Guide to Crafting a Counterclaim Paragraph in Argumentative Writing
Understand the structure and purpose of a counterclaim paragraph in an argumentative paper. Learn how to effectively present opposing viewpoints, provide rebuttal evidence, and strengthen your argument. Follow the detailed steps outlined to enhance the quality of your writing and address potential counterarguments confidently.
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How to Write a How to Write a Counterclaim Counterclaim Paragraph Paragraph
Part 1 Read the Paragraph Part 1 Read the Paragraph 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 opposing reason to the author s claim. The second sentence of the counterclaim paragraph is called the rebuttal sentence. This sentence states one reason why the opposing point of view is wrong or not strong. The third part of the counterclaim paragraph is the rebuttal evidence.The rebuttal evidence supports the rebuttal 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.
Part 1 Questions Part 1 Questions 1. Where does the counterclaim go in an argumentative paper? After the body paragraphs 2. What is the purpose of a counterclaim paragraph? Address the opposite side of the argument and explain why that point of view is wrong 3. What is the first sentence in a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do? Counterclaim sentence. This sentence states one reason why people oppose the author s claim. 4. What is the second sentence in a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do? Rebuttal sentence. This sentence states one reason the opposite side is wrong or not strong.
Part 1 Questions Part 1 Questions 5. What is the third part of a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do? Rebuttal evidence. The rebuttal evidence supports the rebuttal sentence by providing a quote or passage from the text. 6. What is the fourth part of a counterclaim paragraph and what does it do? Rebuttal elaboration. The rebuttal elaboration explains why the rebuttal evidence is important
Counterclaim Paragraph with all the parts Counterclaim Paragraph with all the parts While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example, Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go.
What is a problem with your opinion that would cause someone to argue against you based off one of the articles you read? (Counterclaim Sentence) What is a solution to this problem based on one of the articles you read? (Rebuttal Sentence) What is evidence for your solution based on one of the articles you read? (Rebuttal Evidence) Why would your solution solve the problem? (Rebuttal Elaboration) Water Water bottles will bottles will lead to lead to more more students students leaving class leaving class for the for the bathroom. bathroom. Many Many schools schools have have scheduled scheduled breaks breaks during the during the school school day. day. Quote: Sunset Sunset Ridge Middle Ridge Middle School, a middle School, a middle school in West school in West Jordan, Utah, has Jordan, Utah, has at least seven at least seven five five- -minute minute breaks during breaks during the seven the seven- -hour school day. school day. Students could use Students could use the bathroom the bathroom during those times during those times if necessary. If a if necessary. If a student does not student does not go during those go during those times, they must times, they must wait until the next wait until the next break; it was their break; it was their fault they didn t go. fault they didn t go. What is the title of the article where you read this solution? Sunset Ridge Sunset Ridge Middle School: A Middle School: A School to Watch School to Watch by Ima Falcon by Ima Falcon hour
Example Counterclaim Example Counterclaim MY CLAIM Water bottles should be allowed in schools because they could increase grades, help students stay healthy, and reduce drowsiness. COUNTERCLAIM If students start bringing water bottles to class, they might have to go leave to the bathroom more often.
Best Counterclaims (Opposite Opinions) Your Opinion Counterclaims YES Cell Phones Kids will cheat Kids don t know how to keep themselves safe with technology NO Cell Phones Phones prepare students for the adult world YES Uniforms Uniforms are too expensive NO Uniforms Uniforms help students learn Uniforms prevent bullying YES Lockers Students can hide banned items in lockers NO Lockers Students would have to carry too much in their backpacks
Water bottles Water bottles will lead to will lead to more students more students leaving class leaving class for the for the bathroom. bathroom. Many Many schools schools have have scheduled scheduled breaks breaks during the during the school day. school day. Quote: Sunset Ridge Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle Middle School, a middle school in West school in West Jordan, Utah, has at Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five least seven five- - minute breaks during minute breaks during the seven the seven- -hour school hour school day. day. Students could use the Students could use the bathroom during those bathroom during those times if necessary. If a times if necessary. If a student does not go student does not go during those times, they during those times, they must wait until the next must wait until the next break; it was their fault break; it was their fault they didn t go. they didn t go. What is the title of the article where you read this solution? 2 4 Sunset Ridge Middle Sunset Ridge Middle School: A School to School: A School to Watch Watch 1 3 by Ima Falcon by Ima Falcon 2. Rebuttal Evidence: Find a quote from your side that argues against your counterclaim sentence. 3. Rebuttal Sentence: State what your quote means in one sentence (like a topic sentence). 4. Rebuttal Elaboration: How does the point you made with your quote solve or disprove your counterclaim sentence? NOTE: You will have to change one of your body paragraphs if it uses the same evidence or reason as your counterclaim.
Water bottles Water bottles will lead to will lead to more students more students leaving class leaving class for the for the bathroom. bathroom. Many Many schools schools have have scheduled scheduled breaks breaks during the during the school day. school day. Quote: Sunset Ridge Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle Middle School, a middle school in West school in West Jordan, Utah, has at Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five least seven five- - minute breaks during minute breaks during the seven the seven- -hour school hour school day. day. Students could use the Students could use the bathroom during those bathroom during those times if necessary. If a times if necessary. If a student does not go student does not go during those times, they during those times, they must wait until the next must wait until the next break; it was their fault break; it was their fault they didn t go. they didn t go. What is the title of the article where you read this solution? Sunset Ridge Middle Sunset Ridge Middle School: A School to School: A School to Watch Watch by Ima Falcon by Ima Falcon Counterclaim Paragraph Counterclaim Paragraph While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example, according to Ima Falcon, Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go.
Counterclaim Counterclaim sentence: claim and a supporting reason claim and a supporting reason sentence: states the opposing states the opposing While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example, Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go.
Counterclaim sentence - states one reason from the opposite side While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. Rebuttal sentence - states a reason why the counterclaim sentence is weak What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day.
Rebuttal sentence: Rebuttal sentence: reason stating why reason stating why the counterclaim is weak the counterclaim is weak While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example, Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go.
Rebuttal sentence What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. Rebuttal evidence - supports the rebuttal sentence For example at Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day.
Rebuttal Evidence: Rebuttal Evidence: evidence supporting the reason evidence supporting the reason for why the counterclaim is weak for why the counterclaim is weak While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example, Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go.
Rebuttal Elaboration: Rebuttal Elaboration: Give further explanation for Give further explanation for how the evidence makes the counterclaim weak how the evidence makes the counterclaim weak While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example, Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go.
While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example at Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go
Finally The last sentence of your counterclaim paragraph should restate your claim.
While there are many positive effects of including water bottles in the classroom, some people may argue that water bottles will lead to more students leaving class for the bathroom. What these people do not take into account, however, is the fact that many schools have scheduled breaks during the school day. For example at Sunset Ridge Middle School, a middle school in West Jordan, Utah, has at least seven five-minute breaks during the seven-hour school day. Students could use the bathroom during those times if necessary. If a student does not go during those times, they must wait until the next break; it was their fault they didn t go. Therefore, students should be able to have water bottles in class.
