WorksheetsClaims, Counterclaims, and Rebuttals
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 22mins
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
Identify the counterclaim to this argument: Students should wear uniforms to school.
Having uniforms prepares students for professional careers
Uniforms make everyone's lives easiers
Students need to be able to express themselves
Uniforms allow students to focus on their work not fashion
Which rebuttal is the strongest response to the counterclaim that students need to express themselves?
Students do not have time to wash their uniforms each night.
Uniforms are more affordable for most families.
Students can still express themselves in many other ways.
Some believe uniforms are unfair; however, they're idiots.
Identify the counterclaim to this argument: Students should be able to listen to music in class.
Some may argue that music distracts students
Some may argue that music is calming
Teachers can choose the music for the students
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's the rebuttal in the following statement: Some argue that Coke has better products; however, Pepsi sells more.
Some argue that Coke has better products
however, Pepsi sells more
What's the counterclaim in the following statement: Some argue that cakes are versatile, but pies are even more versatile because they can be savory.
Some argue that cakes are versatile
but pies are even more versatile because they can be savory
Why do we include counterclaims?
To anticipate the argument from the opposing side
To show what you know and strengthen your argument
To prevent bias
All of the above
Rebuttals come before the counterclaim.
True
False
Review: Which of these is written as a CLAIM?
Year-round school is not a good idea.
I hate school.
No.
Yes, year-round school is a good idea.
Pick a reason to support the claim that year-round school is a bad idea.
That would be horrible!
Students need time to spend outside.
Summer is the best.
Summer is the best time to spend with family.
What's it called when you explain what someone might say if they disagree with you?
Rebuttal
Counterclaim
Otherclaim
Reasons
Find a counterclaim from someone who thinks year-round school is a GOOD idea.
Some teachers say students would forget less if school continued through the summer.
Some people want year-round school.
My sister agrees with me.
People who want year-round school are wrong.
What do you need to do after you give a counterclaim? Find two things that work.
Show why it's wrong.
Yell at the other person.
Show why it doesn't matter.
Say the counterargument is dumb.
What is it called when you explain why the counterclaim is wrong or doesn't matter?
Reclaim
Rebuttal
Countercounterclaim
Conclusion
Find a rebuttal to the counterclaim "Some teachers say students would forget less if school continued through the summer."
I don't care about that, though.
And I kind of agree with them.
However, summer gives students a chance to learn from other experiences.
Elephants never forget, and they don't have school at all.
The writer's position on an issue
claim
counterclaim
rebuttel
thesis
an ______________ is a claim that is supported with reasons and evidence.
argument
claim
counterclaim
relevant information
Facts, quotations, examples, anecdotes, and statistics can all be used as _______________.
evidence
claims
arguments
counterclaims
Statements that address opposing viewpoints.
counterclaims
rebuttels
claims
arguments
children bully because it will send a
message. Some say It is very difficult for
parents to manage their children
when they leave the house and go to
school. Despite this, thirteen million
kids are bullied each year and
something needs to be done. The fines
will encourage parents to focus on anti-bullying in the home.
Which sentence is the counterclaim?
kids are bullied each year and
something needs to be done.
will encourage parents to
focus on anti-bullying in the home.
parents to manage their children
when they leave the house and go to
school.
children bully because it will send a
message.
What is the first paragraph called?
Body paragraph
Introduction
Conclusion
Rough draft
What is the last paragraph called?
Body paragraph
Introduction
Conclusion
Rough draft
What is the paragraph in the middle called?
Body paragraph
Introduction
Conclusion
Rough draft
What important statement goes in your introduction?
A question
A quote
A thesis
A transition
I can write a perfect essay on the first try.
True
False
How do you capture the reader's attention?
Bait
Trap
Hook
Wing it
Which part of an INTRODUCTION paragraph outlines the three main ideas of your essay?
hook
topic sentence
thesis statement
closing sentence
True or False:
The main ideas of your body paragraphs should match up to the main ideas in your thesis statement.
True
False
Any information that helps prove a claim.
evidence
argument
counterclaim
thesis
