Connor Johnson
English 102
Christy Vance

Argument Reading Response
Bruce Ballenger’s writing in the Curious Researcher was very helpful in learning about what an argument paper actually is. It answered a couple questions I had about the process of writing an argument paper and also what to include and exclude in my argument. I actually wasn’t sure what I was going to write my paper on before reading this, but after interpreting and analyzing his advice, I managed to choose an interesting topic. The graphs showing the process in writing an organized and well balanced paper were helpful and illustrated how to initially start to research your topic, and the section on warrants and backing will hopefully help add depth to my paper. Currently, I have not chosen a side to my paper, which is whether religion is needed in today’s society. Obviously I will need to research quite a bit about this topic before choosing a side, because I really wouldn’t like to write several pages praising one group that I don’t even believe in. The different sides of my religion paper have very strong viewpoints and beliefs about the necessity of religion, so this will make it easier in realizing what side to pick.
Although this writing was a little long with some parts that seemed irrelevant to the process of writing an argument paper, there was some very constructive advice. I am looking forward to starting my paper, and I am hoping that reading Ballenger’s essay will make this whole process go by much smoother and efficient.