Reading chapters five and six in Graff, I learned new material I had not previously known. The author provides clear insight and examples into each of the topics he addresses throughout his book.
Chapter five discusses the various ways to incorporate other views and quotes into your paper. The need to address when the writer is speaking and when someone else is speaking in your paper seems to be a fundamental skill. This distinction influences the views that are expressed in your paper through the eyes of your potential readers, making your points clear. I found Graff's discussion of first-person perspective to be most interesting in chapter five. Graff argues that a paper may be just as self-indulgent without the use of the word I (referring to the first person), as a paper that expresses the writer's first-person. Graff further writes, the use of the first person should be limited in certain circumstances to maintain the flow of the paper or article. This first person discussion was very informative to my knowledge regarding this area.
Chapter six addresses the topics of adding critics and "naysayers" to your persuasive argument. Graff discusses adding these critics into your paper to enhance your credibilty, while displaying that you are indeed "open minded." This chapter was very helpful in showing how to refute opposition to your argument, while strengthening your views. I think it is particularly imporatant, after reading this chapter, to display an "open minded" argument to the reader. By not stereotyping various groups (liberals, femenists, etc...) you can also present an open minded argument and may even change your stance during the writing process.
Overall, these two chapters were quite helpful in developing a thought process to write the persuasive argument assignment.
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I also agree on the point you were explaining about addressing the critics. People who teach religion whether in Sunday school or at home, always have to answer that Who? Why? What? question about God. When children growing up can't find the reason to keep practicing their religion, then they have their reasons against it. But if the religion addresses the common misconseptions and doubts, then the child will be more likely to believe in it, given the straightfoward evidence. This is just an example of addressing the "critic" which in this case are the children of a family that practices a religion.
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