Curious Writer response

This chapter in the Curious Writer on “Writing an Argument” I found was both extremely helpful and insightful. Bruce Ballenger was able to make several great points on how to construct an argument, the process you go through, and common misunderstandings about arguments. He is quick to point out that many people think of arguments and op-ed pieces to be “stiff and formal”, but it’s all in how you approach the topic, the language you use that can bring your argument and op-ed to life. A common misconception about arguments is that inquiry is not involved in the process of developing an argument. A lot of people already have formed well-built opinions on certain topics and therefore when arguing them only look for sources to help support their opinion. But the pre-existing opinion that one has on his or her argument topic is just the beginning step of the process. It then goes to gathering evidence and support (this is where inquiry comes into the equation), and then writing your argument with sources that support and uphold your pre-existing belief. Another point that Ballenger addressed that has much confusion surrounding it is that there are two sides to every argument. He states “To argue well is an act of the imagination, not a picking of sides.” I strongly agree with this statement, because there is never just two polar opposite sides to an argument, it isn’t just black and white, where one person can either believe one side or the exact opposite. There will always be areas of grey, and what makes a great argument is the realization of this truth and examining your topic from all of the various angles in order to prove your point and to better understand the bigger picture of what you are arguing.

I found this reading to be incredibly helpful as I have begun my argument paper. Writing the ethnography has allowed me to see more than one side of the topic I am pursuing and in turn helped me better under the gay community in the Treasure Valley. I feel that this reading has not only expanded my knowledge of argument papers, but given me many ideas to use in developing my own paper and allowing it to be more than just “stiff and formal”, but a creative and insightful piece of writing.