counter argument difference rebuttal

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counterargument & rebuttal

Strategies for rebuttal, counterargument & rebuttal in writing.

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18 Argument, Counterargument, & Refutation

In academic writing, we often use an Argument essay structure. Argument essays have these familiar components, just like other types of essays:

But Argument essays also contain these particular elements:

Consult Introductions & Titles for more on writing debatable thesis statements and Paragraphs ~ Developing Support for more about developing your Argument.

Imagine that you are writing about vaping. After reading several articles and talking with friends about vaping, you decide that you are strongly opposed to it.

Which working thesis statement would be better?

Vaping should be illegal because it can lead to serious health problems.

Many students do not like vaping.

Because the first option provides a debatable position, it is a better starting point for an Argument essay.

Next, you would need to draft several paragraphs to explain your position. These paragraphs could include facts that you learned in your research, such as statistics about vapers’ health problems, the cost of vaping, its effects on youth, its harmful effects on people nearby, and so on, as an appeal to logos . If you have a personal story about the effects of vaping, you might include that as well, either in a Body Paragraph or in your Introduction, as an appeal to pathos .

A strong Argument essay would not be complete with only your reasons in support of your position. You should also include a Counterargument, which will show your readers that you have carefully researched and considered both sides of your topic. This shows that you are taking a measured, scholarly approach to the topic – not an overly-emotional approach, or an approach which considers only one side. This helps to establish your ethos as the author. It shows your readers that you are thinking clearly and deeply about the topic, and your Concession (“this may be true”) acknowledges that you understand other opinions are possible.

Here are some ways to introduce a Counterargument:

Your paragraph would then go on to explain more about this position; you would give evidence here from your research about the point of view that opposes your own opinion.

Here are some ways to begin a Concession and Refutation:

Your paragraph would then continue your Refutation by explaining more reasons why the Counterargument is weak. This also serves to explain why your original Argument is strong. This is a good opportunity to prove to your readers that your original Argument is the most worthy, and to persuade them to agree with you.

Activity ~ Practice with Counterarguments, Concessions, and Refutations

A. Examine the following thesis statements with a partner. Is each one debatable?

B. Write your own Counterargument, Concession, and Refutation for each thesis statement.

Thesis Statements:

Is this chapter:

…too easy, or you would like more detail? Read “ Further Your Understanding: Refutation and Rebuttal ” from Lumen’s Writing Skills Lab.

Note: links open in new tabs.

reasoning, logic

emotion, feeling, beliefs

moral character, credibility, trust, authority

goes against; believes the opposite of something

ENGLISH 087: Academic Advanced Writing by Nancy Hutchison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Counter Argument

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In writing an argumentative essay, your goal is to persuade an audience that your claim is correct. You research, think about your topic deeply, and determine what information will support that argument. However, strong argumentation requires you to address opposing views. How will you incorporate them into your essay? How will you prove your argument is the better one? Identifying and addressing counterarguments will make your argumentative essays stronger.

Counterargument Meaning

A counterargument is a contrasting or opposing argument. Counterarguments are common in persuasive writing. In argumentation, you are trying to convince an audience of your claim. C laims are the writer's main ideas and position. In an argumentative essay, your goal is for the audience to believe your claim. To convince your audience that your claim is correct, you will need reasons –the evidence that supports your claim.

The counterargument is the opposing argument to the one you are writing about. You include counterarguments in your writing to form a rebuttal . A rebuttal is where you explain why your position is stronger than the counterargument. When incorporating counterarguments in your essay, you will need to know the counterargument's claims and reasons. For example, in an essay about whether teachers should assign homework, you take the position that teachers should not give homework. The counterargument is that teachers should assign homework.

To write about this counterargument, you will need to explain the claims and reasons why teachers should assign homework. You will refute these points and spend the rest of your essay explaining why teachers should not assign homework.

Counter Argument, Illustration of silhouettes of two men sitting and debating, StudySmarter

Counterargument Example

The example above demonstrates how a writer may present the counterargument to the claim that teachers should not assign homework.

