Response to Writing an Argument

Ballenger is writing to explain how to correctly construct a proper argument paper. I think a major point he is trying to get accross is that catching the attention of the reader is the most important thing when writing the argument paper, and there are ways to prove your point when writing the paper that makes it worth reading. The closed argument model consists of a pre-existing opinion or belief about the topic, gathering evidence to support your opinion, and an argument for pre-existing beliefs with reasons and evidence to support. All these components are key in a successful argument. Ballenger also explains the different methods of development of an argument paper and which techniques a writer can use to be successful. These include a narrative, question to answer, problem to solution, cause to effect or effect to cause, and using evidence. He goes off into the importance of evidence and how it can make or break your argument and also states that there are not only two sides to every argument. If you argue a side opposed to another side there is a good chance the argument will be weak. Instead, writers should "respect the complexcity of the subject and examine it from a variety of perspectives and not just the two opposing sides."

Ballenger's guide has greatly helped me especially in the sense that I will no longer be so closed minded in my views of the argument. I think it is important to know that I can still strongly get my point across to the reader, but give different perspectives on the topic that can ultimately make my point even stronger. I believe that evidence is something writers take for granted because they have such strong feelings for the topic that the opinions of others are not put into perspective. At the same time, evidence can contrast with some aspects of a writer's paper, which is why I think Ballenger makes a good point about getting different perspectives on complex subjects. With this guideline I will be more prepared to compare and contrast my ideas with more than just one other perspective on my topic.