Countering? I think not!

Before I started to read Harris’ chapter on countering I thought countering would be a literary technique used to promote oneself by shutting down another’s work. But as in all Harris’ literary terms and strategies, countering is used to progress and deepen the understanding of a text or opinion. It is “not used to nullify but to suggest a different way of thinking” (56).  When using countering the objective is not to “refute what has been said before, to bring the discussion to an end, but to respond to prior views in ways that move the conversation in new directions” (56). It is not about shutting up your opponent or winning the argument but it is about bring in new evidence and new analysis to change the way in which the argument is going.

Harris believes that there are three ways that countering can be used. The first one involves “showing the usefulness of a term or idea that a writer has criticized” (57). The second is about bringing new information to light, and the third “Identifies a shared line of thought” (57). All three of these facets of countering do not end the argument but simple enhances it by offering a different perspective.

Counter is certainly an interesting literary strategy. Following the CNN political blog might seem like the perfect place to find golden examples of countering because of the many GOP presidential debates that are happening. The contrary is true, the debates and rhetoric are full of ridiculous comments that are not meant to further the discussion but are meant to completely shut down and humiliate the other opponents. A prime example of this was in a article about birth control. In response to a question about birth control Bachman does not further the argument but instead uses the opportunity to rail on Obama and end the discussion.

It is truly sad that this is what politics in our country has come down to. But it’s the truth, these political candidates could not care less about further the discussion through countering. Instead they use countering to make somebody else look bad.