Just Say No!
Planting a Naysayer in Your Text
(Chapter 6)
Templates for Entertaining Objections (pgs. 82-84):
- Yet some readers may challenge my view by insisting that ______.
- However, does the evidence I've cited prove conclusively that ______?
- Of course, many will probably disagree on the grounds that ______.
- But ______ would certainly take issue with the argument that ______.
Templates for Making Concessions while Still Standing Your Ground (pg. 89):
- Proponents of X are right to argue that ______. But they exaggerate when they claim that ______.
- While it is true that ______, it does not necessarily follow that ______.
- On the one hand, I agree with X that ______. But on the other hand, I still insist that ______.
How can you use this in Project Three?
Incorporating Naysayers into Project Three: An Exercise
- Find a source that presents a counterargument, a problem or a challenge to your Project Three argument.
- This source can disagree with you about the nature of the problem - or it can argue that it's not a problem at all.
- The source can be something that complicates the implementation of your chosen solution.
- It can even be a competing solution to your problem.
- Using the "They Say / I Say" templates and techniques, introduce this source as a naysayer in the context of your argument.
- Remember to summarize the source's key points (its argument and main evidence).
- Then, respond to the opposing claim. Either refute the objection, make a concession, or (if necessary) revise your argument.
Assignment for Monday:
- Complete rough draft of Project Three for the Rough Draft Workshop. Your rough draft should be uploaded and linked on your Class Roster page. See the Project Three and How to Upload Papers to the Wiki pages for more information. Don't forget to clearly label your rough draft so that your peer reviewer can distinguish between your Project One, Two, and Three drafts.