Harris's "Countering"

In Harris’s chapter “countering”, he further expands his views on how to address texts you don’t necessarily agree with. He articulates that, “what distinguishes the practice of countering is that it pushes beyond mere disagreement…But the aim of countering is to open up new lines of inquiry” (Harris 56-57). In this chapter, Harris additionally describes the difference between simply arguing that another author’s point of view is incorrect or flawed and rather his idea of countering or separating your views from a particular text. By doing this, you can show the limits to an author’s argument without forcing your views on another reader. By uncovering values within a text or event, an author then does not only disagree with a text, but also contribute their perspective on the story. Harris further explains that, “our texts always say more than we mean” (Harris 63), in other words, that society plays a huge role in the way people interpret what an author writes. Harris also stresses the importance of an author’s clarity concerning their stance and to use direct language in order to express their opinion in adding to the conversation of a story. Countering can be seen on the New York Times Opinionator blog. One article from February 9^th, 2013, written by Andrew Lang and Caleb McDaniel does just that. “Captivity in Black and White discusses the frailty of freedom during the Civil War. This opinion page on the New York Times is able to bring to light one belief behind one story and does so with civility. The attitude taken within this story enhances the position and supplements for a new line of thinking.