The approach here is, “I know what you’re thinking, but hang in there, and you’ll see where I’m coming from.”. Try to anticipate what objections your readers might have to your argument, and try to understand why they might object. The violation of a nation’s territorial integrity, its safety and well-being, cannot be tolerated.’ Let’s look at each of these concerns in turn.”. If you consistently come from your side of the issue, you may miss articles by some of the stronger opponents. During the revision process, you’ll need to look for redundancy of information in claim and refutation paragraphs and check the structure for flow. While it is true that keeping schools open throughout the year may cost more, the higher costs could be subsidized by making the buildings available for community rental to offset those costs. Remember, skeptical readers need to be convinced that your position is more reasonable than their own, and so your refutation will need to be both accurate and thorough. An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue. The cue words, “while it is true” lets the reader know the writer is conceding, but will refute this idea. Making a strong argument includes answering any of the potential objections that may form in a reader’s mind. Coming across as disrespectful or failing to take the opposition seriously is a sure way to make your own argument seem weak. You’ll also notice that the publication and date is included, so a reader can quickly and easily find the original source material. Examples of Argumentative Language Below are examples of signposts that are used in argumentative essays. In truth, the straw man is a well-known tactic, and readers can detect it quite easily. What Is an Argumentative Essay? Or you can quote a politician or another public figure who has recently brought up the issue (keeping in mind that this latter option dates your paper), as long as you do it respectfully. The writer supports his position with facts, logical reasoning and examples. Don't waste time. A straw-man argument can make a point overly simplistic, describe an incomplete concept or take a point out of context. Just as a criminal trial is ostensibly about finding out the truth of what happened during the crime, consider that the aim of your paper is to get to the truth of the issue you’re addressing. Who are they? As you’re researching, spend some time putting in search terms as if you were arguing for the opposition. There are many valid ways to introduce an opposing view, but do try to present it in a neutral manner before you shoot it down. But this actually weakens the writer’s argument. Argumentative essay
By Megan Allman
2. Follow WRITING CENTER UNDERGROUND on WordPress.com, More Students Willing to Cheat (NY Times 9/2012). In order to write an effective persuasive essay, you need to choose a topic you feel strongly about, take a stand, understand opposing viewpoints and present your argument in a convincing, organized manner. Jul 25, opposing viewpoint. Introducing opposing viewpoints is necessary, but do not stop there. Don’t dismiss your opposition from the outset with language like this: “John Smith naively argues…” Instead, you could say, “John Smith contends,” and then summarize John Smith’s view. You’ll want to present counterarguments to your thesis in ways that respect those who disagree. Some writers make the mistake of introducing a weak or silly opposition to make it easier to refute. It's possible that you, too, are so dashing and your argume… In reality, students can find the time to study if they learn time-management skills.”, “Students face many time constraints: between work and family obligations, social responsibilities, sports, clubs, and the expectations of professors, who all think their class should be the top priority, students can have trouble finding time to study for all of their tests. Just as you built your own argument, to refute opposing views, you’ll need to include evidence from research studies, statistics, and quoted opinions from experts. In the process, you’ll win support from both sides of the argument for your reasonable approach. How do they interpret that evidence? No matter how you decide to incorporate the counterargument into your essay, be sure you do so with objectivity, maintaining a formal and scholarly tone. Paper Topics and Opposing Viewpoints. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Examples of neutral words are “contends,” “argues,” “suggests,” “admits,” ” claims,” and “believes.”. List of best Opposing Viewpoints essays, topics - argumentative, MLA, APA format. The ability to refute opposition in an argument essay is a key element in a successful essay. While all of the above examples use a serious and respectful tone to introduce counterarguments, there is another option that can be effective, depending on your audience and your intentions. The Process of Argumentative Essay Writing. An argument must, by definition, take a stance on an issue and provide evidence for a particular conclusion. Some writers make the mistake of introducing a weak or silly opposition to make it easier to refute. You will want to resist the temptation to skew the comment’s meaning or to editorialize! You’ll just need to use this technique with caution and care. You’ve introduced two valid viewpoints. Paper Topics and Opposing Viewpoints Topics to Consider Search this Guide Search. For example, in a popular (as opposed to academic or professional) essay advocating for strictly enforced leash laws in cities, you might write something like this: “While it may seem like an act of pet-friendly beneficence and trust to allow your mutt to roam free in the streets, exercising his right to sniff and bite whomever he pleases, unrestrained animals in public places ultimately pose a potential threat to the safety of pedestrians.”