As I started my research paper, I felt prepared. I had great sources, good ideas, and a decent notion of how my paper would be organized. However, as my writing took me past the introduction, I found that the sources I had didn't quite fit what I had decided to write about. They were related and interesting, but as what I wrote developed organically, I realized I would have to really stretch the subject of my paper thin, thereby weakening the support of my thesis in the body paragraphs.
I found that I would have to come up with ideas of what I wanted to write in the next sentence or paragraph and then search for papers that supported what I was intending to say. As I followed this pattern, it became more natural and the real shape of my paper became clear to me. I quickly discarded what I found before I started my paper and began to develop my ideas and to search for research on those subjects. It took some time and effort, but I was able to find plenty of research which supported my points.
Another important tool I discovered while writing my paper was technology. This was perhaps one of the most important things I learned during the crafting process. Technology helped me to structure my paper with the proper style, it helped me to find the papers I needed to read to support my arguments, and it helped correct the errors in my grammar and in my spelling.
The use of technology, especially in today's world, cannot be understated. Technology will be used by your reader. They will use it to judge your style, your grammar, your information and they can easily locate your sources. If you do not use technology to aid you in your efforts to craft a well-written research essay, you will struggle to satisfy your reader.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
3. Research Paper
For my research paper, I am going to write about the effects of social media on modern social life. My audience is first world populations that frequently use social media outlets to inform, entertain and maintain contact with their social structures.
The audience I am approaching is generally rejecting the idea that social media has negative effects on how well informed they are, as well as the social structures that they participate in. This is largely due to the prevalence they perceive in the use of the social media platforms they enjoy. This is enhanced by the fact that often those who utilize these medias create so-called echo chambers by only consuming social media that agrees with or appeals to them.
The audience who uses the social media often values the appearance of being informed and well-connected. Not only do they consume media produced by others, but they often create media with the aim to increase their social status among their peers. Thus we can understand that they are concerned most to maintain themselves within the social norms promoted by society within the social media services they participate in.
Many of the things that the consumers of social media fear most is being left out. This includes being left out of social norms, being left out of popular entertainment and not know what their" friends" are doing currently. This leads to an almost compulsive use of social media to satisfy the instant desire of being not only entertained but "informed" about the occurrence.
Some of the counter arguments they might purpose include that only an informed person can actively participate in society. They may also claim that this is the best way to build large social circles that are often needed to in today's world. However, these ideas are built upon the false assumption that the information found is true and connections made are beneficial.
The audience I am approaching is generally rejecting the idea that social media has negative effects on how well informed they are, as well as the social structures that they participate in. This is largely due to the prevalence they perceive in the use of the social media platforms they enjoy. This is enhanced by the fact that often those who utilize these medias create so-called echo chambers by only consuming social media that agrees with or appeals to them.
The audience who uses the social media often values the appearance of being informed and well-connected. Not only do they consume media produced by others, but they often create media with the aim to increase their social status among their peers. Thus we can understand that they are concerned most to maintain themselves within the social norms promoted by society within the social media services they participate in.
Many of the things that the consumers of social media fear most is being left out. This includes being left out of social norms, being left out of popular entertainment and not know what their" friends" are doing currently. This leads to an almost compulsive use of social media to satisfy the instant desire of being not only entertained but "informed" about the occurrence.
Some of the counter arguments they might purpose include that only an informed person can actively participate in society. They may also claim that this is the best way to build large social circles that are often needed to in today's world. However, these ideas are built upon the false assumption that the information found is true and connections made are beneficial.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
2. The 187th Semiannual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
This last weekend, September 30th and October 1st, 2017, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held their semiannual general conference. As the name denotes, this conference is open to the general body of the church, as well as any visitors who wish to view the proceedings. The speakers for this conference are drawn from the general authorities and officers of the Church. These speakers are not given a topic to talk about, but rather carefully ponder on what they should say and are guided by the Holy Ghost to the topic they eventually speak on.
The speakers spend copious amounts of time writing and re-writing their remarks. They are careful to listen to the Spirit as they prepare their talk so that the words can be prepared to reach the hearts of those who are listening when the message is delivered. This is a huge blessing to everyone who listens and can often have profound impacts on the lives of the audience.
One talk that was given during this conference was given by Elder John C. Pingree of the Quorum of the Seventy. He gave a talk titled " I Have a Work for Thee." In this talk, he discusses the different roles that people have in their lives and how it can sometimes be difficult to decide what one's role is. In discussing how someone can decide what they should be doing with their life, he offered the following advice: "After pondering for several months, I came across this verse: “If you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation” (D&C 11:8). The Spirit helped me understand that the primary purpose of divine assignments is to bless others and to do “much good.”"
Powerful messages like this help member of The Church, as well as others, across the world, to develop their lives and to feel more joy because they appeal to fundamental desires that many people have. In the case of this talk, it appeals to the need to have a meaningful role in life. This is something that many people spend a lot of time thinking about. Because serving others feels good, the advice that is given here will appeal to the audience it is given. This is especially true because the audience, the members of The Church, are typically trying to find ways to do more good in the world.
The speakers spend copious amounts of time writing and re-writing their remarks. They are careful to listen to the Spirit as they prepare their talk so that the words can be prepared to reach the hearts of those who are listening when the message is delivered. This is a huge blessing to everyone who listens and can often have profound impacts on the lives of the audience.
One talk that was given during this conference was given by Elder John C. Pingree of the Quorum of the Seventy. He gave a talk titled " I Have a Work for Thee." In this talk, he discusses the different roles that people have in their lives and how it can sometimes be difficult to decide what one's role is. In discussing how someone can decide what they should be doing with their life, he offered the following advice: "After pondering for several months, I came across this verse: “If you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation” (D&C 11:8). The Spirit helped me understand that the primary purpose of divine assignments is to bless others and to do “much good.”"
Powerful messages like this help member of The Church, as well as others, across the world, to develop their lives and to feel more joy because they appeal to fundamental desires that many people have. In the case of this talk, it appeals to the need to have a meaningful role in life. This is something that many people spend a lot of time thinking about. Because serving others feels good, the advice that is given here will appeal to the audience it is given. This is especially true because the audience, the members of The Church, are typically trying to find ways to do more good in the world.
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