Blog # 10

In any kind of research based paper quotation, paraphrasing, and summary can be very important tools to use. Not only do they make your observations and opinion more valid they also add content to your subject. As stated in the reading, "visual sources can lend support to an assertion"(574). Sometimes simply being able to state an opinion isn't enough to convince people of your argument. If anybody could just make an assertion without any proof, or if people were simply naive enough to accept any argument somebody tossed into their paper, then we would not very knowledgable or reliable people. Readers are much more inclined to read and truly delve into the content from a writer that shows they are knowledgable and has done their research. Using summary to give the reader a basic knowledge and understanding of what you are discussing, paraphrasing to help establish a thought or idea, and quotations to bring attention to important details, opinions, or theories all help to make your writing much more credible and appropriate. Everybody has bias but it is important to have evidence to make your assertions much more credible otherwise you are just ranting. Ranting doesn't necessarily make you un-knowlegable but it does take away from your content. Having a physical quote and source to back up your argument shows you know what you are talking about. In my paper it is is especially important to have sources so that when I say a place is good for going on a first date, they can see other sources agree with me and I am not just randomly saying it.
Mood and tone are also very important tools in writing. A boring essay can throw a reader off and make them averted to really accepting your opinion. When discussing an argument the reader needs to be interested and have their curiosity sparked. They must genuinely be drawn to the discuss and it's up to the writer to establish a mood and incorporate visuals and quotations to help. This is important for my paper since I'm discussing good eating places to go to on a first date. Somebody that is considering visiting one of these place may want a clear visual of the place they are visiting for that special date and may want some trustworthy sources to gather information about the restaurant they are going to be visiting. Readers don't just want to hear about a place they are visiting. Readers want to be able to identify with the writer and understand why the restaurant is worth visiting which makes visuals an important part.