Journal 8—Starting with What Others Say 

 

This chapter of They Say I Say is, to me, the quintessential point of the book itself. The authors talk about how it can be confusing to a reader if an author or speaker goes on about their point of an argument or supportive statement without giving an opposing view or differing perspectives. This makes sense to me as I am most interested in an argument that is started off with an opposing viewpoint or critical thinking before reading the actual supportive text. This is because I can take what the opposition/critics say first, keep it in my head, and understand where the supportive text is coming from. Sure, you can say that you support something, but why do you support it and how does it relate to what other people think? A strengthened argument must have vital components such what they say before going on or else it’s not really an argument—but a monologue.