How to Disagree with an Author

Of course you can disagree with an author based solely on opinion, but some problems come up when you do not use logical thinking to disagree with an author. We can have discussions and agree to disagree.

In what cases, however, can you legitimately disagree with an author. Generally, you should be able to do one of four things when you want to express a disagreement.

1. You can show where the author seems to be uninformed. You may be able to show some ideas, facts, circumstances, or any kind of information of which the author seemed to be unaware.

2. You can show where the author seems to be misinformed. What incorrect information has he been given? You would have to be able to show the correct information and to show where the information he has been given is incorrect.

3. You can show where the author seems to be underinformed. He may have part of the information, but there may be "more to the story." You would have to show the larger picture or give the other relevant information when disagreeing with an author in this instance. You would also perhaps be showing the author that his analysis is incomplete.

4. You can show where the author seems to be illogical. You would have to be able to show why you think the author's conclusions do not follow from the reasons he has given. Another thing to show would be where the author seems to be inconsistent in his reasoning.

(For more information for this type of thinking, see Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren's excellent work: How to Read a Book.)

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