Running with ideas (level 3) …because arguments matter.

Everything is connected All ideas can link to all ideas. Some connections are harder to make, but if you think hard enough, you can always link one thing to another. Sometimes you may need to look at it from different angles, which will allow you to make connections more creatively. This would count as PERCEPTIVE thinking.

Running with Ideas This technique is simply another way of ‘developing’ your point in a LOGICAL manner. A leads to B, which leads to C, which affects D and E in the following manners. Two KEY things to remember when running with ideas: 1) You are always running towards ‘the bigger picture’ (what is significant – the real ‘who cares?’ ‘why does this matter?’ ‘so what?’) 2) You need to keep your argument SPECIFIC (otherwise it becomes too wishy-washy, vague, airy a.k.a. bullshit)

Running with Ideas – an example “Marginalisation shapes the futures of people who are oppressed.” (this could be a connection, for example) A PLAN (A MAP): Leads to trauma – leads to isolation from society – leads to depression – leads to identity issues. With this plan in mind, we have a MAP with a course. We’re going to run this course (getting more and more specific) A - achieved M - convincing E - perceptive

Running with Ideas – Achieved Both texts show that marginalisation shapes the futures of people who are oppressed. This marginalisation will therefore lead to trauma. Trauma makes people feel isolated from society, and some people, when they become isolated, end up in bouts of depression. Sufferers of depression know too well that identity issues can arise, and so really, what both texts are showing us is that marginalisation creates problems with identities. Next steps: Be more SPECIFIC and critical (by asking “so what?” “who cares?” and “why does this matter?”)

Running with Ideas – Merit Both texts show that marginalisation shapes the futures of people who are oppressed. Once you find yourself being marginalised, the marginalisation controls your decisions. If this is severe, it will lead to trauma. The reason why this matters is because those who suffer trauma are often isolated from society. They become withdrawn and convinced of their worthlessness, which can lead to depression. It is probably because of different forms of marginalisation that depression rates are so high in the world. Marginalisation therefore can lead to a breakdown in identity. Next steps: Be even more SPECIFIC and critical, and shape your sentences so that they are ‘worthwhile.’

Running with Ideas - Excellence Both texts show that marginalisation shapes the futures of people who are oppressed. This is likely because of the “internalisation” of the idea that they are oppressed, as Paulo Freire would put it. The marginalised become convinced of their worthlessness, which is bound to traumatise and isolate them from society. Indeed, those who operate on the margins of society have different perceptions of the world. For example, some may feel victimised by their oppression and as a result, develop withdrawn personalities and depression. Perhaps the authors of my two texts wanted the audience to appreciate how marginalisation can fracture people’s sense of identity, to the point that they become unrecognisable. Maybe the texts are thus teaching us to pay closer attention to the marginalised, so that we can develop a heightened sense of empathy for them, for their stories, and for their perspectives.

Running with Ideas – Connections For 3.7 Connections, you ‘run’ with ideas when you are going beyond the text. So in the structure: Topic Sentence which contains connection Text 1 Text 2 Discussion  THIS is where you ‘run’ with your idea.

Running with Ideas – Writing For 3.4 Writing Portfolio, 3.5 Seminar, 3.8 Critical Literacy, 3.1 Response to Written Text, 3.2 Response to Visual Text, you ‘run’ with ideas AFTER you have made your initial point and given evidence (so in the Y bit in SEXY) This skill is useful for ALL subjects, and many kinds of writing, but it is particularly useful in the above standards for English 301. Use this opportunity (3.7 Connections) to practice it.

Running with Ideas – ur turn Use yesterday’s brainstorm (check your phone or your friend’s phone, or your book) and ‘run’ with ideas. Start here (pretend this is a connection between texts, and you are at the ‘discussion’ bit)” “Both texts suggest that marginalisation is difficult to escape from.” MAP out your plan first, then develop sentences (first to Achieved, then to Merit, then to Excellence level)