ClearTips: Powerful paragraphs
Undermine a premise at the end of a paragraph
Undermining an idea is a clever way to make your point stand
out while taking the claws out of an opposing view. The decision about
undermining at the beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph depends on
how much information you want to give in support of the premise.
Undermining at the end of a paragraph is like concluding
with the point—but in a backhanded way. It shows your understanding
of an alternative point of view—then slams the direction of the argument
into reverse.
Undermining can:
- highlight an opponent's flaws or weaknesses
- present (and refute) a common misconception
- introduce tension or create the atmosphere
of debate
It is widely believed, especially by labor union officials,
that the fall of the blue collar industrial worker in the developed
countries was largely, if not entirely, caused by moving production
"offshore" to countries with abundant supplies of unskilled
labor and low wage rates. But this is not true.
In the above example, your readers have an immediate
clue that you don't agree with the premise (It is widely believed).
The strong statement at the end (But this is not true) leaves
no doubt about your position, presumably to be elaborated in the following
paragraph.
Here is another paragraph that undermines the opening
point at the end:
Whenever an attempt is made to marry economics with
Charles Darwin, it is well to raise a sceptical eyebrow. And the case
for scepticism is all the stronger when natural selection is invoked
to explain some pattern of things which, pretty clearly, could be
changed by a simple act of will. For many years it has been argued
that the present shape of the American corporation, in which a vast
and dispersed group of shareholders exercises little or no control
over the firm's managers, is in some way preordained. Organising firms
like this, runs the argument, is simply the most efficient way of
adapting to the demands of modern capitalism. This view has its
alluring points, but is wrong.
Think of a premise you disagree with, opening
it with a phrase like:
- It is widely believed
- Many people think
- It may seem
- At first glance
Then give the reader a few details about the
premise, details that you can later turn to your advantage
as you support your points. Along the way, you might intersperse
such phrases as "it is argued" and "so goes
the argument," to remind readers that you are not presenting
your own view. Last, shift the direction of the argument
by undermining the premise, perhaps signaling the shift
with:
- Yet
- But
- Actually
- A closer look reveals
- On the contrary
Back to Powerful paragraphs •
Next
|