9.14.09 Reader Response
“Types of Supports that are Discussed or Used”
- Research (many sources and citations)
- Evidence of support by large groups or many people
- Statistics
- Quotes
- Counterarguments
- Risks within the writing (stating something that may lose some readers)
- Overcoming the drop of readers
- Reaffirming your position several times
- Comparisons/Connections
As stated in the introduction to “Arguing a Position”, “this chapter presents a more deliberate way of arguing that we call reasoned argument because it depends on giving reasons rather than raising voices.” In other words, in a reasoned argument, the writer’s goal is to get the reader to take their stand on an opinionated argument. The best way to accomplish this is to have an abundance of support that adds to the writers stand on the argument.
Although there are many more types of supports for reasoned argument, some of the main types of support are listed above. The writer should use multiple types of support and multiple examples throughout the essay. For example, in the essay “Children Need to Play, Not Compete”, the writer uses 11 different sources and cites each of them at least once. Another excellent way to attach the reader is to state and overcome a counterargument. This allows the reader to view both sides of the argument and adds to the credibility to the writers’ position. Despite it not being in the list above, I personally believe that one of the most important aspects of a reasoned argument is to keep the reader attracted and interested. This is especially useful for the reader’s that are against the writers’ position. All of these techniques and supports should be freely used and are designed to add to the credibility of a specific position and persuade the reader to believe in the writers’ position of an argument.