▶ Your Answer :
In current society, people often construct argument
in order to convince others whose viewpoint is opposite. I disagree with the
claim that the best way to argue is to convince others with an opposing view. I
also disapprove the reason for the claim; one can discover true value of that
idea only by defending one’s own view against the doubts.
Granted, persuading people with an opposing
viewpoint could be an effective way to construct an argument. President Obama made
a deal with Iranian foreign minister, Mohamad Zarif regarding undermining Iran’s
ability to develop nuclear weapons. The deal was controversial in the US
Congress including many Democrat Senates. The Senates opposed the Iran deal due
to the fear that the agreement to lift sanction could allow Iran to obtain
financial ability to develop nuclear weapons. However, Obama eloquently and
persistently convinced the Democrats who opposed the deal. He stated that the
Iranian counterpart agreed to halt nuclear test and therefore, reduce the
ability to develop nuclear arms severely. Finally, they were convinced by the
President and blocked Republicans’ attempt to nullify the deal by voting in
favor of the President. As Obama has an aptitude to convince the Democrats with
opposing views, he was able to maintain the deal with Iran. Therefore, it is
important to possess a skill to persuade other people who have opposing
viewpoint.
However, resorting to people who have same
viewpoint can be a better way to make an argument effective. Take Selma to
Montgomery March in 1965 for example. Martin Luther King initiated the
nonviolence protest against Jim Craw Law- a racial segregation policy. In his
protests and speeches, King convinced people who sympathize with African Americans
that the racial segregation infringes upon the basic civil rights. As many
clergies and social movement activists were motivated by King’s compelling
speeches, they joined to Selma to Montgomery March with the Black Americans.
The march was so effective and influential that it finally led to abolition of
the Jim Crow Laws and ban of prohibiting voting rights of minority populations.
Because King was able to convince his sympathizers, the protests could impact
on the society successfully. Hence, the ability to persuade like-minded people
is imperative to strengthen the impact of the argument.
In addition, a careful analysis on one’s
own argument rather than defending it could be a better way to find value of
that idea. One should test credibility of the argument before considering
testing potential doubts. It is important to identify strengths and weaknesses
of the argument. Then, the structure, order and the ton of arguments before the
person confront others with opposing viewpoints. Without having explicit ideas
about his or her argument, facing the opposing view would rather confuse one’s
viewpoint and undermine the ability to rebut the opposing view. Thus, one
should analyze and deliberate his or her own argument, then face doubts.
In conclusion, convincing people with
opposing view point is not the best way to develop arguments. It is sometimes
better to persuade people who share the same viewpoint. Moreover, one can
discover value of the argument by analyzing the own view rather than doubting
it. Therefore, all people need to develop ways to strengthen one’s argument.
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