Writing Log 2A Hotspots Pt1

First, I chose the following hotspot: “The kinds of questions that stimulate the writing most valued in college are open-ended questions that focus on unknowns rather than factual questions that have single right answers… a good question sets the writer on the path of inquiry, critical thinking, analysis and argument.” (page 13, paragraph 3). The author explained that a good writer needs to pose good questions in order to write a good paper. I agree with this because I feel that questions help to guide a paper and lead the discussion. I also feel that questions give the readers the opportunity to build upon the writer's knowledge and explore the issue more thoroughly. As a result, the reader may do his or her own research and collaborate their own findings into a paper of their own. When a writer asks his or her readers a question, it serves not only as a topic for thought and discussion, but as a means of passing on information so that it can be expanded upon. Therefore, when writer asks a question in a paper, he is doing two things: 1) relaying his own answers to the question to the reader and thus doing his part to help solve or address the issue, and 2) ensuring that the discussion continues by asking the reader's opinion and encouraging him or her to consider their own view.

I next chose the following hotspot: “In assessing your audience, you must first determine who that audience is – a single reader, a select group, or a general audience.” (page 22, paragraph 3). This means that the writer needs to consider the specific type of person or persons who are going to read his work. I chose this because it directly relates to the previous hotspot. In order for a writer to ask a question and relay information, he or she must first consider the type of person who will read the paper so that he or she can tailor the question to best fit the audience. It is important to consider how much the audience knows about the subject matter so that the writer can adjust the paper to present his or her views in the most appropriate way. If the writer is successful in doing so, he or she will have written a clearer paper that is more easily understood by the audience, and ultimately more effective.