While some researchers advocate for teachers' limiting homework, others find teachers should assign homework to reinforce content and skills learned in school. According to an analysis of multiple studies done examining the effects of homework on academic achievement by Cooper et al. (2006), homework for grades 7-12 positively affected students' educational outcomes, such as grades on unit tests and national exams. 1 Cooper et al. (2006) found consistency across studies that 1.5-2.5 hours per day of homework was the optimal amount for students to complete. Students gain practice and exposure to the material through this practice, which increases academic performance. Other research found that homework may not be as effective as Cooper et al. (2006) suggest. Galloway et al. (2013) argue that teachers assigning homework often do not follow these recommendations, negatively impacting students. 2

Based on survey results from Galloway et al. (2013), secondary students reported having an average of 3 hours of homework per night, an estimate higher than Cooper et al.'s (2006) recommendation. This amount of homework negatively impacted students since it increased mental stress and decreased time spent on socialization. This research shows that while assigning homework may benefit students, teachers do not follow best practices and instead harm students. Teachers should err on the side of not giving homework to prevent placing too much stress on students.

This paragraph addresses the counterargument: why teachers should assign homework. The first part of the paragraph addresses why teachers should assign homework and cites research on the optimal way teachers should assign it. The counterargument contains strong evidence and claims on why teachers should assign homework.

This evidence improves the essay because it strengthens the rebuttal. The writer needs to address the counterargument's convincing claims in the rebuttal, which makes the rebuttal and overall argument more persuasive. The second half of the paragraph is the rebuttal to this argument. It cites research on how teachers do not frequently use these best practices and harm students. The rebuttal also directly addresses the counterargument about these best practices.

Purpose of Counterarguments

There are several reasons why you may include counterarguments in your writing. First, counterarguments and rebuttals strengthen your overall argument . It seems counterintuitive, but your overall argument becomes stronger when you outline and address opposing views. By incorporating and rebutting opposing claims, you challenge the validity of the counterargument. If you can effectively address and rebuke your opposition, your argument will appear more credible to your audience than the counterargument.

Second, it will help you persuade your audience that your position is correct, especially if they are skeptical of your position. Arguments can be one-sided , which do not include counterarguments or opposing views, or multisided , which incorporate multiple views. One-sided arguments work best for an audience who already accepts your claims and reasoning. Because your audience already believes your idea, you do not have to spend time addressing opposing opinions.

In a multisided argument , you present counterarguments, include rebuttals, and argue why your position is stronger. This method works best for an audience with diverse opinions because you show you understand their beliefs while advocating for your position. Counterarguments help convince your audience that your position is correct. You acknowledge their beliefs while explaining why your position is better.

Counter Argument, Three candidates at a presidential debate, StudySmarter

Counterarguments in an Essay

In academic writing, you can incorporate several strategies for including counterarguments. Often, addressing the counterarguments is kept to one paragraph within the essay. This section outlines a common essay structure for incorporating counterarguments, how to write them, and strategies for creating your counterarguments.

Structuring an Argumentative Essay

Writers, all the way from antiquity, have thought about the best way to incorporate opposing viewpoints into their writing. Writers can choose several ways to structure an argumentative essay to have counterarguments. The most common method is the classical structure, which originated in Ancient Greece. There are four main parts to this structure.

Memorable statement or information to gain readers' attention.

Present background information necessary to your argument.

State your primary claim or thesis.

Discuss how you will structure your overall argument by outlining your main claims and counterarguments.

Writer's position

The central part of your essay.

State your claim(s) and supporting evidence.

Incorporate hard evidence or other rhetorical appeals as reasons to help you support your claims.

Counterarguments

Outline alternative points of view in a non-biased manner.

Refute their claims by discussing negative aspects of the counterargument.

May concede to the positive aspects of the counterargument.

Explain why your view is preferable to others.

Summarize your primary claim or thesis.

Explain the importance of your argument based on background information.

Encourage the audience to act on this information.

Counter Argument, Painting of Socrates debating others, StudySmarter

Strategies for Addressing Counterarguments

Remember that arguments can be one-sided or multisided. If you are writing a multisided argument , you will need to know how to address counterarguments based on your audience's views. There are several strategies for addressing counterarguments and forming your rebuttals . The two major categories for these strategies include refutation and concession.

Refutation describes the process of showing how the counterargument contains logical fallacies or is not supported with evidence . Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning. You can point out these logical fallacies to discredit and weaken an argument . Refutation is a good strategy if you are trying to convince an audience who may be more sympathetic toward your viewpoint. There are several ways you can refute a counterargument.