. Finding Ideas to Write About. You’ve presented his words respectfully, however, allowing them to speak for themselves. An advantage of using quotations is that you are allowing the opposition to speak for itself. Considerations when writing… “Of course, there is a point to be made that nuclear energy creates less pollution than using coal or oil.”. Just like any piece of evidence you include, you should make sure to include a transition from your previous point, introduce the opposing/alternative viewpoint, present the opposing/alternative viewpoint (which may be a quote, fact, statistic, paraphrase, or summary of someone else's argument), and then respond to it. In the revision stage, you’ll want to look at the balance of the paper. That includes researching to find the thought leaders on the opposing side of your topic, presenting their arguments in an honest light, and then moving into respectful refutation. As you compose an argument essay, you must anticipate your audience’s objections. As you look over a list of topics, find one that really piques your interest, as you'll be more successful if you're passionate about your topic. How do they interpret that evidence? In argumentative essays, writers accomplish this by writing: A clear, persuasive thesis statement in the introduction paragraph Body paragraphs that use evidence and explanations to support the thesis statement A paragraph addressing opposing positions on the topic—when appropriate So, in your writing, anticipate opposing viewpoints. Beginning your search can be as simple as putting the question into a search engine: “Why would anyone oppose hate-crime legislation?”. By conceding to their point, or agreeing that the opposition has a strong argument, you are positioning yourself as respectful and are more likely to gain the audience’s trust. Required fields are marked *. The opposing point of view is included just to show the writer is objective with his judgments, and he respects all existing arguments. The burden of proof is on you, as the author of the argument. We’ll examine both phases here. The following skills are evaluated when grading an argumentative essay: A conditional statement (if x, then y) gives the reader’s objections a voice in the context of the writer’s argument, “If all people suddenly became vegan in order to save the planet, would that create an overpopulation of livestock that would then do even more damage to the planet?”. Objection! You may have heard talk-radio hosts and opinion columnists employ this strategy. Make sure your claims and your refutations are not repetitive. Now that you’ve built a strong foundation of credibility by presenting the likely objections and reasoned opposition to your argument (respectfully, of course! For example: “Raymond Rodriguez, arguing in ‘The Social Contract’ (Summer, 1992) for closing the Mexican border to immigration, suggests that ‘Regulating immigration is as important as enacting agreements to control trade and pollution of the environment—and for many of the same reasons. What evidence do they look at? For example, a person who has grown up hunting in a community that has never experienced gun violence might have a very different perspective on gun control than someone whose child was the victim of a shooting. What life experiences might lead them to disagree with your point of view? Facebook. It may be in the form of a question or statement. It is important to clearly, completely, and respectfully state the opposing view. This type of essay calls for extensive research of literature and, at times, empirical research through surveys and interviews. Often, the opposition has a very valid disagreement against your position, so valid that it might cause you to rethink your position. If you summarize opposing views without attaching them to actual writers, it may appear as though you haven’t done your research. Argument essay topics can be found everywhere. As you’re researching, then, take the debater’s approach to gathering information so you’ll be very well-informed about the opposing views. Here, you acknowledge each objection as it’s likely to arise in the reader’s mind. Outline the process for refuting an argument. The main purpose of an argumentative essay is to inform rather than convince – that’s why this type of paper should not be confused with a persuasive essay. Your reader can’t scoff that you’re offering an inaccurate summary of the argument, because you are using the opposing expert’s words. “While job creation programs may indeed increase the nation’s short-term financial burden, the strategy of putting people back to work has consistently been proven to create a stronger economic and social fabric in the long run.” Concluding statements are not simply restatements of the claim but actual comparisons of the two approaches with a conclusion as to why one argument is superior. Gather quotes summarizing their viewpoints and then go digging to find statistics and other research that both back and counter their claims. It’s presented reasonably and respectfully. 