Rules for Writers Chapter 47

When I read Chapter 47 I found that there was a good amount of main ideas. But there was a few that stuck out to me personally.

One of them was, constructing reasonable arguments.  This is when you take a stand on a debatable issue. I personally liked reading about this subject in the chapter, because I can relate to this in my own writing. When I read what this topic was all about, I noticed that I am too passive. I am not a confrontational person, therefore, I can admit that I am wrong and I do not have to have the last word. The goal in constructing reasonable arguments not simply not to win or have the last word. You are just trying to understand and explain the truth about what it is that you you are writing about. You propose a solution to the problem or issue without being combative. The best part about this subject is that you are trying to convince your readers to reconsider there opinions by simply giving your viewpoint on the matter.

Another main idea that I found interesting in this chapter was; view you audience as a panel of jurors. This is when you do not assume that you audience already agrees with you. I thought that this was a great example on how to remember that when you have an audience to not assume that they are already going to be on your side. You have to let them make up there own minds on your reading before a decision is made of wether they agree with you or not.

Lastly, the main idea for this subject is. support your claims with specific evidence. This means you will need to support your central claim and any subordinate claims with evidence,facts,stats,examples, illustrations,expert opinions etc... This is true, and I found that out early on in my writing. I wrote a paper with all of these facts and ended up with a low grade per I did not have specific evidence, I did not cite or support my paper. So I can personally relate to this subject and I now know the importance of having all of your information that you provide in a paper to be supported by facts,stats, examples etc.. The documentation gives you credit and shows your readers that you know what you are talking about and that its is correct and true. It also give your creditability.

As I was reading the chapter, I noticed a tip that I just wanted to mention, I think that for me personally it will be helpful in the future. It entailed that a "good way to test a thesis while drafting and revising is to imagine a counterargument. If you cannot think of an opposing point of view, rethink your thesis." (pg.362) I am always looking for a good way to think of to see if my thesis is good enough, I believe that this is a fantastic way to see if your thesis is worth placing in your paper. I will defiantly use this tip in the future.

I will also use the anticipating and countering objections in the future writing, I will go to this as a tool when the following questions arise. "could a reasonable person draw a different conclusion from your facts and examples"? Or "Might a reader question your assumptions"?  You have to show yourself as a reasonable and well informed writer, and by looking at these tool sheet, it allows you to ask yourself these questions and make necessary the changes in order to have a strong paper.