My First Blog

Hello world, my name is Matt Gordon, and this is my first ever blog. I am originally from Highland Park, Illinois, but am now situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a sophomore at the University of Michigan. 

I am beginning this blog for my English class, English 225, a class focusing on academic argumentation. This blog stems from my teacher's desire for her students (myself included) to practice written argument in a better forum than bland weekly journals. Writing this blog for technically the whole world to view, as opposed to more safe, private journal entries creates slightly more pressure, but hopefully will also be an interesting challenge. I have had some experience with public writing before, as I wrote for the sports section of my high school newspaper, eventually becoming the sports editor my senior year. However, this blog is very different than writing a monthly column, or catching up with Highland Park's girls water polo team, because I will hopefully be focusing on more interesting topics. 

My initial goal for my audience is obviously my teacher, class, and family, but hopefully I can get my friends and even some people that I do not know personally to subscribe to my blog. The more feedback I receive on each blog, the more I can improve my writing, likely leading to one of the greater blogs in internet history. 

Now, the big question, what exactly is the definition of argument. While argument can be literally defined by a dictionary, I think that the word argument has the ability to be very ambiguous. Argument to one person may be a fight or fallout over a disagreement. Others may see argument as a necessary means to survival, something to help eliminate misunderstandings or disputes, a means by which two separate sides of a debate can come together with their own information and opinions in an attempt to persuade. I am a fan of the latter definition, and think argument (in moderation of course) can be a wonderful thing. In my time, I have had thousands of arguments, usually with friends and family, about one main topic: sports. 

Sports, like politics, are a great place for arguments, as evidenced by the numerous sports talk shows in which "competitive banter," or basic argument, take place. The reason that sports are such a great place to host argument is that the sports field, like the political dais, has so much meaning to such a great variety of people. With that variety comes diversity of opinion. This is necessary for any type of argument, two or more people with a differing opinion on any topic of value to those people. When these circumstances are met, the politician within comes out, along with many different facts to support every different side to the debate.

I think that argument can bring out the best and worst in every different individual. It allows for the opportunity to think critically and display knowledge of a subject, but also gives each individual an excuse to bring out his or her inner 5 year-old. 

Ok, that is enough for my first blog. I will blog again soon, (I love how blog can be used as a noun and a verb at the same time), but until then, Go Cubs!