Journal: “Playing the Naysayer in Your Text”

In the chapter “Playing Naysayer in Your Text”, Graff and Birkenstein explain several ways for a authors to increase their credibility in writing. First, they advise to put criticism in your work before others can criticise it themselves. By pointing our holes in your theories yourself, you can beat the people who would have dismissed your argument. Revising your work in terms of criticism can sometimes change your piece completely. However, this is important for the piece as a whole, like finding a plot hole in your narrative that would have undermined your story. Also, pointing out criticism in the topic you’re describing increases your own credibility. It shows that you aren’t completely biased to your own work, and that your ideas aren’t “beyond dispute” (Graff and Birkenstein 80). It shows the reader that you are a stable, well-rounded individual who is open to criticism and well versed in the topic, which reflects greatly upon the argument you are advocating. Addressing questions relieves some confusion a reader might have about the piece, and can give you more to say about the topic, by disputing criticisms and explaining why they might be wrong. In addition, make sure to represent the objectives fairly to maintain your credibility. Just including opposing ideas isn’t enough, you need to represent them objectively, without mocking them. By taking criticism seriously, not matter how inane the idea is, you will prevent alienating the readers that you are seeking out. You can’t change people’s minds by making fun of them or the things they believe in, they will only dive deeper into their previously held beliefs. The counterarguments can be even more convincing than your positive point about the topic.