Chapter seven of the text (Terryberry, 2001) helps demonstrate how crucial the argument of a paper is. In both academic and professional writing, writers will come across many controversial issues in which they must take a stance and back it up with evidence and support. Support for this position depends on evidence, reasons, and examples (Terryberry, 2001). This support helps persuade the audience to view the topic from the writer’s perspective. Thus, by determining a solid stance on a subject and backing it up throughout the paper, writers have the opportunity to guide their readers to the same conclusion.

            Writing a paper with the intent to persuade others definitely requires critical thinking. Everyone’s opinion differs. Regardless of the issue, there are certain audiences that will disagree and certain audiences that will agree. The challenge for all writers is convincing the dissenters. Thus, the challenge is not in arguing one’s side of the topic but in refuting the opposition. To do this, one has to analyze the issue from all angles—and attempt to see the argument as various readers will see it. In writing such argument, the tone and choice of words is very important. No one wants to deter their readers by presenting their argument in a wrongful manner.

            Throughout this semester, we were given assignments to practice articulating an argument and using research as a means to support our chosen argument. These assignments were beneficial in that we were able to understand the importance of knowing one’s argument prior to beginning the paper. By choosing a topic we felt involved with, and one in which we held a definitive stance towards, we were able to see the ways we could express the argument in hopes to persuade our audience of the same conclusion. When writing these kinds of papers, it is important to understand the actual concept of an argument and why it is important to portray it in the right context.

            This chapter depicts this well by guiding us through what an argument is, how it is to be supported, and how to revise it using critical reading and reasoning. The information obtained throughout this chapter can be applied for any kind of writing. However, as a potential healthcare worker, this information is pertinent to the topics that may arise in my future career. Healthcare is a field of study that requires critical thinking and having the ability to take an educated stance on topics at hand. In writing, it is important to dictate that stance through words and through evidence based research. Anyone can state their opinion and hope others agree. This, however, is not how professional writing should appear. As professionals, precision is expected and the ability to articulate a sound argument will definitely go a long way in furthering one’s path to success.

            Another important concept learned in this chapter was the section about supporter perspective. This section states that because the writer is the one formulating the argument, they often struggle in visualizing the argument as an objective reader. Thus, it is important for the writer to look at each paragraph and ask whether the paragraph supports the thesis of the paper. Doing this will help the paper become more coherent and unified (Terryberry, 2001).

References

Terryberry, K. (2005). Writing for the health professions. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage