Chapter 47

    Chapter forty seven tells the reader how to construct reasonable arguments.  In order to have an effective argument, you need to be assertive, state your belief, with facts that back it up, and not be to passive or to aggressive.  When forming an argument, the writer has to be aware of the context, whether it is social or intellectual debates.  The writer needs to be well informed if he/she wants to have an advantage in the argument.  The readers should be seen as jurors, if you assume that they don't see it the way you do, you will provide more evidence to support your argument.  In the beginning of you paper, the writer need to state their position and establish credibility.  If the writer shows the reader that they are knowledgeable, the reader will be more likely to actively pay attention to what is presented.  The writer has to be able to show specific evidence to support their argument.  It is very helpful if the writer can state facts and statistics.  If the writer can anticipate counter arguments, they can have a rebuttal ready, to dispute the counter and to strengthen the argument.  When the writer uses illustrations, it can connect on an emotional level, one that statistics cannot.  If the writer can build a coomon ground, the reader may listen to what the writer has to say.  If the writer can show the reader that they may share the same values, the writers opinion becomes valid, and reader might pay closer attention to the other side of the argument.

      I will use this information not only when forming an argument, but also when writing in general.  I tend to forget that the reader does not allways agree, or have the same veiw as me.  When I write I need to illustrate more, and to show more specific evidence to support my ideas.  this will help me to get my point across more clearly, and quickly.