A strong reader and writer needs to first know how to “process a deeply” and rhetorically and then write rhetorically. “Purpose in reading affects processing and monitoring of comprehension”. Based on Margaret Kantz’s “Teaching Students to Use Textual Sources Persuasively,” I realize the truth behind how easy it is to “use the structure and purpose of a source as the basis for one’s paper than it is to create a structure or an original purpose.” I know that I have done the same thing as the example of the student Shirley in the text. I used to basically summarize sources in my essays and not give much thought to how the so-called facts where being presented. In the past my papers would be average to say the least but with the knowledge of how to determine what rhetorical strategies are being used in text or film I am confident that I can improve arguments instead of accepting those that the author tries to press upon me.

In order to create a strong sustained research argument in Kantz’s opinion I need to do what Alice did and “formally select and evaluate material and to use it as proof in an original argument”. That would require me to come up with my own original argument and therefore engage my audience further. Also, it would be beneficial to point out any discrepancies in different sources to persuade my readers or “Decoders” to accept my views. Using strategic source placement will help me in my efforts by placing a certain part of a quote in a specific section of my argument, not to diminish the source’s credibility in any way but to make the best use of it.

Kantz distinguishes between opinions and facts which ironically she explains that they are the same kind of claims. She also states that the only essentials difference between the two is how they are received by the audience. This is very important because the way someone shapes either fact or opinion with shape how the audience perceives it. For instance a scientist can claim that something is fact with data used to back it up but other people, especially other scientists may not believe his or her claims by the way he has styled his argument or just because the others don’t want to accept it as fact. So it is possible to manipulate a fact into an opinion vice versa. This is a great technique to use when constructing an argument.

In Kantz’s anecdote she describes how rhetoric and rhetorical analysis comes into play in reading and writing as “The rhetorical reading strategy, by contrast, requires writers to discover what is worth writing about and to decide how to say it as or after they read their sources. The strategy requires writers to change their content goals and to adjust their writing plans as their understanding of the topic develops. It requires writers, in Flower’s term, to “construct” their purposes for writing as well as the content for their paper”.

I think Kantz wants us as students to realize that I already know how to create arguments but must fine tune that knowledge and be able to direct it into writing a robust research paper. She would like to see us create this kind of ethos in our minds where we establish ourselves as the authoritative factor in our papers, not those of the sources we are using to write about.