Chapter 1 Research Blog Entry

In chapter 1 of the Bedford Reader, we are introduced to the various ideas involved in research, and formal writing. The early pages likened writing to that of having a conversation. As said in the book, when one wishes to join a group that is having a conversation, one must listen. After listening and becoming informed, you may then submit your views, and you are building on each others ideas. As with most conversations, we need to be aware of who we are talking to, and the context in which we are talking. In writing we are setting up a genre, in which we have to determine what style we are writing. It may be informative, argumentative, or perhaps persuasive. I believe that having a strong purpose is critical for a formal paper to work.