Concession is the rebuttal strategy of admitting that an opposing argument is correct. However, you will show that your claims are stronger since it has better reasons to support them. For example, you may write an essay about why teachers should not assign homework. You would concede that the research on the homework is correct. However, you would present multiple pieces of evidence and explain how this research shows teachers should not support homework.

There are two reasons why you may want to include concessions in your writing. First, a concession is a good strategy if your audience is sympathetic to the counterargument. Because you acknowledge the strength of the counterargument, you will not alienate your audience. Second, a concession may strengthen your argument . Because you explain that the counterargument is strong, you can increase the strength of your overall argument by including more convincing evidence on why your position is correct.

Writing a Counterargument Paragraph

Often, counterarguments for papers in school are around a paragraph in length. To begin writing a counterargument, research the opposing views. You will need to do this research to understand the reasons and claims behind the opposing viewpoint. This research selects the opposing viewpoint's most substantial claims and reasons. Begin your counterargument paragraph by summarizing and explaining these claims. Your argument will be more persuasive if you can engage and address the counterargument's most compelling information.

After describing the opposing viewpoints, write the rebuttal in the second half of the paragraph. You will want to select one of the strategies above to address the counterargument. The counterargument you choose will depend on the audience and your goals. Remember, a skeptical audience may find concession more persuasive, while a neutral or supportive audience may support refutation. In the rebuttal, address the specific reasons and claims from the counterargument. You will want to use research to support your rebuttal.

Whether you place the counterargument or your main argument first depends on your goals. A counterargument rebutted using refutation is traditionally near the end of the essay after discussing your main points. After laying out your claims and evidence , you can use this information to form the evidence you will use to create your rebuttal against the counterargument. If you primarily want to use concessions , it will be better near the beginning of the paper after the introduction. Because your main points show how your argument is stronger, you will want to introduce the opposing viewpoint at the beginning.

Counter Argument - Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions about Counter Argument

--> what's a counterargument.

A counterargument is a contrasting or opposing argument. Counterarguments are common in argumentative essays. The counterargument is the opposing argument to the one you are writing about. You include counterarguments in your writing to form a rebuttal . A rebuttal is where you explain why your position is stronger than the counterargument.

--> How to start a counterargument paragraph?

To begin writing a counterargument, research the opposing views. You will need to do this research to understand the reasons and claims behind the opposing viewpoint. From this research, select the opposing viewpoint's strongest claims and reasons. Begin your counterargument paragraph summarizing and explaining these claims.

--> How should a counterargument be presented?

There are several strategies for addressing counterarguments and forming your rebuttals. The two major categories for these strategies include refutation and concession. Refutation describes the process of showing how the counterargument contains logical fallacies or is not supported with evidence. Concession is the strategy of admitting that an opposing argument is correct.

--> How to write a counterargument paragraph

Begin your counterargument paragraph by summarizing and explaining the claims. After describing the opposing viewpoints, write the rebuttal in the second half of the paragraph. The counterargument you choose will depend on the audience and your goals. A skeptical audience may find concession more persuasive, while a neutral or supportive audience may support refutation.

--> How does a counterargument strengthen your argument?

Your argument becomes stronger because you have to address your opposition's claims. If you can effectively address and rebuke your opposition's arguments, your argument will appear more credible to your audience. It will help you persuade your audience that your argument is correct, especially if they are skeptical of your position.

Final Counter Argument Quiz

A red herring is a(n) _____ used to divert an argument away from its resolution.

Irrelevant idea

Is a red herring an informal or formal fallacy?

Although red herrings are irrelevant ideas, they are not _____.

Red herrings often share something in common with the _____, which adds to the deception.

Red herrings frequently contain emphatic language and truisms, both of which are hard to ignore. True or false?

Red herrings rarely end in a question or turn, so as not to draw attention. True or false?

False. Red herrings also frequently end in a question or turn, in order to push the false line of reasoning.

The red herring works toward what, argumentatively?

Toward a stalemate: toward a return to the status quo.

A red herring is not a well-meaning but misguided attempt to get to the bottom of something by looking at that 'something' from a different angle. True or false?

The argument that a red herring starts is sometimes a good argument to have, because sometimes it may shed light on a different topic. True or false?

