Comp II Final

Paul Garro
Composition II
Final Exam
Sometimes the hardest thing to do when writing a research project is to acknowledge the opposing side of an issue. Peter Elbow once wrote, “Try hard to find good arguments for your position, but then try even harder to find arguments to refute yours.��? While it is important in research paper writing to make solid claims and have evidence to back those claims, how a writer deals with the opposition can be equally important.
When a research project is about a subject the writer has knowledge of, or supports, it is generally easy to find information to support the claims that are made. Depending on the project, a writer may be arguing for or against a particular subject. There are cases when the writer may feel adamantly about an issue and want others to know those feelings in an attempt to persuade the reader. A writer can really show how much of a personal stake they have in an issue by the level of research put into the subject. If a writer successfully addresses the opposite side of an issue, it can add credibility to the writers claims.
Addressing one’s opposition can be quite difficult sometimes. There are writers who will find it easier to ignore any claims that are counterproductive to their own viewpoint. Ultimately, in every argument there are at least two sides. When a reader knows both sides of an issue, they will be better educated. Finding the right support for your own argument can be crucial. While an opposing viewpoint to an issue may be detrimental, being able to prove that the opposition is wrong greatly increases one’s own credibility.
Supporting your own arguments with solid support is very important in research writing. Writing a paper without the proper support will most likely be dismissed as pure conjecture and opinion. By addressing the opposing side of an issue, and successfully refuting that opposition, a writer can ensure a balanced research project.