Post #2

       Merriam Webster defines research as a ": studious inquiry or examination; especially: investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws." Research is one of the most debated topics when it comes to writing papers, or even publishing a blog post such as this. When doing research, it is necessary to know how to read a source, and additionally how to tell if a source is legitimate; from this point one may apply the information learned. In the readings from this week reading, research, and sources are all discussed specifically referring to the importance of such ideas when writing a paper.
       According to Rosenberg, when one is reading it should be productive, interesting and enjoyable. She argues, when one is reading you are participating in a conversation. I believe this is exceptionally true, primarily because reading allows for one to examine how specific situations or problems have been approached in the past; from here one may determine their own course of action. When all of the sources have been read, it is necessary, in my opinion, to discuss the readings with other individuals. If one is to rhetorically reading, they will be able to better understand the context, and additionally develop insight of their own as to how text works. I believe as readers, it is our job to examine readings from a more personal standpoint; from this point we may ask questions. As suggested by Rosenberg, an example would be "Why is my professor asking me to read this piece?"
        If one is to read rhetorically, they will eventually reach a point in which research may be necessary. The first main step, according to Praxis, is to examine sources based on information you already know. For example, if I was to search cats, I could look for articles from somewhere such as The New York Times, or Time Magazine. These sources would allow for me to obtain a general idea of what I should be looking for in other sources. It is important to note here, one should not rely solely on Wikipedia or other unreliable internet sources; this ties into the ideas from last weeks readings. After reading, one should evaluate the sources and attempt to break them down into words they understand; in doing so they will be able to avoid plagiarism. After all ideas have been researched, it is exceptionally important for a bibliography to be made in order to give credit where it is deserved leading into the idea of sources.
       Stedman examined the ways in which people use sources, more specifically the annoying way in which they do so. One of his overarching ideas was that "the fundamental ideas of rhetoric is that speakers/writers/composers shape what they say/write/create based on what they want it to do, where they are publishing it, and what they know about their audience/readers." This idea is often times found to be true no matter the style of paper being written. I believe individuals may change the sources they use, and additionally the way in which they present the paper depending on who they are trying to address or even persuade. There is, however, no right or wrong way necessarily to use the ideas these individuals present in their papers.
       I feel as though the ideas presented in this weeks readings are exceptionally important for anybody, in other words they are not directed towards a specific group of individuals. I believe, as stated in Rosenberg's article that it is exceptionally important to read numerous ideas on one specific topic. In doing so, one will be able to obtain different perspectives all of which will (most likely) focus on different main points. From this point, asking questions will help to further clarify any foggy ideas. On Praxis's idea of research I, as previously stated, believe individuals should refrain from using Wikipedia as as source at all; some may argue it could be used as an initial source to gain ideas from. Finally, Stedman, I feel as though if individuals are to write a paper it should have a specific audience, however there is no right or wrong way to address said group. The sources in this case do matter and should be used accordingly.