Beyond Feelings

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CHAPTER 19 Persuading Others 213 mention it, deal with the questions it raises, and modify your position accordingly. GUIDELINE 8: DON’T OVERWHELM YOUR READERS WITH ARGUMENTS In controversial matters, no paper under, say, 3,000 words is likely to be definitive. Moreover, no serious writer would attempt to convey the impression that it is. Of necessity it contains selected evidence. On the surface it would seem that this would give more reason to fill the paper to overflowing with evidence for one’s position, to make it as nearly definitive as possible. But on reflection it is clear that the readers’ impression must also be considered. What is the impression of those who read a composition that they know cannot possibly be definitive but is devoted to arguing one side of an issue, piling detail on detail, example on example, without even implying that there is another side to the issue? There is no question that they will regard such a composition as one-sided and unbalanced! The way to avoid such an unfavorable reader reaction is to present only those arguments and that evidence that you feel are most relevant and most persuasive. There is one other related point. Even when you succeed in avoiding an unbalanced argument, you may get so taken up with your presentation that you push the reader, possibly concluding your paper like this: I think I have proved in this paper that there is no alternative to the one suggested by Professor Jones. or The evidence I have presented seems irrefutable. There can be no question that the proposal is harmful. or No reasonable person will hesitate to endorse this view. You cannot “prove” anything in a short paper. Although evidence may “seem irrefutable” to you and you may see “no question,” remember that it is wiser to permit readers to make their own judgment. And no reader enjoys feeling that agreement with the writer is required in order to be considered a “reasonable person.” GUIDELINE 9: FOCUS ON THE ARGUMENT BEST CALCULATED TO PERSUADE YOUR AUDIENCE Different arguments appeal to different readers. Just as it is important to understand your readers’ viewpoints on the issue, it is important to use arguments that will appeal to them. To ignore their frames of reference and choose arguments that you yourself find persuasive is a mistake.
214 PART THREE A Strategy Consider, for example, the issue of whether the United States should become involved in conflicts in other parts of the world. The following chart shows the various frames of reference and the arguments that are often made under each. Frame of Reference Moral and/or religious Political and/or practical Philosophic Arguments for U.S. Involvement 1. It is the moral obligation of the strong to protect the weak. 2. To stand by and do nothing while atrocities are committed is unethical. 1. Because technology has shrunk our planet, no part of the world is outside our country’s interest. 2. To refuse to stop tyranny is the same as encouraging it. A free nation has an obligation to stand up for freedom everywhere. Arguments Against U.S. Involvement 1. The Judeo- Christian tradition says to return good for evil, love for hate. 2. Modern warfare punishes the victims as well as the perpetrators. 1. Precisely because the world has grown smaller, we need to resist the urge to join other nations’ battles. 2. When we deplete our resources in foreign wars, we increase our own vulnerability. 1. War corrupts all who engage in it. Let’s say you are writing a persuasive paper on this issue and you personally believe that the most telling arguments are moral and/or religious but you know your readers would be more impressed with the political and/or practical or the philosophic arguments. Generally speaking, it would be foolish to follow your personal preference—doing so could defeat your purpose in writing. GUIDELINE 10: NEVER USE AN ARGUMENT YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IS SOUND OR RELEVANT This guideline should be understood as a qualification of the previous one. Sincerity and regard for the truth are among the most important characteristics of a writer. Without them there is no real persuasion, only
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Beyond Feelings A Guide to Critical
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To the memory of Howard Trumble, wh
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vi CONTENTS Imperfect Memory 35 Def
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viii CONTENTS Using Your Inventory
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x PRFACE evaluate them carefully wh
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xii PRFACE Aimee Ross-Kilroy, Loyol
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2 INTRODUCTION applications cover p
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CHAPTER 1 Who Are You? Suppose some
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CHAPTER 2 What Is Critical Thinking
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CHAPTER 3 What Is Truth? For hundre
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CHAPTER 6 What Is Evidence? To stat
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CHAPTER 8 The Basic Problem: ”Min
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CHAPTER 9 Errors of Perspective Ima
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CHAPTER 11 Errors of Expression We
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CHAPTER 13 The Errors in Combinatio
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148 PART TWO The Pitfalls Arguing i
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CHAPTER 14 Knowing Yourself Western
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160 PART THREE A Strategy 12. In wh
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Page 237 and 238: Notes CHAPTER 1: WHO ARE YOU? 1. Th
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Page 241 and 242: 228 NOTES CHAPTER 8: THE BASIC PROB
Page 243 and 244: 230 NOTES 5. “An Exercise in Educ
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Page 248 and 249: Henry, Carl F., 99-100 Henslin, Jam
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Beyond Feelings

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