Counterclaim (Argumentative Writing)

Your Counter claim

• Consider the opposite side

• Argues against your claim

• Turn against your argument to challenge it

• Then turn back to reaffirm your position

The Rebuttal

• Turn back to your original position

• Responds to and refutes issues presented by the counterclaim

• Refute-prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false: disprove

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The Opposing Side

• Who might disagree with my position? Why?

• What reasons do people have for disagreeing with me?

• What evidence would support an opposing argument?

Example of Claim and Counterclaim

• CLAIM: "More Americans are choosing low-carb diets because the media promotes low-carb diets as the new way to a skinnier body."

• COUNTER CLAIM: "Some Americans don't watch television commercials because they own a DVR or TIVO, but most Americans are exposed to other forms of advertisement in magazines, newspapers, and highway billboards."

The organization of the Essay: Where to put it

• Introduction w/Thesis

• Reason 1 w/Evidence

• Reason 2 w/Evidence

• Counter Claim/Rebuttal

• Conclusion w/Restated Thesis

• Each of these will be one paragraph!