Claims and Rebuttals

What is a writer's position on an issue or topic?

• counterclaim

• rebuttal

• claim

• logic

The point of view of people that do not agree with the claim you are making is called the _____________.

• support

• counterclaim

• rebuttal

• evidence

Which of these is a well written COUNTERCLAIM to the claim that students SHOULD be required to take a Foreign Language?

• Some might argue that it is a waste of time to learn a new language.

• Opponents might argue that it is not worthwhile to learn another language because the rest of the world is learning English.

• Learning a new language doesn't help students.

• There aren't many interpreters that aren't imported from the U.S.

A counterclaim should be included in an argumentative essay so that _______________________________.

• the reader will disagree with you.

• the reader will be confused about which side to agree with.

• the reader is not left with doubt about the opposing claim.

• the reader will have more information.

What is another term for "counterclaim"?

• opposing viewpoint

• claim

• argument

• refute

a statement that goes against or opposes the author's claim

• counterclaim/counterargument

• rebuttal

• warrant

• thesis

What is a counterclaim?

• Your position in an argument

• The opposing view of your claim

• The closing statement

• The counter where you claim something

What is a rebuttal?

• A response to the counterclaim that weakens the opposing view

• Support for the counterclaim

• Words used to make paragraphs flow smoothly

• Evidence

Identify the counterclaim to this claim: Students should be able to eat snacks in class.

• Chewing gum raises test scores

• Studies show eating during class keeps students focused

• Teachers argue food distracts students

• Eating is during school hours is important

Identify the rebuttal to the previous counterclaim that food causes distractions

• Students get Hot Cheeto fingers on the Chromebooks

• The real distraction is hungry students who can't focus

• It's impossible to open a bag of chips quietly

• Students leave crumbs everywhere, which attracts bugs