_____ demands answers. Red herrings distract from _____, and thus they are a logical fallacy.

Should you try to answer a red herring directly?

No. If someone uses a red herring, point out the fallacy and return to the original argument.

To avoid writing a red herring, _____ your essay.

To avoid writing a red herring, don't _____.

Only use a red herring when all else fails. True or false?

False. Never use one.

If you are quoting an article that uses the expression "red herring," what should you do before citing that part of the article?

Understand if the usage is colloquial or if it is an accurate use of the term.

While exaggeration is a powerful tool in satirical contexts, exaggerating an argument is a _____.

Logical fallacy.

_____ occurs when someone counters an exaggeratedly inaccurate version of another’s argument.

A straw man fallacy

Why is the straw man argument a fallacy?

A straw man argument is a logical fallacy because it counters an argument that is not being made.

A very specific argument will prevent an opponent from creating a straw man argument.

Should you counter a straw man argument? Why or why not?

Do not attempt to "counter" a straw man argument. Attempting to counter a fallacy will only get you off track. Instead, identify its illogical use in argumentation altogether.

Is the straw man the same as a reductio ad absurdum argument?

How might you spot a straw man argument?

Search for exaggeration in a claim. Find a counterpoint that does not address the original argument.

How does knowing your opponent's argument help you to avoid the straw man fallacy?

If you know what your opponent is really trying to say, you will not address an incorrect argument.

To avoid the staw man argument, make as bold, clear, and big claims as possible. This will act as a wakeup call. True or false?

Don't limit yourself to understanding one side of an argument.

Explain why this concept is important.

If you don’t go out of your box, you are liable to think that your opponent’s arguments are more extreme than they might be; and when this happens, you are not arguing against your opponent any longer… you are arguing against a straw man.

How is a red herring different from a straw man?

A red herring does not counter the argument at all; whereas a straw man counters an exaggerated form of an argument.

Does "straw man" have an alternate spelling?

An irrelevant conclusion is a kind of straw man. True or false?

Which of the following is not a logical fallacy to which Straw Man is related?

Is a straw man argument a fallacy of relevance? Why or why not?

Yes, because it appeals to evidence unrelated to the original conclusion.

What is a counterargument?

A counterargument is a contrasting or opposing argument.

What is a rebuttal?

A rebuttal is where you explain why your position is stronger than the counterargument.

What is a one-sided argument?

An argument that does not contain opposing viewpoints.

What is a multisided argument?

A multisided argument contains multiple viewpoints.

What is refutation?

Refutation describes the process of showing how the counterargument contains logical fallacies or is not supported with evidence.

What is concession?

Concession is the rebuttal strategy of admitting that an opposing argument is correct.

Which of the following is NOT part of the classical structure?

Counterfactuals

Select the following two (2) statements that explain the purpose of including counterarguments.

Counterarguments strengthen your argument since you explain the opposing view and why your viewpoint is stronger.

Which rebuttal strategy would work best for an audience who shares your beliefs?

Which rebuttal strategy would work best for an audience who does not share your beliefs?

What should a writer do first when planning a counterargument paragraph?

Research the opposing views

What should a writer write first when crafting a counterargument paragraph?

Summarizing and explaining the claims.

Your overall argument becomes _ when you outline and address opposing views.

In a _ argument, you present counterarguments, include rebuttals, and argue why your position is stronger.

What are the four main parts to the structure of an argumentative essay?

Writer’s position

Counterarguments

What is a logical fallacy?

Errors in reasoning

What are some ways that writers can refute a counterargument?

-Identify logical fallacies

-Point out unstated assumptions made in the argument

-Find counterexamples

-Question the data used to support the counterargument

-Show how the counterargument’s experts are flawed

What are the two reasons writers might want to include concessions?

1. A concession is a good strategy if your audience is sympathetic to the counterargument.

2. A concession may strengthen your argument.

A _ audience may find concession more persuasive, while a _ or _ audience may support refutation.

A skeptical audience may find concession more persuasive, while a neutral or supportive audience may support refutation.

Two strategies for rebutting your counterargument include:

Refutation and concession.

of the users don't pass the Counter Argument quiz! Will you pass the quiz?

