Argument and Persuasion: Opposing Viewpoints
Himilce Novas
If I find something that debunks or opposes my original belief, it may even help me with my original belief. Because you always have to know what your enemies think in order to make a better case. In a sense, as a writer, you're a lawyer too. You're pleading your case. So you've got to know what the opposition has.

Garrett Nutt [READING PAPER]
…This. I believe those who struggle with getting out of the welfare system do so because if they went out and got a full-time job paying minimum wage, they would essentially wind up getting screwed. Sure, they'd be getting a regular paycheck, but probably be out of a house, food, and other basic needs. Of course they could get a second job to make ends meet. But at the cost of never seeing their children. In addition, if they ever wanted to jump to the next income tier, they'd have to attend college classes and carry a certain amount of units to receive enough financial aid to pay for tuition, books, and fees. Again, this would be…

Amy Spencer
OK, good one.

Nutt
Again, this would be… You want to put something right there?

Spencer
And he happened to read one where I had the exact opposite view that I had copied and pasted and printed out on my paper. And that's what gave us the idea, "hey you have something here and I have the exact opposite;" same words, same word "pride," "embarrassment," same exact words, only completely 180 degree viewpoint. So you put yours first and then I'll put this one second and then let's do that, let's go back and forth.

Spencer [READING PAPER]
I could get on welfare and go to school during the day, while my daughter's at school, instead of working. Then I could be home at night, instead of being in night school. But what would I be teaching my daughter, that earning is no longer important? That we are a family of the perpetual handout? How then would I explain to her that she needs to work in school for her grades, that they aren't just handed out? Now that's hypocritical.

Spencer
Her and I should get together. "Cause I think that we are just about complete opposites."

Thomas Fox
The best kind of student writing, and other writing, making no distinctions here, is when you understand somebody's legitimate point of view. That there's another opinion that you may disagree with quite strongly, but you can understand the reasoning for it.

Michael Bertsch
The reason opponents don't want to change their mind is because they're afraid. So if you want to bring your opponent on board or have your opponent agree with you first, you must disarm the fear inherent in your opponent's thinking. So that means you have to know your opponent's thoughts very well.

Novas
Because by knowing what they think then you can oppose it, attack it, and look at the issues. So it's very important as a researcher to learn both the pros and cons of your own opinion. The one you walked in with at the public library. And very often I have to say you are converted. You're converted to whatever it is you didn't believe in when you went in there. And that's part of the process, and the beauty of research and the beauty of writing. The moment you open that window, you open that door to see what other people are thinking and believing and feeling and you're willing to walk in other people's moccasins. Then you have opened the door for your own instruction and growth and unfoldment.