Claim Counterclaim

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

Which rebuttal best weakens the counterclaim that music is distracting?

• Music motivates students

• Music reduces stress

• Lyrics in music can cause students to lose focus

• Not all music is distracting, in fact, some genres are proven to enhance learning

What is the underlined section? Detention teaches students that there are consequences to their actions. Some could claim that it just makes them more angry, but the anger is part of the consequence.

• Claim

• Counterclaim

• Rebuttal

• Evidence

What is the underlined section? Kids should be able to drive at age 13. Some might believe that there are too many rules for them to learn, students could prove they've mastered the rules by taking a test.

• Claim

• Counterclaim

• Rebuttal

• Evidence

What would a good REBUTTAL be for the following counterclaim, "Some would argue that crop circles are proof of UFO's."

• The truth is crop circles have been proven to be man-made.

• Large fields have been pushed now in shapes of UFOs.

• It is clear that aliens exist.

• People might have seen odd drones flying instead, not UFOs.

What is the underlined section? College athletes should be paid. Some might argue that a free education is a kind of payment, but the athletes still need money for food, medical bills, and entertainment.

• Claim

• Counterclaim

• Rebuttal

• Evidence

A counterclaim is one of the elements of _______.

• Position

• Rebuttal

• Evidence

• Argument