Scholarly Strategies In The Tempest
Scholarly Strategies: Building an Argument Within the first few pages of an article, professional writers can portray an effective means of building an argument. Among these writers and articles are Arthur Kirsch’s “Virtue, Vice, and Compassion in Montaigne and The Tempest,” Jürgen Pieters’ “The Wonders of Imagination: The Tempest and Its Spectators,” Melissa E. Sanchez’s “Seduction and Service in The Tempest,” and Evelyn B. Tribble’s “The Dark Backward and Abysm of Time: The Tempest and Memory.” These writers’ articles and the strategies each used in creating them are the focus of this report. The strategies discussed are the title, opening statement, emphasis, thesis, and secondary sources. Each of the articles contains a mixture of the aforementioned strategies in various ways.
The first part of every writer’s strategy that the reader encounters is the title. The title of any article should not only suggest the subject of the article, but also attempt to entice the reader. In Arthur Kirsch’s “Virtue, Vice, and Compassion in Montaigne and The Tempest,” not only does he employ a small amount of alliteration, he also implies that he will be discussing aspects of The Tempest in respect of works done by Montaigne and the connections that occur (Kirsch 337). “Seduction and Service in The Tempest,” an …show more content…
article by Melissa E. Sanchez, uses a similar technique to that of Kirsch’s work. Sanchez uses alliteration in her title, and just by her choice of wording, one can deduce that her article will elaborate on women and their role of seduction and the connection of this to service.
As for the work “The Wonders of Imagination: The Tempest and Its Spectators” by Jürgen Pieters, the usage of a broad topic followed by a more focused topic within the title helps the reader understand that, although the article may start off in a very distant topic, the author will get to the true topic. For Evelyn B. Tribble and her article “The Dark Backward and Abysm of Time: The Tempest and Memory,” the tactic of using a quotation directly from the main source is implemented in the title. In this way, the author immediately sets a precedent that her argument is valid due to proof straight from the main source, the book itself. Although the title plays a role in every scholarly article that is written, an even more vital role is that of the opening statement. The first sentence sets the tone for the rest of the article. For most this would be a direct thought that leads to the topic of the article. Kirsch and Sanchez are both epitomes of this strategy. In Sanchez’s article “Seduction and Service in The Tempest,” the opening sentence is as follows: “The Tempest is unique among Shakespeare’s plays in that it lists only one female character in the dramatis personae” (Sanchez 50). This opening sentence provides clearly for the reader that the topic of the article will mainly focus on the role of the lone female character of The Tempest. In juxtaposition to Sanchez and Kirsch are Pieters and Tribble. Both of the latter writers provide information from a secondary source to support their thesis. The use of secondary sources to start an article is typically used mostly by more versed writers. In order to emphasize their ideas, the writers and articles being reviewed use two main methods. For most, not only one method is employed, but rather they use various methods. The main way to emphasize one’s idea is to find other sources that support that idea. Every writer that has been mentioned in this report used at least one secondary source, with the option of more than just one. Pieters’ article even uses a secondary source for an introduction. Some writers implement the use of different scientific research to help build their argument. Such an example occurs in the statement, “Sutton’s model promises an examination of memory and cognition…basis of current scientific research” (Tribble 152). A lesser way to emphasize one’s idea is by manipulating the vernacular that the writer uses. For some articles, the vernacular and structure of the writing emphasizes the argument’s persuasiveness because it makes the reader believe the writer is well versed in the topic. Pieters and Sanchez both also utilize footnotes to emphasize their respective ideas. By adding in the footnotes, the writer is readily verifying the information that he/she is using as supporting sources. To facilitate one’s understanding and search of a thesis statement, two approaches can be used. An indicator for the topic of the thesis is the title and the opening sentence. With the use of these two tools, understanding and finding the thesis becomes a much easier task. In each article that we have reviewed in this report, the thesis comes after the first page. For Kirsch and Pieters, the thesis comes in on the second page. Some thesis statements do not come until much later. Tribble, for example, does not mention a clear thesis until the third page of the article. In longer articles, like that of Sanchez whose thesis is on the fifth page, the thesis may not be stated until much later. Although some thesis statements may be clear and easy to find, just as many can be perplexing and appear to be nonexistent.
