Have A Point WHY WRITE SOMETHING THATS POINTLESS

Have A Point ! WHY WRITE SOMETHING THAT’S POINTLESS? THAT’S A POINTLESS ENDEAVOR, RIGHT?

Have A Point ! �To write something is to have something in mind to say. �The following list helps writers with vague topics, unformed ideas, or directionless thoughts focus. �It also helps those with a good game plan and strong concepts sharpen their ideas.

Have A Point ! Explaining and Using Principles �Sometimes writers use different academic principles to illustrate their ideas; sometimes they use evidence to illustrate the principles. �Academic Principles offer a wide range perspectives on topics (and there as many academic principles as there academic departments and fields of study, many more actually): � In biology there is the principle of natural selection � Sociology has the principle of anticipation � Literature has the principle of unity � These are but a few.

Have A Point ! Explaining and Using Principles �Some writers discuss ethical and moral principles: The idea of what is best for most people The idea that one must take the situation into account before determining what the best course of action is The idea that there are enduring ideas that we base our actions upon The idea that one must adhere to certain virtues

Have A Point ! Uncovering / Using Identity �Writers may also look at how the topics they are writing about affect and are affected by different identity positions within a culture: � How does the argument affect or how is it affected by considerations of social or economic class? � How does the argument affect or how is it affected by considerations of gender? � How does the argument affect or how is it affected by considerations of race? � How does the argument affect or how is it affected by considerations of age? � How does the argument affect or how is it affected by considerations of ability?

Have A Point ! Relating Politically �Many writers like to relate their topics to the current (or historic) political environment. They argue for policy changes, attitude changes, idea changes: � How does the issue play across a number of political spectrums? Conservative / Liberal Security / Liberty � How Authoritarian / Anarchic Radical Right / Radical Left does the issue concern history, constitutionality, founding principles?

Have A Point ! Broad Categories �Writers may give their topics meaning and relevance by relating them to some broad ideas: The Self—how does the issue relate to a person’s self? Communication—how does the issue affect communication between people and groups? How is the issue communicated? Education—Is there an educational component to the issue? Is there something being taught or is there something not being taught? Community—How does the issue affect communities? Individuality—Are there issues of individuality involved?

Have A Point ! Illustrating Life Issues �Perhaps a topic meshes well with some issues involving the human race: Does the topic say something about the origins of humans or the origins of some kind of thought and behavior? Does the topic have anything to say about human development? Does the topic say something about what it means to live the “good life”?

Have A Point ! Explaining Motivations �Finally, we come to questions about whether a topic can explain in some small part the beliefs and behaviors of humans. What does the topic say about what we believe? What do our beliefs about the topic say about us? Does the topic in some way explain why we behave the way we do? Does it in some small way explain our motivations for beliefs and behaviors?

Have A Point ! �So… �We could certainly add to this list more things that give our ideas and our writing more depth, more relevance, more meaning. This list is just partial. �One thing you might do is to keep your topic in mind when you’re reading through these slides. Start back at the beginning and see if there aren’t some issues, some questions that help you to flesh out your topic.