Tuesday 27 September 2011
Harris Heuristic Chapter 2 What is Harris’ Project
• What is Harris’ Project?” In your own words, what “set of ideas and questions” does he “throw forward” (17). You might try answering the questions he provides on page 19 about the “Aims,” “Methods” and “Materials” he uses. For example, who does Harris go to for examples and evidence? How is he connecting one claim to the next in this chapter? What issues or problems is he exploring? • What ‘Keywords and Phrases’ stand out to you as a writer in Harris’ chapter? Remember Harris advice here that you should choose what to quote in order to “show what your perspective on it makes visible” (20). It should be more that what seemed important in some neutral way. So summarize, yes, but also highlight your perspective through the use of some of his key words or phrases. • What are the “Uses and Limits” of Harris’ approach in the chapter for you as a writer? Try to think through his advice and perspectives with both “generosity and skepticism” (27) as Harris suggests. Are there gaps in the ideas he is suggesting? Are there ways that even pieces that seem unhelpful might open up your initial thinking about using texts in research writing?
