Argument as Conversation Summary and Response

In Stuart Greene’s 2001 article, Argument as Conversation: The Role of Inquiry in Writing a Researched Argument, many different suggestions are given regarding how to successfully convey an argument in writing. Greene states that when people sit down to write about a topic of interest to them, they are never actually the first people to write about a certain topic. He quotes a passage from Kenneth Burke which discusses how writing is like entering a parlor where a heated discussion is going on, and has been going on for quite some time. After listening for a while and hearing other points people are making, you decide to enter in your opinion. The discussion grows more heated, but you must eventually leave. This is how Greene sees writing- as a dialogue. He states that in order to enter a conversation, one must understand the topics that have been discussed, identify a problem, find evidence to persuade people to see their way, think about possible objections or opposing views people may have, and notify why this topic is important. In order to convey a point in the best way, Greene says,the writer must know all sides of the argument. In order to have a convincing argument the writer must identify an issue and the situation, states Greene. When the writer has identified these, they must frame a good question to guide their writing. To Greene, framing is an essential part of the writing and researching process, because it allows the writer to organize their thoughts, clearly state their position on a certain topic, inform the reader about the topic, and allows for conversation to stem from it. Framing is essential for the writer to have the reader focus on what they want them to. In the end, Greene states that inquiry and research are extraordinarily important in ultimately changing the way the world sees things.

In the first discussion question, it asks what role Greene thinks reading plays in the kinds of writing students will be asked to do in college. Greene believes that there are different types of reading one can do in school, and the two are very different, but equally important. There is reading as inquiry versus reading as a search or information.  In order to inquire on a deeper level, you must have the information you need. You always want to convey your writing as educated, thoughtful, and accurate, all which come from these two reading processes. In an academic setting, it is expected that your writing will further a scholarly conversation and not copy or state ideas that have been brought up by other people. This is why reading for information, in order to better inquire about a topic, is critical. The second discussion question asks, “Explain the concept of framing. What metaphor underlies it? Why is the concept important for Greene? What does framing allow a writer to do?” Framing is necessary to Greene because it allows the writer to come up with and organize different, and sometimes opposing, views that will ultimately help their argument. He compares framing to photography when he says, “Framing is a metaphor for describing the lens, or perspective, from which writers present they arguments. Writers want us to the see the world in one way as opposed to another, not unlike the way a photographer manipulates a camera lens  to frame a picture.” Framing is essential for getting your audience to focus on one topic rather than another, and getting them to perceive things the way you do. Greene says that there are four things framing allows you to do. Framing encourages the writer to clearly state their position on the topic they are writing about, makes them explain or define certain ideas regarding their topic so the reader is informed, makes your argument appear clearer and allows for conversation, and creates an opportunity for organizing thoughts.