20:08 24/07/2023 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

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20:08 24/07/2023 How to write the counter argument paragraph

 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.

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20:08 24/07/2023 How to write the counter argument paragraph

Opposing 1.
Topic
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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