Compare your second reading experience with your first. Did you notice something new? Did you react differently to one of the author’s claims? Did you read something critically when, at first, you read it as a believer or vice versa? Continue to “clear the fog.” Look up at least two more terms or references that you don’t know.
The biggest thing that I go from re-reading Strawson’s essay was finding quotes within his use of references that I can use for my essay. After I got over how much I dislike his way of arguing, I could look at his references as sources for inspiration for my own essay. For instance, he includes a really good quote from McAdams that I can draw from. I think that using his references to support my own argument will be very beneficial, and a good way to engage with Strawson in my essay. I can present the quote, and then talk about how my interpretation of it differ’s from Strawson’s use in his argument. I also was able to pinpoint where Strawson says it is “false that everyone stories themselves, and false that it’s always a good thing” as the general main point of his essay. As the essay goes on, it is very difficult to tell exactly what his argument is, but it all sort of follows that main idea. This second reading was helpful for me because it gave me more ways to use Strawson’s essay in my essay, even though I don’t agree with his opinion. I can also draw quotes from him in order to introduce a counter argument within my own essay.
Good. I’m glad that you found the read helpful, despite the fact that you don’t agree with him.