Academic writingLesson 6 of 6 in the course Position Argument: Practicing the Art of Rhetoric

Reflecting on the Development of a Position Argument

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

A writing portfolio does more than collect finished papers: it helps you recognize how your ideas and skills developed. In this lesson, you will reflect on the process of creating a position argument, from choosing a topic and forming a thesis to researching, revising, and editing. Looking back at these choices can help you understand what worked, what challenged you, and how to approach future writing more effectively.

All flashcards

What is a portfolio reflection?
An explanation of how a writer developed a paper, what choices and challenges shaped it, and what the writer learned for future work.
What makes a thesis workable?
A workable thesis is focused and arguable, and it can be supported with reasons and evidence while guiding the paper’s development.
How do ethos, pathos, and logos differ?
Ethos builds credibility, pathos connects with readers’ values or emotions, and logos persuades through evidence and reasoning.
What is kairos in an argument?
Kairos is the timeliness or situational relevance of an argument, including how well it responds to the audience and the moment.
How should a writer reflect on constructive criticism?
Identify the specific feedback, explain how it influenced a revision or decision, and describe how that change affected the argument.

Quiz questions

  1. What is the main purpose of reflecting on a position argument in a portfolio?Answer: To explain how writing choices and process shaped the paper and identify lessons for future writing.
  2. How can research affect the writing process for a position argument?Answer: New information may lead the writer to revise a claim.
  3. How should a writer decide which counterclaims to address?Answer: Consider their relevance, strength, and importance to the audience.
  4. Which approach can help a writer generate and organize promising ideas?Answer: Use a method such as brainstorming, freewriting, listing, or discussion.
  5. A peer says that a central claim is unclear, so the writer rewrites it and reorganizes a supporting paragraph. What is the most useful way to describe this in a portfolio reflection?Answer: Explain the specific feedback, the revision it prompted, and how the change affected the argument.

Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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