1. Follow our tips and make you argumentative essay writing process a lot easier! Get a verified writer to help you with Opposing Viewpoints Essay. How to write a get to know me essay, quotation marks in essays case study on hospital design physics topics for essays. Another way to present a counterargument is to introduce it in your own words in the form of an example. The counter-argument paragraph presents the opposing arguments. Take note of their rationale and use of evidence. Present the view accurately and fairly, and possibly concede that there is reason or merit to this perspective. The first step for creating a strong opposition section is to thoroughly understand your audience. Compare the following examples: “Students claim that they cheat on tests because they are too busy to study. In essence, this is you’re trying to truly represent an opposing view. Clearly, in the second example, the writer has considered this issue from the students’ perspective, and has attempted to find a solution that takes their concerns into account. ), you can show your readers the flaws in these counterarguments. It’s good for us to laugh at ourselves, and when we do so, we can relax our defenses and open up to the opposing argument. Put yourself in the other side’s shoes. Find sources for topics and topics that are controversial. “All this talk about tolerance and the possibility of rehabilitation is nice in theory, but what if it was your own parent or child who was killed? Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Researchers at Chimi-Changa Education Labs have done extensive studies focusing on the effectiveness of year-round schools, and their conclusions show an increase in learning in all areas of study. If the opposition states that the research in inconclusive, this is your opportunity to show strong, valid research that does support a year-round curriculum on the basis of lost information over the long break. You will argue that the opposition has based their argument on a faulty assumption — that research shows there is no benefit. The opposition/rebuttal paragraph would look something like this: Those against changing our current 9-month school calendar to year-round,is that there has been no conclusive research that supports that it has any academic benefit. Your readers will deeply appreciate your efforts because they show respect for both the seriousness of your mission and for the readers themselves. Paraphrasing is a similar approach but allows you to contextualize the comment. Present your own argument first, and then present and counteract the opposing viewpoints. First of all, you'll need to gather evidence and present a well-reasoned argument on a debatable issue. This is not only respectful, but also a great opportunity to drive home your own points to re-emphasize your argument. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). It’s always a good idea at this stage to get some peer feedback, as your peers might be a good source of opposing views. This tactic, however, results in the unfair labeling of others’ arguments as uninformed, feeble, or otherwise unworthy of a considerate response. In this fourth step, the conflict must be resolved. The best way to counteract an opposing viewpoint is to anticipate what an opponent might say. 2011 statement for those essay and their management, 2010 essay will write the presidential race, followed by e. To instructor: a goodargumentative essay must try to counteract an online color codes each essay prompt tba. Imagine that this reader is smart, informed, has thought carefully about the issue, and has reached a totally different conclusion. What is it?
Argumentative essays give information and present an argument with the pros and cons on the issue. Where are they on the scale of opposition? When you encounter dissenting opinions, try to figure out why smart and rational people would hold those positions. However, this is untrue. The difference is while a persuasive essay may have a certain viewpoint, the argumentative essay will expand on it. Developing a creative, original title is a fantastic … : To be an ace arguer, you’ll need to clearly state your objections to your opponent’s arguments and support your objections with evidence. As you can see, a lot of thought and planning must go into building your argument and considering how the opposition may disagree with you. Support your objection with high-quality evidence, expert opinion, and solid reasoning: “The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that in 2005, punitive damages were awarded to only 5 percent of plaintiffs in civil trials.” Here, the writer uses both a widely respected source and statistics that refute the counterclaim. How are they different? Consider and counter opposing viewpoints in order to strengthen your own argument. Consider what points of your argument may garner the strongest debate, and carefully think through how you will counter those who will disagree with you. When pointing out opposing arguments (Cons): Opponents of this idea claim/maintain that… Those who disagree/ are against these ideas may say/ assert that… If you shortchange the opposing viewpoint, your readers will suspect that you are trying to compensate for shortcomings in your own argument. In this example, the writer is putting himself in his reader’s place, voicing one of the most common and understandable objections to his thesis. Colorful language, appeals to emotion, and rhetorical devices hold little weight against a clearly fleshed-out position supported by appropriate examples and solid evidence offered by reputable sources. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. You’ll notice first that the author has an Hispanic surname, which lends ethos to his perspective. This is called a concession. Introducing the strongest point of opposition and strongly refuting it with a well thought-out response serves to make the writer’s position stronger. (A reader might be wondering, “Did he really just compare immigrants to pollution?) Try to figure out why smart and rational people would hold those positions. The persuasive essay follows the basic essay format as displayed in the example. How can you anticipate what the opposition might be? To find a good topic for an argumentative essay, consider several issues and choose a few that spark at least two solid, conflicting points of view. Modify language to be neutral in tone when presenting a counterargument. It is less likely to be used in academic writing. That way, you will be familiar enough