This document provides guidance on effectively agreeing, disagreeing, or expressing uncertainty about an academic argument. It suggests translating colloquial responses like "yes", "no", or "maybe" into more specific academic language. For agreement, it advises identifying the specific ideas or evidence that are convincing. For disagreement, it recommends pointing to logical flaws, lack of evidence, or contradictions. For uncertainty, it suggests acknowledging potential validity while also noting arguments or evidence that are unconvincing. The document aims to move readers beyond simple responses to more substantive engagement with arguments and evidence.

1. YES: Expressing Agreement
You agree with this
argument. Why?
Suggested Academic
Translation(s)
Yes: Why? Suggested Academic Translation(s)
“This scholar is
brilliant!”
Ask Yourself:
What specific ideas
or theories do you
see as brilliant? Do
you mean the
scholar has
discovered new,
irrefutable evidence?
Perhaps her
argument is
constructed so well
that it practically
argues itself? Point
to specific
element(s) of the
argument or
theoryou find so
valuable or
convincing and
explain why.
Jones’s argument
proves
overwhelmingly
convincing because
_______.
The evidence Smith
presents undoubtedly
proves her point
because _______.
Few readers will likely
argue with Smith’s
theory that _______
because she _______.
“I agree with Wilson,
but I also disagree
with him.”
Ask Yourself:
With which specific
points do you agree,
and with which do
you disagree? Why?
Wilson first argues _______, and
indeed he is correct because
_______. However, when he later
states, _______, he misses the
mark because _______.
Yes, Wilson’s finding of _______ is
accurate; however, his presentation
of _______ is not because _______.
Though Wilson makes an excellent
point about _______, his evidence
on _______ lacks credibility
because _______.
Wilson’s argument of _______
stands up to scrutiny. He rightly
points out, but then later on page
_______, he illustrates that he fails
to consider _______.
NO: Expressing Disagreement
No: Why? Suggested Academic
Translation(s)
No: Why? Suggested Academic Translations(s)
“No way. This is
just stupid.”
Ask Yourself:
What is stupid,
exactly? Is the
entire argument
stupid or just
one particular
idea or
argument?
Figure out
specifically
which elements
of the argument
you feel are
unintelligent and
explain why.
Perhaps you feel
the evidence
The argument Smith
presents fails
logically because
_______.
Smith’s argument
remains
unconvincing
because _______,
The evidence Smith
presents lacks
credibility because
_______.
“Is this guy crazy?
He’s contradicting
himself.”
Ask Yourself:
What is his overall
argument and
what specific
sentences
contradict his
overall argument?
Specify when/how
the author
contradicts
himself. Then,
address why you
feel this
contradiction
makes his overall
argument
Brown first argues _______; however, he
then argues _______. This contradiction
shows his thinking on _______ is wrought
with errors because _______.
Brown’s argument cannot be trusted; he
vacillates on the issue of _______. He first
states, “_______,” but then later, on page
_______, he states, “_______.”

2. lacks credibility? unconvincing, and
perhaps confusing,
for readers.
MAYBE: Expressing Uncertainty
Maybe: Why Suggested Academic
Translation(s)
Maybe: Why Suggested Academic
Translation(s)
“Well, yeah, I’d agree
with that if…”
Ask Yourself:
Specifically which
elements of the argument
do you feel lack
credibility or validity?
What evidence or point
could the author interject
that would convince
you?
● Cohen’s point
may be valid;
however,
_______.
● Although Cohen
rightly points out
_______, his
overall argument
of _______ fails
to convince
because
_______.
● Cohen’s
argument about
_______, though
interesting,
remains
unconvincing
overall because
he fails to
address _______.
“This article started out
interesting, but then it got
weird and confusing.”
Ask Yourself:
What specific points
within the book or article
were “weird,” and what
do you mean by “weird”?
Do you mean the point
presented seems off-
topic in relation to the
author’s overall
discussion.
● The first few
pages of Smith’s
article prove
interesting and
insightful in that
she illustrates
_______.
However, as the
article
progresses, her
discussion on
_______ seems
to veer off topic
because she
_______.
● Although Smith
had a valid point
about _______,
she quickly lost
credibility on page
_______ as she
began to discuss
_______.
“I disagree with almost
everything she wrote, but
at the end she finally
says something right!”
Ask Yourself:
What specific point did
the writer present that
proved convincing to
you? Why do you
disagree with her other
points or evidence?
● It’s difficult to take
a clear stand on
Smith’s work. Her
argument on
_______ proves
invalid because
_______.
However, near
the end of the
article, she points
out _______, and
her evidence of
_______ is
indeed
convincing.