What is a line of reasoning?

The line of reasoning is the reasons used to reach a conclusion. This is how you justify your thesis or your claim.

How to find a line of reasoning...

To determine your line of reasoning you have to know the rhetorical situation! This is especially important for the audience and purpose (hello Unit 4 review!!!)

How should you define the line of reasoning?

Look for evidence (of course!!!!). This means shifts in tone, patterns to use, and the main idea of the text. 

Using lots of evidence is great, but only if you can properly connect it to your line of reasoning. It needs to connect! If it doesn't you should not include it.



Let's look at writing patterns a writer can use~

Narration- tells a story in chronological order. A timeline of events

Description- Uses sensory details (touch, smell, taste, etc.). Essentially this way paints a picture for the reader.

Process Analysis- Presents the reader with instructions. A "how to" guide.

Exemplification- Uses essential details to provide clarity for the audience.

Classification- Divides a big issue into smaller parts

Compare and Contrast- Highlights similarities and differences

Problem and Solution- Shows cause and effect

Patterns like those above help create a thoughtful peice of text. It would be great to memorize and understand all of these, but really try to master one or more in your own writing. Especially for an RA essay.



Transitions-

Transitions are words that help move a piece of text along. They connect ideas in paragraphs and paragraphs to each other. This accomplishes a healthy flow of words.

-after

-however

-on the other hand

These are just a few transitions you should keep ready in your mind for your own essay.



Text Style

Text Style- This is something the author decides for themselves. The text style can be determined by tone, word choice, and diction. We talked about word choice and diction in unit 4, but tone is the author's attitude toward a subject. When reading scientific articles or other pieces of work who are trying to be unbiased it can be hard to find tone, but in most pieces if you analyze diction enough you should be able to find tone.

Look for these types of sentences-

Declarative- the author declares something

Imperative- the author commands something

Exclamatory- the author expresses a strong feeling

Interrogative- The author asks a question, sometimes a rhetorical question



As we go further into Unit 5 remember TAPE!!!

T- Tone

A- Audience

P- Purpose

E- Evidence