This chapter goes along with the last one we read, because it emphasizes the importance of indicating to the reader what other people in opposition to your work are saying. This chapter also ties in the overall message of the book, which is entering a conversation. Like in all subjects, criticism is what allows you to grow and allows you to modify your work in a positive direction. Without criticism, you will never be able to see your flaws, and you will never improve. Now, the concept of “planting a naysayer in your text” is not new to me. I remember the first time I was asked to do that in an essay. It was a persuasive essay for the purpose of getting rid of the uniform policy at my old Catholic elementary school. In the essay, I included possible rebuttals authority figures may have had in regard to my argument. I shot them down and made them seem foolish. Even though that essay couldn’t have possibly changed anything, including opposing rationale definitely strengthened my argument. This chapter outlined a lot of pros that come with telling the reader what others might say against you, which I found insightful. Specifically, doing so enhances your credibility rather than undermining it, disarms the objections of critics, identifies problems with your argument before others can point them out for you, shows respect for the reader, and allows yourself to come off as a broad-minded person. The person you are referencing the objections of can actually be yourself; your inner skeptic. You’re allowed to devote space to the naysayer, you shouldn’t immediately write it off. Labeling naysayers adds impact to your writing, but it can also be generalizing. What I found helpful is the advice to not refute an objection entirely, but agree with part of the opposition by saying “yes, but”.
