Writing More About LessAttaining depth

Analyzing Evidence in Depth: “10 on 1”

 How do you move from (a) making details speak and (b) explaining how evidence confirms and qualifies the claim to composing a paper?

Phrased as a general rule 10 on 1 holds that it is better to make ten observations or points about a single representative issue or example than to make the same basic point about ten related issues or examples (Writing Analytically, p. 207).

10 on 1

(conclusion, argument, main point, anecdote, etc.)

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Point 4

Point 5

Point 6

Point 7

Point 8

Point 9

Point 10

Representative Example:

Audience Interest The more interesting claims you can make

about your evidence and how it relates to your thesis, the more interesting your paper will be.

The number “10” does not always have to be reached in drawing conclusions about your example; “you should draw out as much meaning as possible from your best examples” (Writing Analytically, p. 211).

Goals for 10 on 1 to locate the range of possible meanings your evidence

suggests to zoom in on specific variations within the general pattern of

data found to make you less inclined to cling to your first claim

inflexibly open the way for you to discover a way of representing

more fully the complexity of your subject to slow down the rush to generalization

ensure that when you arrive at a working thesis, it will be more specific and better able to account for your evidence.

Outcomes for 10 on 1 Pushes you to start thinking more critically

about your topic Allows you to draw out the implications lying

at the heart of your paper Impels your mind to create as many new and

interesting claims as it can

Applying 10 on 1 Find 10 examples that share a trait (or as

many examples, points, issues as you can). Focus on one of these for in-depth analysis. Proceeding in this way will guarantee that

your example is representative. In doing 10 on 1 you will take one part of the whole, put it under a microscope, and then generalize about the whole on the basis of your

analysis.

Writing DevelopmentThe Four Stages

Writing Development: Stage 1 Dualism:

typical of college freshmen dualists believe in a fixed or single truth that is

available to all when asked to choose between two or more

alternatives, likely to do so based on the belief that a particular position is right or wrong

do not admit uncertainty and believe that authorities (teachers, texts, etc.) have the answers(From the Instructor's Manual for Writing and Reading Arguments: A Rhetoric and Reader, by Richard P. Batteiger)

Writing Development: Stage 2 Multiplicity: recognize that multiple views

can be found impossible to be certain which are right because no way (writer believes) to compare or

evaluate alternatives; all are equally valid

(From the Instructor's Manual for Writing and Reading Arguments: A Rhetoric and Reader, by Richard P. Batteiger)

Writing Development: Stage 3 Relativism:

recognize that most questions and issues are complex and uncertain

compare and evaluate competing positions may not know how to choose among equally

plausible and convincing alternatives

(From the Instructor's Manual for Writing and Reading Arguments: A Rhetoric and Reader, by Richard P. Batteiger)

Writing Development: Stage 4 Commitment to Relativism:

use values to choose among available alternatives

(From the Instructor's Manual for Writing and Reading Arguments: A Rhetoric and Reader, by Richard P. Batteiger)

Have developed CT Traits: Humility Courage Empathy Integrity Perseverance Faith in reason Fair mindedness

(From Gerald M. Nosich, Learning to Think Thins Through , 2009)