Respond to What Someone Else Thinks

 
 

1. Introduce your issue, topic, problem, or question by ...

  1. Bullet describing it as neutrally as you can

  2. Bullet or, providing a statistic or figure

  3. Bullet or, citing (quoting) someone who brings up an issue, topic, question, or problem

  4. Bullet or, describing an event that raises an issue or problem


Say something along the lines of …

  1. BulletIt is scarcely possible to open a newspaper without finding some new example of ...

  2. BulletOne recurring problem/issue today is...

  3. BulletX has recently argued in "title" that "blah, blah, …"

  4. BulletHistory offers us several examples of …


2. Position Yourself Against a "Naive View" or "Naysayer."

Describe a "naive" response or interpretation of your text. Remember that a "naive view" is a view that you personally disagree with or a view that misses something important. But don't use the word "naïve." Say something along the lines of …

  1. I used to think that…

  2. A common view is that…

  3. A common view is ...

  4. At first glance...

  5. Many think that…

  6. X argues that…


3. Briefly explain the logic or reasoning of this "naive" view.

Answer the question, "Why would someone think this way? Why would they find their answer or solution logical or reasonable?" Why did I think this way? Say something along the lines of …

  1. We cannot deny that ...

  2. This way of making sense of the text makes a degree of sense. [Why?]

  3. This position seems reasonable. [Explain why.]

  4. I can understand why someone might interpret X in this way. [Explain how so.]

  5. These conclusions seem compelling. [Why?]


4. Provide a transition that indicates that you are going to contrast this "naive" view. Say something along the lines of …

  1. However…

  2. But it's more complicated than that.

  3. This interpretation is helpful, it misses an important point.

  4. This interpretation raises a fundamental question.

  5. While this view seems plausible/reasonable at first glance, we should look closer...


5. Lead into your thesis statement.

Answer the question, "So what's your point?" Make sure that you could write the words "I will prove that…" before your thesis (but don't actually write the words).

Outline


  1. 1.Introduce issue, topic, problem, or question.

  2. 2.Position yourself again a "naive view" or "naysayer."

  3. 3.Briefly explain the logic or reasoning of this naysayer.

  4. 4.Transition to your view by complicating or undermining naysayer's view.

  5. 5.Declare your thesis.