Post #6- Argument and Countering

Post #6- Argument and Countering

In the chapter of “countering” in rewriting, Harris writes about how to treat the disagreements when we rewrite texts. He emphasizes that countering is not finding the wrong aspects or correcting weakness. Countering is putting knowledge forward. In the term of countering, we always use “yes, but” to show the adding parts of texts. It is more like adding opposite response when we rewrite. There are also three moves in the countering parts: arguing the other side, uncovering values and dissenting. All three moves add to show ideas that give the ideas you think are useful and then point other ideas you want to add to them. I really like the idea that Harris states: the way you did not see in the texts. You state knowledge, you find new things from your positions and you add to it so that make the knowledge forward. At the last part, there are some important ways to countering: focus on your positions, do not guess, and never use a negative or positive attitude and so on. I think those ways can help us rewrite a great countering.

There is an example of rewrite the argument. This is from the New York Times. This article is the argument of travel. The author use half space to restate the original part about the travel, but the author gives the argument in the rest part. The gains the author own is restate really objective and add thoughts also hint the negative parts. However, I think she need to combine the two things to make it forward, to achieve the goal of countering.

Here is the link:  http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/the-argument-against-pound-foolish-travel/