The Naysayer

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The Naysayer

• Bringing richness and credibility to your
  arguments

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Semester in Review

• CLEAR, COMPLEX CLAIMS STAKES now you have an
  interesting argument that matters
• USING INTERTEXTUALITY now you are a
  sophisticated text-wielder
• THE NAYSAYER you will enrich the scope of your
  arguments and lend your ideas more credibility

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WASL-prepah, the good ol days!

• What do you remember about using counterarguments
  in persuasive writing?

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Key Terms

• NAYSAYER the other side who disagrees with at
  least some of your points
• CONCESSION in your writing, acknowledging the
  other side, the naysayer
• REBUTTAL your response to the naysayers points

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Why We Bother with the Naysayer

• We write our papers not with the goal of winning,
  but with the goal of adding richness and new
  perspectives to an on-going discussion.
• To engage readers of all opinions
• To add credibility to your ideas, by
  acknowledging that you are one voice among many

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Adjusting the Frame of Your Argument

• You can even frame your claim in light of the
  naysayer.
• Choose one of the two following templates, and
  fill it in with interesting, meaningful subject
  matter.
• Be prepared to share.

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Template 1 for the Naysayer

• In discussions of ______, one controversial issue
  has been ________________. On the one hand,
  _____________ argues ____________________________.
  On the other hand, ________________ contends
  ____________________________. Others even
  maintain ___________________. My own view is
  _____________________.

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Template 2 for the Naysayer

• When it comes to the topic of ___________, most
  of us will readily agree that ____________________
  . Where this agreement usually ends, however, is
  on the question of _____________________. Whereas
  some are convinced that _______________________,
  others maintain that ___________________.

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Taking it the Next Level

• When you introduce the naysayer, give a detailed
  summary of the opposing view(s). Show that
  youve given other perspectives serious thoughts.
• Cite research that even supports the naysayer!
• Dont give a quick rebuttal. It will look like
  you are simply dismissing the naysayer, who has
  probably put much thought into his/her views.
• Disagree and agree!

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A Peoples Democratic PlatformEric Schlosser

• Read Schlossers argument carefully.
• Write in an asterisk where you would include a
  discussion of the naysayers point(s).
• Below or on the back, write out a detailed
  concession and rebuttal that fits smoothly within
  the argument.

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3.2 Planting the Naysayer

• Read your partners essay for an understanding of
  the claim and sub-claims.
• Pay attention to how the writer uses Barbers
  ideas.
• Within the essay, place an asterisk () where you
  would put in a discussion of the naysayer. On a
  separate piece of paper, write out a concession
  rebuttal that the writer should consider using
  there. Write as if you are the writer.
• Repeat, using a double-asterisk () in a new
  location.

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3.2 Planting the Naysayer

• HOMEWORK revise 3.2, incorporating the naysayer
  in detailed fashion. Turn in 3.3 next class.
• Use the A Writers Toolbox handout to help you.

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Works Cited

• Birkenstein, Cathy and Gerald Graff. They Say/I
  Say The Moves That Matter in Persuasive
  Writing. New York W.W. Norton Company, 2007.