viewpoint

(noun)

The position from which something is observed or considered; an angle, outlook, or point of view.

Related Terms

  • argument
  • audience

Examples of viewpoint in the following topics:

  • Addressing Opposing Viewpoints

    • Being familiar with oppositional viewpoints is a way of strengthening your understanding of your own position.
    • When arguing against a traditional viewpoint, this becomes especially important as you will have a more challenging case to argue.
    • While the previous two examples use the addressing of oppositional arguments to provide a framework to the paper, it is important to include a brief engagement with opposing viewpoints in the opening paragraph.
    • Doing so gives readers a succinct version of the position that will be articulated in the remainder of the paper, as well as a brief explanation of why that position is stronger than opposing viewpoints.
    • It is important to anticipate opposing viewpoints and to respond to them fairly and adequately.
  • Making Concessions

    • Be specific when you address opposing viewpoints.
    • No matter what phrases you use to make concessions, your goal is the same: To demonstrate that you have considered the opposing viewpoint fairly, that you can recognize when the opposition brings up a good point, and that your argument still holds true despite this valid objection .
    • Use arguments that go against your thesis to support your argument by giving opposing viewpoints a fair chance and refuting them thoughtfully
  • Anticipating Potential Objections

    • Not everyone will readily agree with the viewpoint you take in an argument.
    • This means not everyone will agree with your viewpoint.
    • Think about who may be undecided or opposed to your viewpoint.
    • Show how to address readers who may not agree with your viewpoint
  • The Importance of Addressing Opposing Views

    • However, writers may neglect the next step, which is just as important: discussing opposing viewpoints and providing counterarguments.
    • The best way to counteract an opposing viewpoint is to anticipate what an opponent might say.
    • That way, you will be familiar enough with these opposing viewpoints to argue against them.
    • Introducing opposing viewpoints is necessary, but do not stop there.
  • Refuting Your Opposition

    • Present your own argument first, and then present and counteract the opposing viewpoints.  
    • There are four basic parts to a refutation of an opposing argument: you introduce the counterargument, state your objection to it, offer evidence to support your view, and draw a clear conclusion by comparing the viewpoints head to head.
    • Here, you state your objection to the view—the reason the reader should not accept the opposition's viewpoint.
    • You've introduced two valid viewpoints.
  • Representing Objections Fairly

    • If you shortchange the opposing viewpoint, your readers will suspect that you are trying to compensate for shortcomings in your own argument.
    • Your argument will be much stronger if you present opposing viewpoints in a sympathetic light.
  • Brainstorming and Choosing Your Topic

    • He or she wants to see your viewpoint – what you think and how well you can articulate it.
    • Sometimes it is even better to write to a viewpoint that is contrary to what you believe, because it forces you to support the argument to a more convincing degree.
    • In this case, "creative" means that you are adding your own personal viewpoint to the academic conversation that surrounds whatever text you are writing about.
    • When you know the general topic of your paper – say, the play Hamlet – you can start figuring out what your specific viewpoint will be by going to the library and finding scholarly journals and books that cover the play.
    • Those are the ones that probably reveal your viewpoint on the text.
  • Entertaining Objections

    • If you merely give lip service to opposing viewpoints, it will look like you're just going through the motions without a sincere desire to find the best answer.
  • Deciphering the Conversation

    • Be sure to evaluate the author's fairness in assessing opposing viewpoints.
  • Evaluating Sources

    • See if you can find other authors who support the viewpoint in question; if you cannot, be suspicious of its accuracy.
    • One of the best signs of an objective article is the author's ability to discuss alternate viewpoints in a fair way.
Subjects
  • Accounting
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  • Psychology
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  • U.S. History
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  • Writing

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