On the Other Hand: The Role of Antithetical Writing in First Year Composition Courses

During the research process, many first year writing students can become attached to their rhetorical positions which suggests an involvement in projects that help students learn and grow as researchers. However, if student researchers explore their stance at the exclusion of other viewpoints, they unintentionally limit their understanding of an issue and their opportunities to persuade those who might disagree. This chapter will help you teach the importance of examining “antithetical writing,” a strategy that can help students revise and refine their thesis during the research writing process.