How to use documents that don't "fit" into an argument you are making 1.

Downplay it: Try to downplay it by stating that it is not representative of what really happened. Ex. Even though Meng Jiang Nu died, building the wall saved other lives because the Mongols might have invaded and killed people. 2. Save it for your conclusion: Use it as a counterexample and a new idea in your conclusion: Ex. Although Shi Huangdi had many successes, he also caused great suffering for his people. For example, the legend of Meng Jiang Nu shows . . . " 3. Broaden your thesis to account for it: Take the counterargument into account. In other words, acknowledge it and deal with it up front as part of the thesis. Ex. Even though he was often described as a tyrant, everything he did benefitted China. OR Ex. To accomplish these things, Shi Huangdi used brutal, harsh, and awful tactics.