This is going to sound weird but hear me out. I had to write an argumentative writing piece about climate change policy and I went in with a very clear opinion. Like I KNEW what I believed. But then I had to research the counterarguments for my "counterargument and rebuttal" section.
And guys... reading the other side done well is DANGEROUS. I found myself going "wait... that's actually a good point" multiple times. By the time I finished my research, my original position had shifted like 30%. I still mostly agree with where I started, but now I understand the complexity way better. My professor said that's actually the goal of good argumentative writing—it forces you to engage with the other side honestly, not just build a straw man to knock down . It's humbling though.
I thought I knew things and it turns out I knew opinions without understanding arguments. Now I have to write the actual paper and my thesis keeps changing. Send help. Or better yet, send sources.
And guys... reading the other side done well is DANGEROUS. I found myself going "wait... that's actually a good point" multiple times. By the time I finished my research, my original position had shifted like 30%. I still mostly agree with where I started, but now I understand the complexity way better. My professor said that's actually the goal of good argumentative writing—it forces you to engage with the other side honestly, not just build a straw man to knock down . It's humbling though.
I thought I knew things and it turns out I knew opinions without understanding arguments. Now I have to write the actual paper and my thesis keeps changing. Send help. Or better yet, send sources.