Take some time to research or brainstorm to come up with a list of points that those who oppose adopting a year-round school calendar might argue. Moreover, it is prudent to research both sides of the argument by noting at the rationale and use of evidence in order to build an argument that is less likely to be counteracted on mere grounds and simple position. To help you incorporate counterarguments into your argument, we recommend following the steps: (a) identify, (b) investigate, (c) address, and (d) refine. How to Engage Readers by Picking and Developing an Appeal, Quiz & Worksheet - Audience Opposition in Essays, Over 79,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, How to Focus Your Essay and Respond to the Essay Prompt, How to Determine the Best Audience or Readers for an Essay, Logos, Ethos and Pathos: 3 Ways to Appeal to an Audience in Essays, Biological and Biomedical By anticipating the ways that your audience might disagree with you, you can work to refute opposing views and increase the effectiveness of your argument. An error occurred trying to load this video. In your essay, you will need to state and refute these opposing views to give more credence to your argument. To move yourself out of this emotional realm and back into the realm of the well-reasoned argument, try taking a strategy from debate tournaments. You can introduce counterarguments with direct quotations from an opposing expert by paraphrasing, by offering a rhetorical example, or by offering a conditional statement. Thesis: School choice turns out to not only be a bad idea; it’s also a violation of our constitution. You can use these templates (adapted from Graff & Birkenstein, 2009) as a starting point for responding to counterarguments in your own writing. For example, if you are researching the current opioid crisis in the United States, your argument might be: State governments should allocate part of the budget for addiction recovery centers in communities heavily impacted by the opioid crisis. This can be a helpful audience to keep in mind when writing your paper. While all of the above examples use a serious and respectful tone to introduce counterarguments, there is another option that can be effective, depending on your audience and your intentions. There are four basic parts to a refutation of an opposing argument: you introduce the counterargument, state your objection to it, offer evidence to support your view, and draw a clear conclusion by comparing the viewpoints head to head. All rights reserved. On the same. Recovery centers are not proven to significantly help people with addiction. By the end of this presentation, you should be able to understand the characteristics of an argument, identify those arguments that you find within an academic paper, and analyze those arguments. Here, the writer approaches concession by acknowledging that it makes sense to at least consider this counterargument. During the revision process, you’ll need to look for redundancy of information in claim and refutation paragraphs and check the structure for flow. If you have a particularly good takedown of an opposing view, you might tuck that opposing view followed by your counterargument toward the very end of your essay to leave your audience with a strong impression of how your view trumps that of your opposition. The writer acknowledges that some of the opposition's claims may be valid, but the writer still shows that his own claims are stronger. If you fail to neutralize a common objection, readers will have an excuse to reject your argument. Study.com has thousands of articles about every You may find these points in the lists you have already drawn up, or you may combine certain points from these lists to form new ones. Let's take a look at the second opposing view that we listed, about the difficulty of scheduling extracurricular activities. (A reader might be wondering, “Did he really just compare immigrants to pollution?) Colorful language, appeals to emotion, and rhetorical devices hold little weight against a clearly fleshed-out position supported by appropriate examples and solid evidence offered by reputable sources. You’ll notice first that the author has an Hispanic surname, which lends ethos to his perspective. Why might they disagree with your point of view? You need to be prepared to counter those ideas. For more information about refutation/concession paragraphs visit: 2 Sample Refutation Paragraphs Remember, skeptical readers need to be convinced that your position is more reasonable than their own, and so your refutation will need to be both accurate and thorough. An argument must, by definition, take a stance on an issue and provide evidence for a particular conclusion. They say/I say: The moves that matter in academic writing (2nd ed.). When conducting your research, make sure to review the opposing side of the argument that you are presenting. The trick is to use this technique without alienating readers, and that is not an easy balance. Paraphrasing is a similar approach but allows you to contextualize the comment. The refutation paragraphs typically have: Ways writers can begin: This position analyzes the given portion of the argument. Education policy would be left in the hands of entrepreneurial think tanks, corporate boards of directors, and lobbyists who are more interested in profit than educating students [Miller and Gerson]. It's possible that you, too, are so dashing and your arguments are so thrilling that when you're writing an argumentative essay, you don't need to worry about what the opposing side of the argument might be... but you should probably plan for how to handle those objections just in case. Some students admit that they see cheating as the only way to reconcile their conflicting obligations. Therefore, a person would be in a position to distinguish between sound arguments and valid arguments. Compare the following examples: “Students claim that they cheat on tests because they are too busy to study. Making a strong argument includes answering any of the potential objections that may form in a reader’s mind. indeed not good enough. Will you concede that the point is valid but that your argument still stands as the better view? An argument should take a stance about a particular point of view, thesis, or claim. The conclusion should summarize why the counter argument is not a sufficient solution. When researching the topic, then, don’t limit yourself to sympathetic sources; find sources that disagree with your argument. He has placed this objection just after his claim that all people should be given the opportunity for redemption, because he knows that that’s the claim that is most likely to ignite this counterargument in the reader’s mind. Admittedly, This may require assessing the counterarguments with the research you already have or by identifying logical fallacies. one sided arguments the writers aim is to merely put forth a new different point of view mainly used to stir passion of audience convert belief into action ignore opposing views or reduce to enemy stereotypes filled with motivational language, these arguments list the benefits that will ensue from the reader's donations to the cause and the horrors just around the corner if the other side wins It’s a rhetorical example (someone killing a loved one) in the form of a series of questions. the end of the first paragraph, and throughout the second paragraph, the Addressing counterarguments also gives you an opportunity to clarify and strengthen your argument, helping to show how your argument is stronger than other arguments. Objection! - Definition & Examples, Facts vs. A straw-man argument can make a point overly simplistic, describe an incomplete concept or take a point out of context. ........[Introduce Opposing Arguments] As attractive as Safe Traveler Cards or national ID cards are, they are not without drawbacks. By Mark Liles. These opposing positions are called counterarguments. Just as you built your own argument, to refute opposing views, you’ll need to include evidence from research studies, statistics, and quoted opinions from experts. X may have been true in the past, but recent research has shown that ________. Acknowledge parts of the opposition that are valid. The burden of proof is on you, as the author of the argument. The violation of a nation’s territorial integrity, its safety and well-being, cannot be tolerated.’ Let’s look at each of these concerns in turn.”. You can quote an expert in the field who has publicly objected to the your thesis. For example, a person who has grown up hunting in a community that has never experienced gun violence might have a very different perspective on gun control than someone whose child was the victim of a shooting. Secondly, one could cite counter-testimony or. During the research phase, you’ll want to have a respectful vision of both these people in your mind to build an argument that might help increase the understanding of where the other is coming from. Don’t dismiss your opposition from the outset with language like this: “John Smith naively argues…” Instead, you could say, “John Smith contends,” and then summarize John Smith’s view. You might also discover counterarguments while doing your research, as you find authors who may disagree with your argument. Or you can quote a politician or another public figure who has recently brought up the issue (keeping in mind that this latter option dates your paper), as long as you do it respectfully. How do they interpret that evidence? Thus, Services. Follow the path of each objection to discover its roots. Or are they more skeptical of your position? Rather than addressing every possible objection to your thesis, you may decide at this point to eliminate the lesser objections, so as not to overload the paper with counterarguments. This video gives you tips for determining how to effectively anticipate and refute opposing views as you write your argument. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. No matter how you decide to incorporate the counterargument into your essay, be sure you do so with objectivity, maintaining a formal and scholarly tone. There are many valid ways to introduce an opposing view, but do try to present it in a neutral manner before you shoot it down. You wouldn’t want your verdict to be overturned on appeal! Perhaps the biggest drawback is that some people believe that these cards would deprive people of their privacy and that for this reason, their disadvantages outweigh their advantages (168). The refutation paragraph is normally found ONLY in argument essays and argument research papers; it is also known as the concession paragraph. If this is true, then that may be true. Punitive Damage Awards in State Courts, 2005. When you write an argumentative paper, your job isn't just to come up with good, persuasive points and evidence in support of those points. Use neutral language when you present opposing viewpoints. You also have to think about what views your audience might hold that are in opposition to your argument and effectively refute those views in order to be truly persuasive. ), you can show your readers the flaws in these counterarguments. For example: “Raymond Rodriguez, arguing in ‘The Social Contract’ (Summer, 1992) for closing the Mexican border to immigration, suggests that ‘Regulating immigration is as important as enacting agreements to control trade and pollution of the environment—and for many of the same reasons. Most of the times it may be seen as you have weaken your position by conceding to the opponent’s argument, but you may also strengthen it by raising your credibility and gaining the goodwill of your audience. Take note of their rationale and use of evidence. The third way of recognizing an opposing view in an argument is through critiquing the argument presented by the opponent. Understand the importance of refuting opposing arguments in a persuasive essay, Summarize how to address and refute opposing arguments. You can boost your credibility by acknowledging specific sources who disagree with your position, then effectively refuting their arguments. Furthermore, when a person concedes to a specific part of the opponent’s argument it does not mean that he/she won’t refute the other parts of the argument. Rather than weakening the paper, a good concession paragraph will actually strengthen the essay by showing that the writer has thoughtfully considered both sides of the argument before arriving at the final argumentative position. Also, towards Think of it this way: if my argument is that dogs are better pets than cats because they are more social, but you argue that cats are better pets because they are more self-sufficient, your position is a counterargument to my position. The fourth is a moral argument and therefore can only be addressed in a discussion of moral values, which is usually outside the realm of social science research. You can poke fun and be respectful at the same time. The author of this paper has already introduced the referenced expert and is here introducing a new portion of Jones’s counterargument. In this example, the writer is putting himself in his reader’s place, voicing one of the most common and understandable objections to his thesis. Students in need of remedial programs or enrichment can get those things more effectively during short breaks during an all-year schedule. This is a nice way for readers to be aware of what others think. Perhaps it's not the case that your points are really that strong, but rather, that your opponent's arguments are exceptionally weak. When students are writing an argumentative essay, they need to acknowledge the valid points of the opposing argument, otherwise writers sound narrow-minded and thereby less effective. Outline the process for refuting an argument. But _______ is not completely inaccurate. Satire can be used in less formal essays to inject humor and relax the reader’s defenses. Statement of Benefits: You should conclude by explaining to the opposing side why they would benefit from accepting your position. Your reader will lose interest the minute you get repetitive. Such cards would enable airport security officials to do instant background checks on everyone. If your mind is changed in the process, so be it! Click here to get an answer to your question ️ Which opposing argument does the writer recognize? We’ll examine both phases here. succeed. Ideally, your paper should contain a logical argument. Log in here for access. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. If you consistently come from your side of the issue, you may miss articles by some of the stronger opponents. If you have a refutation that simply repeats one of your claims, see if you can find a different way to refute the opposing argument. Try to persuade this reader; work hard to demonstrate why your position is more convincing than the alternatives. 's' : ''}}. Provide examples or evidence to show why the opposing argument is unsound, or provide explanations of how the opposing argument is incomplete or illogical. It would be exceedingly difficult to schedule extracurricular activities involving practices and competitions with other schools and districts on different schedules. This is called a concession. With this phrase, or something similar, you can clearly signal to your reader that you're about to present an opposing view and then engage in counterargument, distinguishing that paragraph or section from the rest of the arguments in your paper. How should you handle a point like this, and where should you do it in your essay? 105 lessons first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Can you make a smooth transition from one of your points to your refutation of one of your opponent's points? For example: Note that I said a moment ago that you should do some brainstorming to think of some of the possible opposing arguments with regard to your topic. A writer might explain the opposition's weakest points, contrasting them with his argument's strongest points. 