Learning Outcome #2

In our second paper about CRISPR technology, I feel I learned to use quotes and evidence from sources in a way that improved the quality of my argument and paper as a whole. One thing that really helped me pick the right quotes was making annotations of the articles by Balch and Lama. By choosing quotes that I thought were interesting or important, I could then write notes with my thoughts on the quote, and how I could possibly integrate it into my essay. I feel that in this TRIAC from my final draft of Project 2, I used a quote that went well with my claim sentence and I was able to explain afterwards how it related back to my thesis:

Scientific advancements will continue to permeate our society, and they should not be completely halted. However, since scientists cannot be stopped from making advancements in technology there should be restrictions set in place to ensure the safety of humanity. The Dalai Lama affirms that “The issue is no longer whether we should or should not acquire knowledge and explore its technological potentials. Rather, the issue is how to use this new knowledge and power in the more expedient and ethically responsible manner” (64). Ethical rules and regulations should be decided on by the public to ensure that scientists and their technology do not expose the public to the potential risks of CRISPR technology. Deciding what is and isn’t acceptable can prevent harmful developments in gene-editing technology that could ruin society rather than enhance it.

Also, while the analysis fell flat in my Barclay’s, my use of quotes to support my claim was done well. I think that annotating the articles and reading them over and over while thinking about the direction I wanted my paper to go in was helpful, as well as making TRIACS including the quotes and relating them back to my claim sentence and thesis. I think the structure of TRIACS really helped me think about my use of quotes which is something I hadn’t really thought of before. I would normally just insert quotes wherever I saw fit, and while that would work sometimes I think that having a specific structure in place is helpful for leading up to and explaining the quote you’re using.