Countering

Countering is another tool in writing that is similar to forwarding. In countering instead of using the scholars work to support your argument the author uses the text show the significance of an idea that the other author might have dismissed. Harris explains that there are three main ways of saying doing this in one’s writing: uncovering values, arguing the other side and dissenting. In uncovering values the author uses another text to point out something that the author did not fully define. This is a way of showing the parts that the author did not fully consider illustrating the shortcomings in their argument. For arguing the other side one highlights the ideas that the other author did not consider. By doing this you underline one’s personal argument by showing how one’s argument falls better. Last, when dissenting an argument one point out the similar attributes of an argument but points out the other author’s limits to their argument. Each of these tools can be used as a way to support your argument even if the other author does not agree with your point of view.

In countering, an author simply uses a piece of text of another authors to support their argument, as Harris says, the “values and attitudes of our society are often insinuated” in the texts one writes (63). This demonstrates that while adopting a text even when trying to express the other persons opinion when adapted to a new context, the idea can never be expressed the same when in original form. This is a key concept when using another’s work for you have to be careful to not completely alter the author’s original intent. It can be easy to take something out of context and simply place it for your uses.