Every writer’s strategy determines how the thesis is constructed. Some writers will use only one concise sentence to explain their thesis. Others will have a more broadly detailed thesis statement that may take up to a full length paragraph to have the full idea expressed. For Pieters, the thesis statement summarizes all of the material from the first page, as well as the first half of the second page. Tribble’s thesis is more readily found due to the start of the sentence which says, “In what follows, I propose…Prospero’s ‘mnemonics of power.’” When a writer has a broad thesis, his/her article may not be very informational. However, if writer constructs too detailed of a thesis, there may not be enough information to create a full article. Writers often use secondary sources that are directly pertaining to The Tempest either as for support their thesis, or to have an idea which they can refute to make their thesis stronger.
Tribble and Sanchez both demonstrate the usage of secondary sources that discuss the subject of The Tempest. In each of the articles, the secondary source pertaining to The Tempest is used in different places. Tribble puts the information from the secondary source after the thesis statement, therefore using the information to further support the statements made. For Sanchez, the source is placed prior to the thesis and used as a starter for the
thesis.
Secondary sources that are not related to The Tempest were also widely used by all of the writers mentioned. Whether the nonrelated secondary source is a scientific journal or an article by another scholar, the use of the sources greatly enhance the persuasiveness of the article. In one article the writer specifically states, “Given its…Shipwreck with Spectator contains not a single reference to The Tempest…its starting-point” (Pieters 142). These sources are used to add more support to the thesis without having a similar argument. Tribble’s thesis on memory very strongly benefitted from the use of outside sources. With the use of not only other literary articles, but also scientific articles, Tribble’s thesis had a much stronger basis. Every writer will invariably implement his/her favorite writing techniques within his/her article. Arthur Kirsch, Jürgen Pieters, Melissa E. Sanchez, and Evelyn B. Tribble all use different strategies in their respective articles which leads to varying levels of effective argument building. Through the use of titles, opening statement, emphasis, thesis, and secondary sources, a strong argument can be made within the first few pages of an article. A writer’s capability to deliver a thesis and successfully manipulate writing strategies results in a strong argument.
Works Cited
Kirsch, Arthur. "Virtue, Vice, And Compassion In Montaigne And The Tempest." SEL: Studies In English Literature, 1500-1900 37.2 (1997): 337-340. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
Pieters, Jürgen. "The Wonders Of Imagination: The Tempest And Its Spectators." European Journal Of English Studies 4.2 (2000): 141-144. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
Sanchez, Melissa E. "Seduction And Service In The Tempest." Studies In Philology 105.1 (2008): 50-54. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
Tribble, Evelyn B. "The Dark Backward And Abysm Of Time": "The Tempest" And Memory." College Literature 33.1 (2006): 151-155. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
The first part of every writer’s strategy that the reader encounters is the title. The title of any article should not only suggest the subject of the article, but also attempt to entice the reader. In Arthur Kirsch’s “Virtue, Vice, and Compassion in Montaigne and The Tempest,” not only does he employ a small amount of alliteration, he also implies that he will be discussing aspects of The Tempest in respect of works done by Montaigne and the connections that occur (Kirsch 337). “Seduction and Service in The Tempest,” an …show more content…
article by Melissa E. Sanchez, uses a similar technique to that of Kirsch’s work. Sanchez uses alliteration in her title, and just by her choice of wording, one can deduce that her article will elaborate on women and their role of seduction and the connection of this to service.
