The Argumentative Essay

The Argumentative Essay

Introducing the Counter Argument and Rebuttal

What is the purpose of an Argumentative Essay?

The purpose of an argumentative essay is to convince the reader to accept—or seriously consider--your opinion on a controversial issue

Has three major argumentative parts: Claim, Counter Claim, Rebuttal

Essay includes: Introduction, Body and

Conclusion Paragraphs)

Consider your Audience

Whom are you trying to reach? What do they already know about your

topic? What is your relationship with your

audience and how does it impact your word choice and tone?

CLAIM Your opinion or position on an issue

Must be supported with evidence

(quotes, facts, data)

Evidence must be explained (DETAILS!)

COUNTER CLAIM Consider the opposite side Argues against your claim

Turn against your argument to challenge it and then turn back to reaffirm your position

Counter Claim

Key phrases to use: One might object that... It might seem that... It's true that... Admittedly... Of course...

REBUTTAL Turn back to your original position

Responds to and refutes issues presented by the counterclaim.

**rebuttal - the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument

**refute - overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof

REBUTTAL

Key Phrases to use: but yet however nonetheless still

EXAMPLE

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.”

Where to put it? (One Example)

Introduction Claim 1 Claim 2 Counter Claim Rebuttal Conclusion

Each of these will be one paragraph!

Be Cautious!

It is true that counter arguments enrich argumentative writing; however, adding a weak counterargument or overdoing it cause worse results

Practice:

Provide a Claim and Counter Argument for the following topics:

1. Should public schools have uniforms? 2. Should high school athletes maintain

2.5 GPAs?