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Counterarguments

A counterargument involves acknowledging standpoints that go against your argument and then re-affirming your argument. This is typically done by stating the opposing side’s argument, and then ultimately presenting your argument as the most logical solution. The counterargument is a standard academic move that is used in argumentative essays because it shows the reader that you are capable of understanding and respecting multiple sides of an argument.

Counterargument in two steps

Respectfully acknowledge evidence or standpoints that differ from your argument.

Refute the stance of opposing arguments, typically utilizing words like “although” or “however.”

In the refutation, you want to show the reader why your position is more correct than the opposing idea.

Where to put a counterargument

Can be placed within the introductory paragraph to create a contrast for the thesis statement.

May consist of a whole paragraph that acknowledges the opposing view and then refutes it.

Can be one sentence acknowledgements of other opinions followed by a refutation.

Why use a counterargument?

Some students worry that using a counterargument will take away from their overall argument, but a counterargument may make an essay more persuasive because it shows that the writer has considered multiple sides of the issue. Barnet and Bedau (2005) propose that critical thinking is enhanced through imagining both sides of an argument. Ultimately, an argument is strengthened through a counterargument.

Examples of the counterargument structure

Harvey, G. (1999). Counterargument. Retrieved from writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/counter- argument

Westmoreland, C. (2006; 2007). “Alternative Tests and the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive.” Hester, R. E., & Harrison, R. M. (Ed.) Alternatives to animal testing (1st Ed.). Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.

Barnet, S., Bedau, H. (Eds.). (2006). Critical thinking, reading, and writing . Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Contributor: Nathan Lachner

Module: Academic Argument

Introduction to rebuttal and refutation of counterargument, what you’ll learn to do: evaluate strategies for rebuttal and refutation of counterargument.

An integral part of composing a strong argument is including counterargument. This can be difficult, especially if a writer is arguing for a position s/he already agrees with. In such cases, writers can sometimes make good points to support their stances; however, their arguments are vulnerable unless they anticipate and address counterarguments. When a writer does this, it is often referred to as rebuttal or refutation. Some scholars of rhetoric differentiate the two words in terms of if you can actually disprove a claim or just argue against it; however, in this section, we will use the terms as basically interchangeable to help get you more used to their function in argument.

When writers are able to skillfully rebut or refute a view that runs counter to their claims, it strengthens their work. Rebuttal and refutation are common in all types of argument, including academic argument. As you complete more advanced work in college, you will be expected to address counterargument often. And while you might not always need to or be able to prove that other points of view are wrong, you may at least need to try to argue against them.

Rebuttal and Refutation. Provided by : University of Mississippi. Project : PLATO Project. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike

Purdue Online Writing Lab College of Liberal Arts

counter argument difference rebuttal

Rebuttal Sections

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This resource outlines the generally accepted structure for introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions in an academic argument paper. Keep in mind that this resource contains guidelines and not strict rules about organization. Your structure needs to be flexible enough to meet the requirements of your purpose and audience.

In order to present a fair and convincing message, you may need to anticipate, research, and outline some of the common positions (arguments) that dispute your thesis. If the situation (purpose) calls for you to do this, you will present and then refute these other positions in the rebuttal section of your essay.

It is important to consider other positions because in most cases, your primary audience will be fence-sitters. Fence-sitters are people who have not decided which side of the argument to support.

People who are on your side of the argument will not need a lot of information to align with your position. People who are completely against your argument—perhaps for ethical or religious reasons—will probably never align with your position no matter how much information you provide. Therefore, the audience you should consider most important are those people who haven't decided which side of the argument they will support—the fence-sitters.

In many cases, these fence-sitters have not decided which side to align with because they see value in both positions. Therefore, to not consider opposing positions to your own in a fair manner may alienate fence-sitters when they see that you are not addressing their concerns or discussion opposing positions at all.

Organizing your rebuttal section

Following the TTEB method outlined in the Body Paragraph section, forecast all the information that will follow in the rebuttal section and then move point by point through the other positions addressing each one as you go. The outline below, adapted from Seyler's Understanding Argument , is an example of a rebuttal section from a thesis essay.

When you rebut or refute an opposing position, use the following three-part organization:

The opponent’s argument : Usually, you should not assume that your reader has read or remembered the argument you are refuting. Thus, at the beginning of your paragraph, you need to state, accurately and fairly, the main points of the argument you will refute.

