1. How would you, as a writer, respond to the following
advice?
• Omit this paragraph.
• You might consider omitting this paragraph.
• I wonder what you gain by having this paragraph in
here.
2. Direction and Control:
• These arguments are not convincing.
• Explain why drugs are wrong.
3. Qualified evaluations and advice:
• I find the statements that we all know drugs are wrong
less than convincing.
• Your paper might be clearer if you state, point by
point, your opponent's view,as clearly and objectively
as you can.
4. Questions, closed and open:
• Have you proved the "wrongness" of drugs just by
saying that they are?
• What is it that you want me most to know about your
position on LeMoult's article?
5. Reader responses and explanations:
• Your first argument deals with the financial reasons for
legalizing drugs.
• I can tell you feel very strongly about the subject.
• In academic writing, the trick is to express your opinion
with authority.
• Your paper might be clearer if you state, point by
point, your opponent's view, as clearly and
objectively as you can. Then you can deal with each
of his arguments and show the weaknesses in his
position.