Counterclaim and Refutes

Evaluate Counterclaims

Writing

Counterclaims

When you're writing an argument, you want to consider how someone might argue against your claim. Arguments against your claim are called counterclaims, or counterarguments. Acknowledging counterclaims makes you appear more fair and balanced as a writer, and refuting counterclaims strengthens your argument.

Writing

Counterclaims

You don't need to address every possible counterclaim that you can think of while writing. Instead, you should decide which counterclaims are the strongest and address those. Strong counterclaims directly address a claim without making any exaggerations; they provide logical reasons why someone might object to the claim. For instance, consider the following claim:

• Super strength would make a better superpower than being able to fly.

This would be a strong counterclaim:

• While super strength would only be useful occasionally, flying would make your daily life easier.

Writing

Counterclaims

In contrast, these would not be strong counterclaims:

• Many popular superheroes in movies and on television are able to fly.

This counterclaim does not directly address the claim. The claim is about which superpower is better, not which superpowers are used by popular superheroes.

• Super strength would cause you to hurt everyone around you, since you would always hug or shake hands too hard.

This counterclaim is an exaggeration. Having super strength would not necessarily cause you to harm everyone by always giving crushing hugs and handshakes.

• With the ability to fly, you would have to wear special goggles to protect your eyes.

This counterclaim uses faulty reasoning. It actually presents a reason why being able to fly is worse, not better, than super strength.

Writing

Multiple Choice

Consider this claim:

Sweet potato fries are more delicious than regular fries made from russet potatoes.

Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents the stronger and more reasonable counterclaim to the above claim?

• Both sweet potatoes and russet potatoes are healthier when they ar baked, not fried.

• Fries made from russet potatoes tend to be crispier and more flavorful than sweet potato fries.

Multiple Choice

Consider this claim:

It is easier to fly with just carry-on bags so that you don't have to wait to get your checked luggage back after the flight.

Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents the stronger and more reasonable counterclaim to the above claim?

• It is impossible to find overhead storage space for your carry-on luggage, so you always have to check it at the last minute.

• If you only have carry-on luggage, you have to spend extra time figuring out what to pack and how to fit it in a smaller bag.

Poll

Consider this claim:

German shepherds are easier pets to take care of than Chihuahuas.

Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents the stronger and more reasonable counterclaim to the above claim?

• Chihuahuas are ranked higher in popularity than German shepherds in the United Kingdom.

• Because they’re so small, Chihuahuas need less exercise than German shepherds.

Multiple Choice

Consider this claim:

It is possible for a person to have more than one best friend.

Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents the stronger and more reasonable counterclaim to the above claim?

• The perfect number of friends is three because that way you never have to be alone, but you’re never in a crowd.

• The word best means “above all others,” so by definition, it is only possible to have one best friend.

Multiple Choice

Consider this claim:

Cranberry sauce, with its delicious, tart-sweet combination of flavors, is the best part of Thanksgiving dinner.

Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents the stronger and more reasonable counterclaim to the above claim?

• Cranberry sauce is not as delicious as stuffing, which soaks up gravy and becomes crispy, gooey, aromatic, savory delight.

• No one actually eats the Thanksgiving cranberry sauce—it is just on the table to add some festive holiday color.