Your position : Next, make clear the nature of your disagreement with the argument or position you are refuting. Your position might assert, for example, that a writer has not proved his assertion because he has provided evidence that is outdated, or that the argument is filled with fallacies.

Your refutation : The specifics of your counterargument will depend upon the nature of your disagreement. If you challenge the writer’s evidence, then you must present the more recent evidence. If you challenge assumptions, then you must explain why they do not hold up. If your position is that the piece is filled with fallacies, then you must present and explain each fallacy.

Counterargument and Rebuttal

essaypop counterargument , rebuttal 0

“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” — Rumi

What is counterargument.

Oftentimes, and especially in persuasive responses, the essayist will need to take on an opponent with a different point of view. There are two parts to this exchange. The part where an opponent attacks your argument is known as the counter-argument , and the part where you answer back is called the rebuttal .

One might reasonably ask, “Why in the world would I provide any space in my essay for someone who wants to weaken my argument. It is actually very important that you do provide your reader with the counterargument to your own argument. According the Purdue Online Writing Workshop, “ In order to present a fair and convincing message, you may need to anticipate, research, and outline some of the common positions (arguments) that dispute your thesis.”

Presenting the opposing viewpoint actually strengthens your own argument because it shows you to be credible, fair-minded and unafraid. It also gives you the opportunity to fight back smartly. Moreover, adding these elements adds length to your paper.

What is Rebuttal?

The rebuttal is you opportunity to turn the tables on your opponent. In court, you might hear the judge say, “Now that you’ve heard the accusations, have you a rebuttal?” As an essayist, of course you have a rebuttal. Since you’ve fairly presented the other side’s opinion in the counter-argument, you may now present your own reasoned rebuttal arguments to undo or deflect any damage that may have been done.

These arguments are usually delivered using a polite and formal tone, which shows you are in control of the situation and unintimidated. The calm warrior is often the most effective adversary. Some writers even compliment their opponent for holding the views that they do, before introducing their own rebuttal. If time allows we recommend that you try to deliver two rebuttals for each of your opponent’s counterarguments. This will clearly give you the advantage in the argument.

Counterargument Models

For your convenience the counterarguments are highlighted in salmon and the rebuttals are highlighted in gray ..

Type of essay: persuasive/ argument The prompt: In a concise, multiple-paragraph-essay, take a stand on whether or not you believe public schools should be allowed to require students to wear school uniforms. The Pop: Mandatory dress codes in public violate students’ civil rights. [350-450 words]

Template Formula: [ H + TS + RD + INT + CA + REB1 + REB2 + C ] Word Count: 382

Recently, principal McGuire announced her intention to institute a school wide uniform policy at our school. Needless to say, the news has created quite a stir; much of it quite negative. I am with those who oppose this policy. A mandatory dress code at school is quite simply a flagrant violation of young people’s’ civil rights. Afterall, The First Amendment of our United States Constitution states that “Congress cannot pass laws abridging the freedom of speech.” Our forefathers did not intend to have any American citizen’s right to reasonably express him or herself taken away by anybody at any time, no matter their age. This constitutional protection allows us to speak out against politicians who we disagree with. It allows us to write articles that might be controversial or even offensive to some. And it certainly extends to students who might want to wear some loose-fitting jeans or a punk-rock tee shirt. Expressing one’s style, politics or ideas with one’s choice of clothing is no different than doing so with words spoken aloud or written down on paper. Of course, there are those such as more conservative parents and school administrators who think that a school dress code is the key to maintaining law and order and a sense of discipline on campus. These critics of free dress may even cite studies demonstrating that schools that instill dress codes have fewer incidents of crime and graffiti. However, these small improvements do not make up for the great damaged caused by violating students’ basic civil rights. Hey, young man, give up a few of your rights and we’ll promise you a peaceful environment. It’s the wrong message to send young people. Besides, it isn’t the students’ responsibility to create law and order on campus. This is the responsibility of the teachers, administrators and, to some degree, parents. If a school can’t keep the peace when students are wearing their own choice of fashion, then perhaps the school itself should look more closely at its own policies and practices, and not at some kid’s sagging blue jeans or Yeezy tee shirt with holes in it. Undoubtedly, despite the opinions of some misguided critics, forcing students to wear school uniforms if they do not wish to is a crass violation of their basic constitutional rights.