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A critique is simply an evaluation of the view put forth by the opponent. Address one or two counterarguments in a rebuttal. Present your own argument first, and then present and counteract the opposing viewpoints. If you summarize opposing views without attaching them to actual writers, it may appear as though you haven’t done your research. Now that you’ve built a strong foundation of credibility by presenting the likely objections and reasoned opposition to your argument (respectfully, of course! Try to figure out why smart and rational people would hold those positions. An academic argument supports its claim with sound reasoning, research, and evidence such as facts, statistics, and quoted opinions from authorities on both sides of the argument. 2) Identify the argument's claims, conclusions and underlying assumptions. courses that prepare you to earn study Sometimes writers might just want to restate his/her position simply. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Keep in mind that you must do more than simply identify an opposing position. Use the thesis, evidence, opposing argument, and concessionary statement as the basis for writing a full persuasive essay. When a writer presents a counterargument, it acknowledges the opposing perspective's viewpoints or evidence for taking a given position. Didn't find what you need? Planning the argument means deciding on the three or four points that best support your proposal. Rebutting the opposing view would take a number of forms. When you have an argument as well as a corresponding opposing view to refute, it works out well from an organizational standpoint. Before you start thinking about the specific views of people who might be opposed to your position, get a clear sense of the crucial points of your own argument. Students tend to forget many of the concepts they learned throughout the year during the summer break, meaning that teachers have to devote too much time each year to reviewing old materials. the academic sources you discover through your research. Your job during the research phase is to find counterarguments and material to refute them, and in the drafting phase to construct your argument in a way that incorporates these objections and counterarguments. Ethos, logos, and pathos are persuasional tools that can help writers make their argument appeal to readers; ... through extensive research, through up-to-date research; through recognized authorities in the field (this will also help to prevent your appeal from seeming too personal), you are using appropriate writing style. Your readers will deeply appreciate your efforts because they show respect for both the seriousness of your mission and for the readers themselves. Doing this gives you credibility and can strengthen your own argument. Try to anticipate what objections your readers might have to your argument, and try to understand why they might object. Have you ever seen one of those courtroom dramas on TV or at the movies where, in a climactic moment, a lawyer is grilling a witness or delivering an impassioned argument, and the other lawyer stands up and weakly says, 'Objection,' but the first lawyer is so overpowering and exciting that the judge doesn't even seem to care about or acknowledge the objection? You may be surprised to hear that the word “argument” does not have to be written anywhere in your assignment for it to be an important part of your task. What evidence do they look at? Now that you have researched the counterarguments, consider your response. You are anticipating what each claim might bring up for the reader and handling it immediately, so he or she has no opportunity to get hung up on the objection. Alternate back and forth between your argument and opposing points. How are they different? The strategy to identifying this opposing view in the argument is not to refute the opponent’s argument –not even the opponents stated grounds and reason nor the opponent’s warrant, but rather to concede to it. There is far less satisfaction in making a convincing argument if objections are left unanswered and evidence is swept under the rug. When writing your counterargument paragraph, you should respond to that other position. This can be a helpful audience to keep in mind when writing your paper. Introducing opposing viewpoints is necessary, but do not stop there. If you shortchange the opposing viewpoint, your readers will suspect that you are trying to compensate for shortcomings in your own argument. What life experiences might lead them to disagree with your point of view? For one thing, as Easterbrook notes, these cards would expedite security procedures only for travelers who do not mind volunteering such information to obtain a card. That includes researching to find the thought leaders on the opposing side of your topic, presenting their arguments in an honest light, and then moving into respectful refutation. In fact, making an argument—expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with evidence—is often the aim of academic writing. As you’re researching, then, take the debater’s approach to gathering information so you’ll be very well-informed about the opposing views. Are they open and receptive to your point of view? Refutation Paragraphs. When writing your counterargument paragraph, you should respond to that other position.

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