Counterargument Practice

Counterarguments

Concession & Refutation

What is a Concession?

A statement or argument that is opposite of, or is directly against, your opinion/argument.

(Be sure to make it clear that it is someone else's opinion, not your own)

Example:

Claim - Girl Scout cookies are the best type of cookie. 

Concession - Some people might claim that Oreos are superior to all other cookies. 

Multiple Choice

What is the appropriate concession to this argument: Free healthcare should be accessible for all citizens.

• Some people might say that free healthcare would be too costly for the government to sustain.

• Free healthcare would be great for all citizens, especially the elderly and young children.

Multiple Choice

What is the appropriate concession to this argument: Graffiti should never be considered art.

• Graffiti is defacement of public property and should have harsher legal consequences.

• There are those who might claim that graffiti, like all art, is about free expression.

What is a Refutation?

The refutation is your comeback to the concession that proves you are still more correct.

(Transition wording like "but", "however", or "this is incorrect because" should be used)

Example:

• My argument: Barnes and Noble is the best bookseller in the United States.

•  Concession: You might think that Amazon is cheaper, ships items faster, and is therefore “better”.

• My Refutation: However, the fact that Barnes and Noble has successful stores AND online sales proves that it is superior to an internet-only bookseller. 

A high-quality refutation should...

State your side of the argument, refute (prove wrong) the concession, and give sufficient evidence to PROVE why you are right.

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following counterargument: “Some people believe that it is unfair to make students wear uniforms, and they have a point.”

• States a concession, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the concession, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following counterargument: “Some students believe that it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms, but the school has good reasons.”

• States a refutation, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the concession, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following counterargument: “Some students believe that it is unfair to be forced to wear uniforms, but they’re being immature. School is for learning, not fashion shows, and anyone who is that worried about an outfit has serious issues."

• States a refutation, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the concession, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Correct Example:

“Uniforms are critical to learning. Some students believe it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms because it stifles their creativity and personal expression. However, the true purpose of school is to learn, and uniforms have been statistically shown to improve the learning environment.”

Correct Example:

Uniforms are critical to learning. Some students believe it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms because it stifles their creativity and personal expression. However, the true purpose of school is to learn, and uniforms have been statistically shown to improve the learning environment.

Multiple Choice

Choose the best counterargument for the claim: The death sentence should be abolished.

• The death sentence is needed in society today to deter individuals from becoming criminals.

• Some people might claim that the death sentence is a needed consequence for vicious criminals, but it is inhumane to decide who dies, no matter the reasoning

• Some people might claim that the death sentence is a needed consequence for murderers, but they are wrong.

• The death sentence is a vital part of society today, but some people think that they don't need to follow the law. Instead, they claim that it is unacceptable.

Multiple Choice

Choose the best counterargument for the claim: College athletes should be paid based on performance during games.

• One could argue that college athletes are already "paid" through scholarships, but that would not be correct because athletes work hard.

• College athletes do not deserve to be paid because they are just children pretending to be pro athletes, they are already spoiled by college admission boards, and paying them for playing now will raise their salary expectations in the future.

• One could argue that college athletes are already "paid" through scholarships, but those usually only cover tuition and do not take into account the extra work that athletes complete

  outside their schoolwork.

Open Ended

Create your own counterargument based on this claim: The federal minimum wage should be increased.