Type of essay: narrative procedure (how-to) The prompt: What is the most important ingredient in a well-made peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the peanut butter, the jelly or the bread? [350-400 words]

Template Formula: H + TS + B + RD + INT + CA + REB + C ] Word Count: 355

Many a volatile argument has erupted over which ingredient in a PB and J is the most critical. You have the peanut butter crowd who argue that P and B are the first two letters in the name, and, well, enough said. There are the sweet-toothed jelly fans who contend that it is the sweet ingredient that provides all the flavor. In fact, both of these groups are dead wrong. As a peanut butter and jelly expert, I can assure you that it is the type of bread you choose that determines whether the sandwich will be acceptable or not. If you mess this part up, you will have a disaster on your hands. So, what kind of bread should be used? According to the experts, a crusty loaf is too thick and will overwhelm the flavors of the peanut butter and jelly. Pumpernickel and rye are also unsuitable for this type of sandwich due to their strong flavors. Most PB and J aficionados prefer a simple, thin and soft white or wheat bread. Pepperidge farm plain white bread is considered by some to be the best choice. (Bon Appetit) It may seem odd put so much thought into choosing bread, but, as you can see, the experts are quite clear. Too much bread, and you mask the flavor of the really important flavors (the PB & the J). Too many strong flavors and you camouflage these ingredients as well. So it seems that for this particular sandwich, the quaint simplicity of good ol’ plain white is what the doctor ordered. Naturally, there will be those who insist that a wheat bread with fiber and grains is required because it is healthier or because it has more complex textures and flavors. But we’re not talking about gourmet cuisine here; we’re making a good, ol’ fashion PB & J. We can save the fancy ingredients for a special occasion. Plus, as mentioned above, you want to keep the strong flavors and textures to a minimum. Undeniably, the type of bread one chooses is the most important consideration when designing and creating the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Type of essay: persuasive/ argument The prompt: In a concise, multiple-paragraph-essay, take a stand on whether or not you believe the author’s contention that pitbull terriers should be banned from public spaces.

Template Formula: H + TS + CA + REB1 + REB2 + C ] Word Count: 343

Many people have been reeled in and hoodwinked by misleading media accounts of pitbulls attacking people in public. They contend that any attempt to defend these dogs is irresponsible and an invitation to disaster. The author of the article we read contends that these dogs should be banned from public spaces. I could not disagree more, but let’s take a closer look at some of the concerns about these animals. One common argument that pitbull detractors use is that pitbulls are demonstrably vicious creatures that have been proven to attack people at a much higher rate than any other breed. These critics, like the author of the article, contend that “pitbulls are involved in more than 60 % of canine attacks on humans” and are therefore untrustworthy. Based on these facts, one might conclude that pitbulls are indeed vicious creatures that need to be carefully monitored and controlled. At least that is what the author concludes. But what the information doesn’t reflect is that most of these attacks occur during scheduled dog fights or during fight training. It’s not the breed, it’s the context in which they are forced to live, train and perform. If one were to train french poodles to attack other dogs for sport from the time they were puppies, then we would likely hear frequent media reports about the scourge of french poodle attacks in our cities and public spaces. Sure pitbulls bite more people than other breeds, but the information that pitbull detractors like this author fail to divulge when they present their “damning evidence” against pitbulls is where and how the attacks are occurring. The attacks are mostly not happening in the place where normal people frequent. Their statistics are not coming from parks or schools or normal neighborhoods. They are mostly taking place in areas where the dogs fight or are training to fight. Omitting this important fact is tantamount to lying It would seem that those who wish to malign the pitbull breed, including this author, are not above skewing the data to fit their needs.

You’ll notice that this response doesn’t feature a research detail or an interpretation. Instead it goes directly into counterargument and rebuttal.

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Unit 6: Argumentative Essay Writing

41 Counterargument and Refutation Development

In an argumentative essay, you need to convince your audience that your opinion is the most valid opinion. To do so, your essay needs to be balanced—it needs an opposing (opposite) viewpoint, known as a counter-argument . Even though you are arguing one side of an issue, you must include what someone from the other side would say. After your opponent’s view, include a refutation to demonstrate why the other point of view is wrong.

