Discussion Forum : Audience Analysis

Background

This week’s readings look at the concept of a concession or “middle ground” that writers might look for when building an argument. Often this is needed because the evidence for one side is not overwhelming or because people on the two sides of a debate hold different values. We focus on the use of logical evidence (logos) in college papers, but it’s important to consider pathos also, that is, the values and emotions related to our topics. In this discussion, we’ll consider this aspect.

Directions for the Discussion Question Response

In a few sentences, remind us of the topic you’ve chosen for your Researched Argument Essay and what your working thesis is. Next, state who your audience will be. Then, in two or more paragraphs, do an analysis of the audience’s values in relation to the topic. How strong will they be, and will you need to make concessions for them?

Example of a Discussion Question Response

I’ll use an example of a problem with a city.

Thesis: The United States should follow the lead of other countries and install cameras in most public places, such as on all street lamps. The evidence shows that the use of these cameras does not cut down on the number of crimes committed initially but it does significantly increase the chances of the police being able to catch those who commit the crimes much more efficiently. It thus cuts down on the costs of policing, which makes the camera use pay for itself. With time, the awareness of the cameras and ability to find those who commit crimes should reduce overall crime.

Audience: The City Council of a major city, who would have to allocate the funds for this project. As elected officials, they have to take their opinions of the city residents into account. There are likely to be two competing values.

One is the value of public safety. People want to feel safe, and they want to know that their possessions are reasonably secure. People also feel a resentment against those who commit crimes and get away with it.

On the other hand, people value their privacy quite a bit. There are likely to be fears about what the police might do with the recordings. People may also fear the system being hacked, with unknown others being able to track any individual’s movements in public places.

Given the value of privacy, the argument may have to build in reassurances about how the data will be stored and later destroyed, how the system will be protected from hacking, and what civil liberties will be reinforced.

Your response to the discussion prompt should be at least 350 words and a few well-developed paragraphs. It is due by Thursday, 7/22, at 11:59pm.

Directions for the Reply to Someone Else

Your reply should provide another view about the values. Was a value missed? Does the reasoning about the value seem good? Are there any concessions that you feel should be used?

THE TOPIC I HAVE CHOSEN TWO TOPICS WHICH IS YOU CAN YOU PICK ONE

The two topics that I was thinking about is “why technology limiting creativity”, and “College Tuition Should be Free”

In past years, the living costs has grown dramatically. College tuition, along with high cost of living, may prevent students from attending college. Additionally, students will focus their efforts on making money rather than on their education. According to Clapp (2016), every nation aims at being self-sufficient by acquiring most of the essential resources on its own (Clapp, 2016). To achieve such higher goals, education should be put at stake. Although free tuition might be viewed as a burden to a nation due to the expenses involved in the purchasing of teaching and learning resources, paying teachers, and staff salaries, its outcome is quite incredible. Citizens who cannot afford school, on the other hand, may move to seek work or even obtain a scholarship in a foreign nation and, as a consequence, labor outside their country, contributing to the country’s economic collapse. Therefore, the implementation of free tuition not only positively impacts the economic growth of a country but also prevents citizens from migrating to seek jobs.

Technology has made us lazy and we cannot imagine a single day without it. We are so much stuck to our smartphones that, we can’t think of anything without it. Technology has made us indolent and which never encourages us to do something new. Laziness is something that never allows you to progress. Creativity or a new idea is something we get when we analyze, we observe people, things, etc. But nowadays we don’t even have time for ourselves. All we need is our phone and a good internet connection.