Blog Post #1- A&B Ch. 1-2

Hotspot 1

On page 5 in Chapter 1 of A&B, the statement that is presented by Ramage, Bean, and Johnson "However, instead of focusing on rules, we would like to begin by giving you a broader and deeper way to look at writing.." Basically they're saying that writing rhetorically doesn't have any rules, but writers write to prose questions or appeal to an audience. A writer who is good can be question askers and problem prosers. This hotspot I chose because it opens up my mind to think and write what I feel while not worrying about rules that will effect what I have to say.

Hotspot 2

In "A Letter to the Editor"  by David Rockwood, he argues that wind power "is based on fantasy rather than fact." He disagrees that setting up wind power to generate electricity would be a bad idea. I agree with his argument because Rockwood states in the second paragraph "wind energy would be unavailable - either in no wind situations or in severe blizzard conditions, which would shut down the generators." I agree, with putting the generators in the mountains by Oregon or Washington, would create problems with the area. The generators are going to take up too much room, they are 100-200 feet tall, and would be costly. The generators with the big props also kill the birds, just a side note.

Hotspot 3

Chapter 2 page 32-33 discusses the concept of freewriting. Freewriting is "nonstop writing or sustained writing" where you write whatever about whatever. Basically you just put your pen to a piece of paper and write about the first thing that comes to your mind. "Many freewriters find themselves running out of ideas in 3-5 minutes, but if this happens just sit there and write over and over I'm stuck or this is stupid until you get an idea." I have to agree with what they're saying. Sometimes freewriting can get you a good story or just a laugh.

Hotspot 4

Concept 6 on page 41 in Chapter 2 talks about a strong thesis statement surprises readers with something new or challenging. "Thus a strong usually contains an element of uncertainty, risk, or challenge." A strong thesis statement lets the reader know what to expect in the paper. A reader can already tell that they are going to like or dislike the topic of the paper by the thesis statement.