How To Write the Counter Argument Paragraph



How to Write the Counterargument Paragraph

Terminology:

• Concession: acknowledgement of the other side

• Refutation or Rebuttal: an answer that challenges a specific claim or charge

• Counterargument: the other side of an argument

Format of the counterargument:

1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the opposing side’s arguments. You are acknowledging the other point of view. You will use phrases such as the following:

• Some critics argue/assert/contend/claim/state . . .

• Many believe that . . .

• It has been argued/asserted/contended/claimed/stated . . .

• Opponents argue/assert/contend/claim/state . . .

2. Expert Source that supports the counterargument: This sentence backs up the

sentence with a quotation or paraphrase of evidence from an expert. It includes

the name of the author/source, the title of the article or web site, and, if necessary,

the expertise of the source to show the validity of the evidence.

For example:

In “When Patients Request Assistance with Suicide,” Dr. Michael Maskin,

an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia-Presbyterian

Medical Center in New York, argues that in many cases, dying patients’

thinking is simply occupied by negative reactions to their condition (2).

3. Explanation sentence: This sentence begins with a transition (therefore,

thus, to explain, as a result, to elaborate, in other words, etc.) and explains the evidence and/or provides an example of what it is saying.

4. Concession sentence: Concede (acknowledge) the other side’s validity in a

respectful way. You might begin with phrases such as the following:

• For this reason, opponents believe/argue/claim/contend/stress etc.

• As a result of _______________, many believe/argue etc.

• It is understandable why the opposition believes/argues etc.

• Critics have a valid point about . . .

5. Refutation/Rebuttal sentence: This is where you refute or challenge the

opposition’s viewpoint and remind readers of your stance. You will begin

by using a phrase such as the following:

• Nevertheless/nonetheless/however + your argument

• Though it is a valid point/argument + your argument

• Even though (one part of the argument) is true, it still does not . . .

• Though he/she/they make a good point, + your argument

Make sure that you complete the rebuttal by refuting the actual counterargument

that you are using in this paragraph. Do not argue against a different

counterargument, as there are usually several. Stick to the one counterargument

throughout the entire paragraph. If you want to address more than one counter-

argument, then you will need to do so in separate paragraphs. Obviously, it helps

to pick counterarguments that you can refute easily.

Example

Main Claim: Terminally ill patients have the right to end their own lives, and those who choose to help them should not be punished for doing so.

1 Critics argue that the reason why some terminally ill patients wish to commit suicide is nothing more than melancholia. Patients suffering terminal illness might tend to be negative, hopeless, and depressed. 2 In “When Patients Request Assistance with Suicide,” Dr. Michael Maskin, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, argues that in many cases, dying patients’ thinking is simply occupied by negative reactions to their critical condition (2). 3 In other words, most of the reasons why terminally ill patients request doctors and/or loved ones to assist them in committing suicide might be caused by certain problems such as hopelessness, because there is no effective treatment, anxiety over expensive medical bills, and regret for being a burden to their families (Maskin 2). 4 For this reason, opponents argue that the terminally ill patient needs psychotherapy, and that his wish to end his life should never be considered. 5 Though it is true that psychotherapy might help the terminally ill patient confirm his decision, and that it is not a medical doctor’s job to help patients end their lives, it is, however, ultimately the patient’s decision and his life to end. No person or law should prevent or punish loved ones who assist in that choice.

adapted with revisions from Sourcework, by Heinle & Heinle, 2006.

|Opposing Topic | 1. |

|Sentence | |

|Evidence: | 2. |

|Explain: | 3. |

|Concession: | 2. |

| | |

|Rebuttal | 3. |

Copy and paste the template into your paper.

Opposing Topic Sentence Concession Format:

• Many people believe that ice cream is the best dessert to eat.

• Some critics argue that getting in touch with nature is only for science geeks or hippies.

Concession Sentence Format Combined with Rebuttal:

• It is understandable why the opposition why believes it is the best dessert. Ice cream is yummy; however, it being messy makes it fall short of being the best dessert.

• As result of these extravagant displays of lunacy these assumptions are reinforced; nevertheless, they are assumptions about people and do not take into account the many benefits anyone can gain from getting in touch with nature.

Concession Sentence Format followed by Rebuttal:

• For this valid reason, opponents believe ice cream is the best dessert. Although ice cream is delicious, it does not change the fact that is very messy, making other less messy items better choices for dessert.

|Concession Adverbs |Concession Subordinating Conjunctions |

|at the same time |although |

|alternatively |even though |

|besides |even if |

|conversely |despite the fact that |

|however |in spite of the fact that |

|in contrast |though |

|instead |while |

|meanwhile |whereas |

|nevertheless | |

|otherwise | |

|still | |

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