Questions...Questions...Questions!

A while ago we had to examine a scholarly journal that pertained to our specific major and I was hesitant because all the examples used in class were science related. It seemed as if it would be easier for a science major to find one than for me, considering I am a Finance major. However I found one, and it was one that I actually enjoyed exploring.

The series of journals are observations, studies, analyses of different aspects that contribute to the economy and financial planning. The author seems knowledgeable due to the terms and statistics used, and analyses given. The point of the articles is to inform and challenge its readers to think outside their normal box. The readers would be considered anyone who deals with financial planning whether as a profession or personally.

According to Linton et al.’s Framework is broken down into three sections:

~Conventions of Structures

~Conventions of Reference

~Conventions of Language

For Structures, each article varied however in general they were written to present different prominent topic. For reference, several articles used statistics and quotes from respected people in their field. I think this gave the journal credibility. It seemed to be that the author was building off other people’s findings to the extent they analyzed it and left enough of the topic open for us to analyze and derive our own conclusions. When it comes to language, some articles were directed towards certain age groups, or genders, however it wasn’t exclusively for them. The language and tone used was used to convince you to think more about it.

According to Swales Genre Model there are three moves related to academic writing. Move 1, the financial planning journal reviewed items of previous research, like statistics. This information supported the author’s goal of presenting enough information to allow its readers to be able to make an informed conclusion for themselves. Move 2; the journal hit the step of question raising. In numerous articles it asked questions to get us to think before and after reading the article. I found that useful because I am the type of person who loves to think and analyze different situations. I am defiantly and observing type of person. Finally Move 3, the journal hit on the step of outlining purposes. For all of them the purpose was to allow us to come to our own conclusions and form questions ourselves.

Being someone who fits into the intended audience I believe epistemology allowed us to see and understand the world we are in and how we are in the world. By the articles asking questions, I believe it really allowed the audience to develop a better understanding of those things. Whenever you ask questions you can develop discussion and discussions lead to new ideas and ways of looking at things.

Are You Proactive?

Our economy has slowed down in the past year. We are in a recession. We are always hearing people complaining about it and how things are so hard. I have been one of those people. Jobs are being loss or pay is being cut, and while this is happening prices are going down with it, some are increasing. Not a fun thing.

This article I read was called ' Recession Creates Proactive Consumers.' It caught my attention because the way I have been viewing the recession is it has brought stress amongst a numerous amount of people. After really reading it, studies conducted have shown the opposite. It said that people are taking a more proactive approach on retirement, debt management, and personal finances. It has also showed that people are less stressed financially and are proactive in improving their situation.

The stress point was a shocker for me. I would have never thought. Have you noticed a higher number of people stressing because of the recession? What about people being more hands on when it comes to planning? I know I have seen people more hands on. For example my parents have sat down more and discussed retirement plans and their personal finances.

This article has made me think when we get out of the recession will people's attitudes change or will it be the same? I guess only time will tell.