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Multimedia Writing and RhetoricFall 2019Mr. OrtegaRebuttal Essay TipsWriting a good intro The introduction of your rebuttal essay should give some background to the situation you will discuss. It should faithfully reproduce the argument you are responding to, citing the author and the source, almost as if you actually believed it. Then, you should segue into your own position. You can think of the thesis statement as an articulate restating of your position. Here are some?strategies for engaging readers?in an introductory paragraph:start with presenting a dilemma, a paradox, or an unusual comparisontell a brief storyraise a question that needs a solutionquestion a universal truthExample:(Modified version of Adam Scheidler’s “Vaccinations are Essential in Public Schools” Fresh Writing, Vol. 19”)(Topic Sentence/Hook) Vaccinations have become a hot topic of debate in recent years, particularly the requirement for children to be vaccinated in order to attend their local public school. These vaccination requirements are known as zero tolerance vaccine laws. (The Opponent’s Argument) In "Zero Tolerance Vaccine Laws in America: Will You Defend Vaccine Freedom?" Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder and president of the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), a non-profit clearinghouse dedicated to preventing vaccine injuries and supporting informed consent of vaccinations, argues that forced vaccination laws go against citizens' constitutional rights. Fisher argues her case against forced vaccinations through discussing the decline of vaccine safety and the principles of democracy written in the Constitution in hopes of preventing more children from suffering negative side effects due to certain vaccinations. (Refutation) However, Fisher and the NVIC fail to recognize the many benefits of vaccines and neglect to discuss the medical reasons why almost all doctors lobby for zero tolerance vaccine laws requiring children to receive important vaccinations. In fact, it is a common belief among medical professionals that there are greater risks to children in schools if they do not get the recommended vaccinations because it makes them more susceptible to viruses that spread extremely quickly and easily. (Position/Thesis Statement) Although zero tolerance vaccine laws are ultimately determined by politicians and state governments, zero tolerance vaccine laws should be enforced in public schools because the health benefits from vaccinations protect the greater good of all communities and hold everyone to an equal standard of preventing the spread of virulent diseases.How to Develop a Body ParagaphBegin by sharing the first claim by the opposing view point, as well as the evidence they use (or if they don’t use evidence, mention that). You will then state your ideas, and use your research to back up your opinion on this first claim. This will show the reader why she should stand with you on each particular point. Do not make generalized statements regarding the topic. Address and counter the opposing argument point-by-point. Each paragraph should cover one opposing claim. Or, if you think it deserves more attention, you can give it two paragraphs. When formulating your counterclaim, you can take several approaches: address faulty assumptions, contradictions, or unconvincing examples and errors in relating causes to effects. For every argument you present in a body paragraph, you should provide evidence and examples followed by analysis that support your overall point. Countering does not only imply disproving a point entirely, but it can also mean showing that the opposing claim is inferior to your own claim or that it is in some way flawed and therefore not credible, or as credible.Example:(Modified version of Adam Scheidler’s “Vaccinations are Essential in Public Schools” Fresh Writing, Vol. 19”)(Original Claim) Fisher argues that an elitist class of doctors are oppressing a minority group into complying with zero tolerance vaccine laws. Fisher compares the democratic principle of protecting minority rights—when it comes to zero tolerance vaccine laws—with military draft laws, which she believes endangers the lives of conscientious objectors in both instances. Fisher's point regarding zero tolerance vaccine laws would be valid if the laws put children in the way of direct medical harm or danger. (Counter-Claim) However, the zero tolerance laws requiring children to get certain vaccinations to enter school allows for valid exemptions. (Evidence) For example, every single state in the country allows for medical exemptions for children to not receive a vaccine if they have a condition that would put them at a greater risk of experiencing side effects from a vaccination ("SchoolVaxView"). (Reasoning) With these laws in place, it is extremely unlikely for a situation to arise where a child suffers severe side effects from a vaccination such as with what happened to Fisher's oldest son. Vaccine exemptions ensure that children only receive vaccines that will promote their safety and the safety of others around them. The facts about exemptions refute Fisher's argument that the risks of vaccinations are not shared equally among people because kids who are genetically at risk of side effects from vaccines have an out with regard to being forced to receive vaccinations.Sources: Northern Illinois University Effective Writing Practices “How to Write a Rebuttal Essay”FreshWriting.nd.eduUseful sentence stems from Chapter 1 of They Say, I Say (2nd edition) One the one hand,__________________. On the other hand, ______________________X contradicts herself when she says that ___________________On the one hand, __________________. On the other, __________________. (Agree Disagree Model)This is not to say that ______________.Useful transition words, from Chapter 3 of They Say, I Say (2nd edition) AdditionIndeed, in fact, moreover, in addition, furthermore, besidesExampleAfter all, for example, consider, for instance, specificallyElaborationActually, in short, that is, in other words, to put it another way, ultimately,ComparisonSimilarly, likewise, in the same wayContrastAlthough, nevertheless, on the contrary, but, however, while yet, converselyCause and EffectThus, so, therefore, hence, consequently, accordingly, as a resultConcessionAdmittedly, naturally, to be sure, of courseConclusionConsequently, to sum up, therefore, thus, in conclusion, in sum, hence. ................
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