"Countering"

Countering a text is not simply proving that a certain text is wrong or has flaws in areas. Countering is adding to an argument in both its strengths and weaknesses. Harris’s view of countering is to offer a different way of thinking on a particular topic. A deep understanding and close attention is needed for successfully countering in order to properly expand and redirect arguments. The three main methods of countering Harris presents are: arguing the other side, uncovering values, and dissenting. Rarely is an argument completely wrong, arguing the other side addresses the need to look at the other argument to show what the author did well in order to expand on. This can also include looking for something the author may have left unclear. Your argument can be based off clarifying these vague areas in another argument. Uncovering values is looking at the definitions of all the words to see if the author was unclear on a definition or assumed a certain meaning for a word without stating it. Harris writes that noticing what a certain text fails to consider is not an easy task, but is a key to writing good criticism and to establish a good counter. Dissenting is understanding the limits of an idea, and being able to identify when an author has crossed those limits. With a shared idea, you can present how another argument is with in the limits of an idea, supporting yours while offering evidence against the other text.

The Onion counters many arguments presented through major news sources. The goal of the Onion is to provide entertainment and it does this by presenting news stories that are blown out of proportion or intended to show the ridiculousness of an actual news article. The Onion countered a fairly recent article about Peyton Manning posted around the web, notably on Sport Illustrated here. The articles states that Manning, who has had 3 neck surgeries in the past 19 months and vertebrae fused, has been cleared to play football again. The Onion presents a similar article, dissenting Manning’s real ability to play. The question that even though Manning’s neurosurgeon cleared him to play, with his history is it really best for him to continued to get beaten and clubbed. In the Onions satirical manor the article states Manning’s doctor has cleared him to be clubbed and thrown to the ground by 300-pound men. When first reading the article on Sports Illustrated one might think it’s a good thing for him to get back to playing, but realizing some of the truth presented in the Onion article, one might reconsider if it is smart for him to continue playing. The Onion provides some facts that might get over looked when not presented to the reader.