To count as acceptable "knowledge," new information is introduced via a traditional composition formation that relies heavily on evidence and proof.
Authors present the purpose of their work in a thesis statement that acts to summarize and clearly state an argument. The argument must, then, be supported by evidence, which is direct quotation from literature or other documents from within the genre. Quotations are then expounded upon and used to further illustrate the author's purpose. Authors also use rhetorical devices to make their argument more persuasive. A writer may use ethos by mentioning previous publications and fitting a new argument into into previous texts and the prevailing theories of others (this also speaks to “context.”) Not only does this establish him/her as a player in the ongoing conversation about literature, but it also places the author amongst the company of other "experts." An author uses logos by creating an immaculately well laid out argument with subheadings to show the linear movement. An author may also use pathos, like one critical theorist does as she uses the relationship of humans to their pets, specifically dogs, to work as an example of her theory and to appeal to the audience’s personal values, beliefs and experiences (Haraway, 2-65). The sources that an author uses must conform to what is accepted as a reliable source, which is conventionally recognized as something that has been peer-reviewed and published by an academic publishing outfit. The "Works Cited" page becomes a document of liability and proof, with each entry helping to give credibility to the new publication. All written works in Literature studies follow the Modern Language Association or MLA format, which is a set style of formatting papers from the Title page to the Works Cited page. MLA Format can be found at The Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab by clicking here. |
WHAT COUNTS AS KNOWLEDGE? |