Counter Claim and Rebuttal Review

Hello all,

Below is your homework. Get it done tonight! If you have any questions, please email me or ask me tomorrow in class. For those of you who are AVID students, you could use some of these questions about counter claim and rebuttal for your TRF forms!

Counterclaim Practice

Part 1 Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions below

In an argumentative paper, after the body paragraphs is a paragraph called the counterclaim paragraph. The purpose of the counterclaim is to address the opposite side of the argument and explain why that point of view is wrong. The first sentence in a counterclaim paragraph is the counterclaim sentence. This sentence states one reason why people oppose the author’s claim. The second sentence of the counterclaim paragraph is called the rebuttal sentence.  This sentence states one reason the opposing side is wrong or not strong. The third part of the counterclaim paragraph is the rebuttal evidence.The rebuttal evidence supports the counterclaim sentence by providing a quote or passage from the text. The fourth part of the counterclaim paragraph is the rebuttal elaboration. The rebuttal elaboration explains why the rebuttal evidence is important.

1. Where does the counterclaim typically go in an argumentative paper?
2. What is the purpose of a counterclaim paragraph?
3. What is the first sentence in a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do?  
4. What is the second sentence in a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do?
5. What is the third part of a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do?
6. What is the fourth part of a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do?

Part 2 Directions: Write the counterclaim and rebuttal for each claim.

Claim: This is your position or viewpoint on an issue.

Counterclaim: This is what the opposing side is arguing about the issue.

Rebuttal: This is your response to the counterclaim. It further supports your claim.

Example 1: Claim: Some people say that cell phones should be banned from schools, because they distract from learning. Counterclaim: Others say that students should be allowed to carry cell phones for emergency purposes. Rebuttal: There are plenty of other, less disruptive ways for parents and students to communicate. Example 2: Claim: Everyone should eat chocolate ice cream. Counterclaim: Some people are allergic to chocolate. Rebuttal: Today’s ice cream manufacturers can use artificial ingredients to duplicate the flavor of chocolate, so that people who are allergic are able to eat “Chocolate” ice cream without risking an allergic reaction.

Directions: Write a counterclaim and rebuttal for the following claims.

1. Claim: Students should NOT be forced to wear uniforms to school.
   1. Counterclaim:
   2. Rebuttal:
2. Claim: The driving age should be lowered to thirteen.
   1. Counterclaim:
   2. Rebuttal:
3. Claim: The school year should NOT be extended into the summer.
   1. Counterclaim:
   2. Rebuttal:

Part 3 Directions: Choose one of the above claims and turn your work into a full counterclaim paragraph.

Example template:

On the one hand, some people say … [counterclaim] … This point of view makes sense because … [evidence/reasoning to support counterclaim] … However, … [rebuttal and why it’s best] … Therefore, … [connect back to claim/wrap up paragraph].