Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Evaluate how fairly a writer handles opposing views
Reading arguments
Academic Reading and Writing

The way in which a writer deals with opposing views is telling. Some writers address the arguments of the opposition fairly, conceding points when necessary and countering others, all in a civil spirit. Other writers will do almost anything to win an argument: either ignoring opposing views altogether or misrepresenting such views and attacking their proponents.

Writers build credibility — ethos — by addressing opposing arguments fairly. As you read arguments, evaluate how writers deal with views that don’t line up with their own. Credible writers deal with opposing arguments by

✵ respectfully acknowledging alternative positions

✵ incorporating elements of the opposition into their arguments

✵ using precise language to describe opposing views

✵ quoting opposing views accurately and fairly

✵ not misrepresenting a source by taking it out of context

✵ finding common ground among differing positions

CHECKLIST FOR READING AND EVALUATING ARGUMENTS

✵ What is the writer’s purpose and thesis?

✵ Are there any gaps in reasoning? Does the argument contain any logical fallacies (see 6a)?

✵ On what assumptions does the argument rest? Are any of the assumptions unstated?

✵ What appeals — ethical, logical, or emotional — does the writer make? Are these appeals effective?

✵ What evidence does the writer use? Could there be alternative interpretations of the evidence?

✵ How does the writer handle opposing views?

✵ If you are not persuaded by the writer’s argument, what counterarguments would you make to the writer?

EXERCISE 6-2

Explain what is illogical in each of the following brief arguments. It may be helpful to identify the logical fallacy or fallacies by name. Answers appear in the back of the book.

a. My roommate, who is an engineering major, is taking a course called Structures of Tall Buildings. All engineers have to know how to design tall buildings.

b. If you’re old enough to vote, you’re old enough to drink alcohol. Therefore, the drinking age should be lowered to eighteen.

c. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

d. Every K-12 student in America could have access to the technology they need for successful online learning if it weren’t for the outdated, behind-the-times thinking of most school administrators.

e. Charging a fee for curbside trash pickup will encourage everyone to recycle more because no one in my town likes to spend extra money.