As for the work “The Wonders of Imagination: The Tempest and Its Spectators” by Jürgen Pieters, the usage of a broad topic followed by a more focused topic within the title helps the reader understand that, although the article may start off in a very distant topic, the author will get to the true topic. For Evelyn B. Tribble and her article “The Dark Backward and Abysm of Time: The Tempest and Memory,” the tactic of using a quotation directly from the main source is implemented in the title. In this way, the author immediately sets a precedent that her argument is valid due to proof straight from the main source, the book itself. Although the title plays a role in every scholarly article that is written, an even more vital role is that of the opening statement. The first sentence sets the tone for the rest of the article. For most this would be a direct thought that leads to the topic of the article. Kirsch and Sanchez are both epitomes of this strategy. In Sanchez’s article “Seduction and Service in The Tempest,” the opening sentence is as follows: “The Tempest is unique among Shakespeare’s plays in that it lists only one female character in the dramatis personae” (Sanchez 50). This opening sentence provides clearly for the reader that the topic of the article will mainly focus on the role of the lone female character of The Tempest. In juxtaposition to Sanchez and Kirsch are Pieters and Tribble. Both of the latter writers provide information from a secondary source to support their thesis. The use of secondary sources to start an article is typically used mostly by more versed writers. In order to emphasize their ideas, the writers and articles being reviewed use two main methods. For most, not only one method is employed, but rather they use various methods. The main way to emphasize one’s idea is to find other sources that support that idea. Every writer that has been mentioned in this report used at least one secondary source, with the option of more than just one. Pieters’ article even uses a secondary source for an introduction. Some writers implement the use of different scientific research to help build their argument. Such an example occurs in the statement, “Sutton’s model promises an examination of memory and cognition…basis of current scientific research” (Tribble 152). A lesser way to emphasize one’s idea is by manipulating the vernacular that the writer uses. For some articles, the vernacular and structure of the writing emphasizes the argument’s persuasiveness because it makes the reader believe the writer is well versed in the topic. Pieters and Sanchez both also utilize footnotes to emphasize their respective ideas. By adding in the footnotes, the writer is readily verifying the information that he/she is using as supporting sources. To facilitate one’s understanding and search of a thesis statement, two approaches can be used. An indicator for the topic of the thesis is the title and the opening sentence. With the use of these two tools, understanding and finding the thesis becomes a much easier task. In each article that we have reviewed in this report, the thesis comes after the first page. For Kirsch and Pieters, the thesis comes in on the second page. Some thesis statements do not come until much later. Tribble, for example, does not mention a clear thesis until the third page of the article. In longer articles, like that of Sanchez whose thesis is on the fifth page, the thesis may not be stated until much later. Although some thesis statements may be clear and easy to find, just as many can be perplexing and appear to be nonexistent.
Every writer’s strategy determines how the thesis is constructed. Some writers will use only one concise sentence to explain their thesis. Others will have a more broadly detailed thesis statement that may take up to a full length paragraph to have the full idea expressed. For Pieters, the thesis statement summarizes all of the material from the first page, as well as the first half of the second page. Tribble’s thesis is more readily found due to the start of the sentence which says, “In what follows, I propose…Prospero’s ‘mnemonics of power.’” When a writer has a broad thesis, his/her article may not be very informational. However, if writer constructs too detailed of a thesis, there may not be enough information to create a full article. Writers often use secondary sources that are directly pertaining to The Tempest either as for support their thesis, or to have an idea which they can refute to make their thesis stronger.
Tribble and Sanchez both demonstrate the usage of secondary sources that discuss the subject of The Tempest. In each of the articles, the secondary source pertaining to The Tempest is used in different places. Tribble puts the information from the secondary source after the thesis statement, therefore using the information to further support the statements made. For Sanchez, the source is placed prior to the thesis and used as a starter for the
thesis.
Secondary sources that are not related to The Tempest were also widely used by all of the writers mentioned. Whether the nonrelated secondary source is a scientific journal or an article by another scholar, the use of the sources greatly enhance the persuasiveness of the article. In one article the writer specifically states, “Given its…Shipwreck with Spectator contains not a single reference to The Tempest…its starting-point” (Pieters 142). These sources are used to add more support to the thesis without having a similar argument. Tribble’s thesis on memory very strongly benefitted from the use of outside sources. With the use of not only other literary articles, but also scientific articles, Tribble’s thesis had a much stronger basis. Every writer will invariably implement his/her favorite writing techniques within his/her article. Arthur Kirsch, Jürgen Pieters, Melissa E. Sanchez, and Evelyn B. Tribble all use different strategies in their respective articles which leads to varying levels of effective argument building. Through the use of titles, opening statement, emphasis, thesis, and secondary sources, a strong argument can be made within the first few pages of an article. A writer’s capability to deliver a thesis and successfully manipulate writing strategies results in a strong argument.
Works Cited
Kirsch, Arthur. "Virtue, Vice, And Compassion In Montaigne And The Tempest." SEL: Studies In English Literature, 1500-1900 37.2 (1997): 337-340. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
Pieters, Jürgen. "The Wonders Of Imagination: The Tempest And Its Spectators." European Journal Of English Studies 4.2 (2000): 141-144. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
Sanchez, Melissa E. "Seduction And Service In The Tempest." Studies In Philology 105.1 (2008): 50-54. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.
Tribble, Evelyn B. "The Dark Backward And Abysm Of Time": "The Tempest" And Memory." College Literature 33.1 (2006): 151-155. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Sept. 2013.