No Worries Peeps Let Me Break It Down

Diction, or choice of words, can say a lot about a person, not only on writing but also in speech. It can be used to determine social class or role. However, we can manipulate diction depending on the context. There are four levels of register, they are: extremely formal, formal, ordinary language and informal. Although, for many careers or in our case couses have their own seperate language with different meanings, this is called functional specialization. Extremely formal can sound pretentious and is rarely used in todays society. Formal and ordinary language are designated for academic essays or in the appropriate situation. Casual conversations are generally informal. They often include slang or regional dialect. It is important to differentiate when to use certain registers. The diction you select will define what you are saying as well as the way it will be preceived.

Formats for You

In class, we expanded on the basic essay, otherwise known as the five paragraph monster. Its name holds true because when students begin to write larger essays they tend to get stuck in the mind set that it must be five parts and they end up with page long paragraphs. To solve this particular problem, instead of making your body three paragraphs you can split them into sections which allows you to write as many paragraphs as you like for each supporting point. Although, for different topics or audiences you may want to consider other formats. If you are discussing a controversial topic or you want to gently pursuad your audience essay with a paragraph designated for a concession is an acceptable technique. On the other hand, when you are making a strong argument including an opposition (which is much like a concession) followed by a rebuttal will eliminate any debate about your thesis. I find all three formats helpful in the proper situation and I will utilize them accordingly in the future.

Automatic Preview

Previewing is a technique used more often than you realize. You may not consciously recognize that you constantly use your observations to make connection sand predictions. Something as insignificant as the illustrations on the cover of a book or a title can make an impression on you. In your everyday life you analyze things to build your ideas. This can also help you to begin to understand and form your thoughts about specific material. It may seem like an extra step that will take take up time but usually you will complete it without even knowing.

Reaction to the Writing Style of J. H. Plumb

Although J. H. Plumb had an interesting topic for his essay, it was very factual and historical which made it appear dry. Aside from the first paragraph, it lacked personal style even though it was written in the first person. He introduced the essay with an anecdote which initially holds the readers interest. In the first paragraph he utilized engaging descriptions and allowed the reader to share his reaction. Then he went on to the history of families. The facts were given one after another and they weren't written with any personal attachment to the writter. The body was boring because he did not share any sort of opinion. The conclusion was an interesting idea of the failure of families in modern society.

Writing for the Reader

Typically, the purpose of writing is to share your thoughts with the reader. Therefore, you should always consider the perception and reaction the readed will have. It is important to express yourself in a fair-minded fashion. Your opinion should be evident, and there is never a need to apologize for it, but it is imperative to not offend the reader when expressing your point of view. Furthermore, you should never over complicate your writing by using difficult vocabulary and complex sentences. Compensating in those ways previously stated will make it obvious to the reader that you are not confident in your writing. Often times your audience will enjoy your style and personal flair, apposed to dry, wordy writing. On that note, the best writing in from the heart and respectful of the reader.

Dilemma in Psychology

In psychology the dilemma of ethics often arises. There are strict guide lines for research that are governed by the APA. They exist to protect humans and animals from physical and emotional harm. It is often hard to determine what is ethical and what is not. The APA has formed a board that must approve all research before it commences, to ensure there won't be unethical practices taking place. Although psychology has come a long way in developing and implementing a code of ethics, I believe it will always be a dilemma because it is subjective.

Revising a Paragraph

It may not be obvious, but paragraphs can always be revised into a better version. In class, we have looked at many different tools you can utilize to improve your writting. By using unity and coherence you can convey your message or argument with clarity. Ensuring that your writting is all on the same topic is the key point in achieving unity. Demonstrating proper organization, transitional expressions, tense consistence and reducing redundancy are important for the readers understanding and interpretation. The final revision is the development of the paragraph. Many examples are: questions, anecdotes, quotes, statements, research findings, examples, and explanations. If you follow these general guidelines you can enhance your writting and create a tone unique to your style and choice of words.