Identifying Counterarguments

There are many ways to identify alternative perspectives.

Example Argument

In the conversation below the writer talks to someone with the opposite opinion. Roberto thinks professors should incorporate Facebook into their teaching. Fatima argues the opposing side. This discussion helps the writer identify a counterargument.

Roberto: I think professors should incorporate Facebook into their teaching . Students could connect with each other in and out of the classroom. ( Position and pro-argument )

Fatima : Hmmm… that could work, but I don’t think it’s a very good idea . Not all students are on Facebook. Some students don’t want to create accounts and share their private information. ( Counterargument )

Roberto: Well…. students could create an account that’s just for the course.

Fatima : Maybe, but some students won’t want to use their personal accounts and would find it troublesome to create an additional “temporary class account.” Plus, I think more young people prefer Instagram.

Example Counterargument paragraph

Roberto used information from the conversation and evidence from sources to write the counterargument paragraph. This paragraph concludes with a concession of validity and is followed by the refutation.

Example Refutation paragraph

Counterargument and refutation stems.

Below are the stems organized in a table.

Watch this video

The video refers to counterarguments as “counterclaims” and refutations as “rebuttals.

From: Karen Baxley

someone who presents a counterargument; someone who pretends to be against the issue for the sake of discussing the issue

Academic Writing I by UW-Madison ESL Program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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️ Counter argument. Counter Argument Essay. 2019-01-07
Counter Argument And Rebuttal
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😍 What is counter argument mean. What does counterargument mean?. 2019-01-17
How To Write An Efficient Counter Argument In A Few Simple Steps
Counter Argument And Rebuttal Definition

VIDEO

Counter Argument Post Details
Counter attack #backkick
7 Explicit for ctors taking more than one argument【C++标准11-14】
Counterexample Method
Sushma Swaraj's rebuttal to Nawaz Sharif at UNGA
How to Properly Use Inflection in Your Debate Speech (Ep. 32)

COMMENTS

How Do I Write a Rebuttal Statement?
The best way to write a rebuttal statement is to start with a strong thesis statement that will present the person’s argument and defend the position on a statement or an accusation made against him.
How Do You Write a Rebuttal to a Performance Appraisal?
To write a rebuttal to a negative performance review, an employee should quote the erroneous sections of the review that need rebuttal. The individual should keep a positive tone throughout the letter and express optimism regarding the reso...
What Is a Central Argument?
A central argument is the cornerstone of any good paper. It is either what the writer wants to persuade the readers to think or the purpose of the essay. It can be summed up in one or two sentences, and should always be concise and straight...
Counterargument & Rebuttal
Counterargument: A counterargument is an argument (point/reason/view/evidence) that your opponent would make. Rebuttal: A rebuttal is when you respond
COUNTER-ARGUMENT AND REBUTTAL
A counter-argument can appear anywhere in your essay, but it most commonly appears: • As part of your introduction—before you propose your thesis—where the
Argument, Counterargument, & Refutation
18 Argument, Counterargument, & Refutation · Debatable thesis statement in the Introduction · Argument – paragraphs which show support for the author's thesis (
What are the differences and similarities between a counter ...
In meaning, those concepts are very close. · The Counter argument is usually a part of a speech. · A “Rebuttal” is the last speech each side presents. · This
Writing the Counterargument and Rebuttal
How to write a counterargument and a rebuttal for an argumentative essay.
Counter Argument: Meaning, Examples & Purpose
The counterargument is the opposing argument to the one you are writing about. You include counterarguments in your writing to form a rebuttal. A rebuttal is
Counterarguments
Respectfully acknowledge evidence or standpoints that differ from your argument. · Refute the stance of opposing arguments, typically utilizing
Introduction to Rebuttal and Refutation of Counterargument
When writers are able to skillfully rebut or refute a view that runs counter to their claims, it strengthens their work. Rebuttal and refutation are common in
Rebuttal Sections
Your refutation: The specifics of your counterargument will depend upon the nature of your disagreement. If you challenge the writer's evidence
Counterargument and Rebuttal
Oftentimes, and especially in persuasive responses, the essayist will need to take on an opponent with a different point of view. There are two parts to this
Counterargument and Refutation Development
41 Counterargument and Refutation Development. In an argumentative essay, you need to convince your audience that your opinion is the most valid opinion.