Using sources to counter objections

Do not ignore sources that seem contrary to your position or that offer arguments different from your own. Instead, use them to give voice to opposing points of view and to state potential objections to your arguments before you counter them.

Ned Bishop, for example, presents evidence from a source that challenges his thesis.

Hurst suggests that the temperamental Forrest “may have ragingly ordered a massacre and even intended to carry it out—until he rode inside the fort and viewed the horrifying result” and ordered it stopped.15 While this is an intriguing interpretation of events, even Hurst would probably admit that it is merely speculation.

Exercise: Thesis statements in Chicago (CMS) papers 1

Exercise: Thesis statements in Chicago (CMS) papers 2

Related topic:

Counterarguments and opposing points of view