An Effective Response to Objections and Alternative Solutions: Anticipating Alternatives

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.
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Proposal writers need to anticipate alternative solutions their readers may prefer. O’Malley, for example, brings up several alternatives to improve students’ study skills, such as giving students frequent study questions and handing out possible exam topics to help students prepare. He acknowledges the benefits of some of these solutions but also points out their shortcomings, arguing that his solution is preferable to the alternatives.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a few paragraphs analyzing how Kornbluh responds to alternative solutions and an objection to her proposed solution:

  1. Reread paragraphs 2–3 and 10–12. Identify the alternative solutions readers could claim are already in place to solve the problem of the “juggler family.” How does Kornbluh try to refute these alternative solutions. Is she successful?
  2. Reread paragraph 21, in which Kornbluh anticipates an objection. What is the objection, and how does she handle it? How effective is her response in allaying readers’ concerns?
  3. Now assess the effectiveness of Kornbluh’s refutation of the alternative solution and the effectiveness of her response to the objection she anticipates. Has Kornbluh done enough to anticipate and respond to objections and alternative solutions? Why or why not?

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