genus) does the species of photo fall into? (Example: Genus--Vehicle, Species--Car, Truck, Plane, Van, Train, etc.) C) What makes a photo different from other members of that genus? D) What is the purpose of a photo? Does a copy or digitally enhanced image achieve the same purpose? E) Who is involved in this scenario (hint: three main groups)? What is at stake for each group in defining the term photograph one way or the other in this context? 2) What term or phrase will you be researching for the Rethinking Definition assignment? To make what argument? 3) What specific claims will you make using this definition? 4) What kinds of sources would best support those claims, in addition to the definitions themselves? What evidence to do you need to demonstrate that your claims are valid? 5) How do you generally judge if a source you find during your research is reliable or not? 6) Take this opportunity to develop your research question, draft your thesis (the answer to your research question and your main argument), and search for and evaluate sources. Use the library website to your advantage. Use databases to find articles, and don't hesitate to ask me or a librarian for help. You can even live chat with the Steely Library staff through their website. When we get done, you'll have a good head start on your essay and you'll be able to look around at which issues other people have decided to argue about. A) In what context do you plan to situate your argument? And, what contextual factors exist that shape your views of this topic, society's views of this topic? B) What kinds of questions are you trying to answer in this essay? What are your answers for those questions? C) Who is involved in this issue, which specific groups of people? Who will agree with your stance on the issue? Who is likely to disagree? How might others answer your research questions differently? D) Who is your target audience? What information can you assume they already know or would agree with? What might you still need to inform them on? E) What are the consequences of your solution? Who stands to gain or lose, and what is it that they will gain or lose, specifically? F) What is your call-to-action? What do you want your reader to do once they have read your essay?