Online Article: Entering the Conversation Rhetorical Self-Reflection

In my article I found it challenging to incorporate my own perspective because I knew very little on the subject. I tried to find a balance between incorporating summarization and my own opinions, because I was discussing a field I had little prior experience researching. I started and finished the article discussing how crucial space exploration is to fund, and tried to evoke emotion by painting a picture of what our planet could look like in the next few decades. I also tried a call to action, and encouraged my audience to pay attention to their impact on the planet and support research oriented organizations such as NASA. My logic was that by sending an increase of funds towards groups such as these, researchers would be able to look for viable solutions to save our planet or look elsewhere in worst case scenarios. Other than that, I felt there was little perspective I could add to a topic I knew little about, so my insight was limited to reminders about how important this exploration was or how surreal it was that scientists have designs such as “space elevators” in developmental stages. I summarized and gave credit to each article I researched, and split my paragraphs up by topic. While giving information, I tried to maintain an inquisitive tone that was hopeful but emphasized caution at the same time. I wanted to get readers excited by what they were seeing, as concepts like 3D printed “space gyms” are intriguing, but warned against harming our planet any further so ideas like these ever have to become reality.