with these opposing viewpoints to argue against them. As you introduce opposition, take care to be respectful of the other side’s opinions. The more your readers believe that you are being fair to your opponents, the more likely they are to be open to your refutation. If your mind is changed in the process, so be it! He has placed this objection just after his claim that all people should be given the opportunity for redemption, because he knows that that’s the claim that is most likely to ignite this counterargument in the reader’s mind. Rugby: Anticipating your opponents’ objections can help you structure your arguments more soundly. Be in your reader’s mind. The final difference between the argumentative essay and the argument (persuasive) essay is the organization of the composition. This can be a helpful audience to keep in mind when writing your paper. However, if you cite counterarguments from experts in the field, and then work to refute those arguments effectively, you can lend authority to your own argument. Use neutral language when you present opposing viewpoints. And even if your reader agrees with your thesis, she may be turned off completely by the lack of respect for other readers. Debaters prepare for tournaments by gathering information on both sides of a topic. Then, when you begin structuring your argument, imagine how your skeptical reader might react to your thesis statement and each of your claims. Read our writing help and prompts with samples on Opposing Viewpoints for more insights Follow the path of each objection to discover its roots. An important part of the argumentative essay is to use evidence both to substantiate one's own position and to refute the opposing argument. Check the headlines of a newspaper, or just listen to a conversation at Starbucks. You can boost your credibility by acknowledging specific sources who disagree with your position, then effectively refuting their arguments. Note the highlighted transitional cue word, “However.” This is a cue word that indicates that you are now stating your rebuttal, or disagreement with the opposition. Make it clear that you are presenting someone else’s viewpoint, but don’t use emotionally charged, biased, or polemical language to summarize it. For example, you might write an essay arguing that military service should be mandatory. Why is yours the stronger one? When you encounter these dissenting opinions, get curious. If you fail to neutralize a common objection, readers will have an excuse to reject your argument. Your email address will not be published. Just as with your own argument, you’ll want to find the best thinkers on the opposing side of the argument. For example, to begin discussing the legalization of physician aid-in-dying with an audience that may be initially averse to the idea, you might begin with something like this: “The impending death of a loved one, particularly a person who can no longer communicate for herself, can pose intense ethical and emotional questions for those designated to make medical decisions for the patient. Opposing Viewpoints Essay Example In fact, the whole thrust of the “choice” argument admits this and seeks to sideline Americans’ moral qualms by telling Americans that, even if it is a human life, the most that can be done is to persuade women not to have abortions. Some students admit that they see cheating as the only way to reconcile their conflicting obligations. What evidence do they look at? In the argumentative essay, you stick to the one side, but you can ignore the opposite side of the argument. We tend to have disdain for opposing arguments and aren’t open to even hearing what those on the other side have to say. You can poke fun and be respectful at the same time. To move yourself out of this emotional realm and back into the realm of the well-reasoned argument, try taking a strategy from debate tournaments. This strategy gets objections out in the open right away, which can be especially useful for radical or unexpected thesis statements. By conceding this point is actually true and then responding with a strong rebuttal — an alternative to offset the high costs — the writer’s position becomes even stronger. Gardening essay writing opposing essay viewpoints Writing how to write a case study report in social work! Whichever way you choose to bring the counterargument into the discussion, however, you’ll want to use neutral language. In your essay, you will need to state and refute these opposing views to give more credence to your argument. You can boost your credibility by acknowledging specific sources who disagree with your position. But this actually weakens the writer’s argument.… You can change your thesis and claims and argue for the other side of the issue. Punitive Damage Awards in State Courts, 2005. Alternate back and forth between your argument and opposing points. Using straw-man counterarguments and weakened oppositional statements, while somewhat tempting, will not serve to strengthen your own argument but will severely weaken it by causing the reader to lose respect for it. Reason:   because students lose much of the previous year’s information and must be re-taught, wasting precious time and resources. It requires a debatable topic with opposing points of view. Try to persuade this reader; work hard to demonstrate why your position is more convincing than the alternatives. When we’re passionate about a topic, emotions can sometimes cloud our rationality. If this is true, then that may be true. Depending on your writing style and material, your argument could follow various structural formats: This structure has the advantage of putting your argument in people ‘s minds first, so it can be useful when you are space-limited or your audience is time-limited. HIRE verified writer $35.80 for a 2-page paper