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Academic Writing. What distinguishes Good Writing from Bad Writing ? Let’s Read from Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance . Academic Writing. “Quality” - Pirsig (as Phaedrus) later becomes obsessed with this concept to the point of mental instability.
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Academic Writing • What distinguishes Good Writing from Bad Writing? • Let’s Read from Robert Pirsig’sZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Academic Writing • “Quality” - Pirsig (as Phaedrus) later becomes obsessed with this concept to the point of mental instability. • What’s the point here? • True writing is a sort of creative calling forth. It takes care and attention. There are no real tricks, shortcuts, or formulas. • You have to learn to look internally to evaluate your own work as you create it.
Academic Writing • Let’s come back to Earth. There are still practical techniques/ skills to master. • Let’s read “Writing in College”
“Writing in College” Answer the following, to be collected: What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses as a writer? (Make a T-Chart) What, if anything, surprises you about this reading?
Academic Writing • How confident are you in your ability to write successfully in college? Why? Relate your writing experience to the points made by Williams and McEnerney in the article.
Aristotelian Logic & Fashioning an Argument A Study of Deductive Reasoning
Why learn this stuff? • Logic = Reasoning • Basis of academic thought • Creation of argument
How do I demonstrate logic? • Make obvious, explicit connections between your major thoughts and ideas • You want someone to FOLLOW your train of thought.
Aristotle • Worked with syllogisms • Formal system of thought • Provides a method for connecting ideas together
Syllogism • Ex: 1) Wood floats in water. 2) Ships are made of wood 3) Therefore ships float in water.
Syllogisms • #1 and #2 are both a premise. • #3 is a conclusion
Syllogism Example Reiterated • Premise #1: Wood floats in water. • Premise #2: Ships are made of wood. • Conclusion: Therefore, ships float in water.
Syllogism Practice • If all humans are mortal, • and all Greeks are humans, • then all Greeks are mortal.
This type of logic isn’t perfect! • All chickens have two legs. • Aristotle has two legs. • Therefore, Aristotle is a chicken. =flawed However, this isn’t the point!
So? • When you write an essay, watch your premises. They should lead to a valid conclusion.
Examples – Fill in the missing component • All trees have root systems. • Therefore, All trees need nitrogen. • All root systems need nitrogen.
Examples – Fill in the missing component • All fruits grow on trees • Therefore, all oranges grow on trees • All oranges are fruits
Examples – Fill in the missing component • All bachelor's are single • Johnny is single, • Hence, Johnny is a bachelor
Ex: Logic w/o syllogism format • Everyday I go to work. This journey from my home to my office takes one hour. My office starts at eight o' clock in the morning. So, if I leave my home at seven o' clock in the morning, I will reach the office in time.
Argument Validity and Soundness
Argument: Validity • A deductive argument is said to be validif and only if it takes a form that makes it impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion nevertheless to be false. Otherwise, a deductive argument is said to be invalid.
Argument: Validity • Valid arguments do not require true premises.
Ex: Valid Argument – True premises • Either Elizabeth owns a Honda or she owns a Saturn. • Elizabeth does not own a Honda. • Therefore, Elizabeth owns a Saturn.
Ex: Valid Argument – False premises • All toasters are items made of gold. • All items made of gold are time-travel devices. • Therefore, all toasters are time-travel devices.
Argument - Soundness • A sound argument is one that is not only valid, but begins with premises that are actually true
Soundness • A deductive argument is sound if and only if • 1) it is both valid, and • 2) all of its premises are actually true. • Otherwise, a deductive argument is unsound.
Ex: Sound argument • No felons are eligible voters. • Some professional athletes are felons. • Therefore, some professional athletes are not eligible voters. QUANTIFIERS