Learning Module

READING & WRITING G11 

Q4.3

COUNTERCLAI
MS
GENECOM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
GENECOM LEARNING AND TUTORIAL CENTER
LIBON PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
April 2022

Introduction and Objectives

NAME: ________________________________________________ STRAND:
___________

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 Module Introduction and Focus Questions
To be an effective critical thinker, it is not enough just to
be able to identify claims and assertions. The ability to analyze
an argument is essential to understanding the text more deeply,
but understanding the claim is not the only facet of the
argument.
You must also learn how to analyze the counterclaims and
evidence provided by the text. Being able to recognize and
formulate counterclaims in reaction to an argument is a
characteristic of a good critical reader.
Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim.
They provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument.
This module shall center primarily on giving the learners,
like you brief insights about another technique in formulating an
evaluative statement—through making COUNTERCLAIMS in
response to claims made in a text read.

 Module Lesson and Coverage

Lesson 2 : COUNTERCLAIMS

This module is designed for you to:

 Formulate evaluative statements about a text read:
a. counterclaims in response to claims made in a text
read.

LESSON PROPER
The counterclaim is just one of the four elements of an
argument, which include:
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1. CLAIM – to assert facts and a statement of the party’s point
or argument for something;
2. COUNTERCLAIM – a claim for relief made in opposition to,
or to offset another person’s claim;
3. REASONS – the rationale behind a party’s claim; and
4. EVIDENCE – something that proves the truth of a claim, or
leads to a conclusion.
Once the parties have made their claims and counterclaims,
they introduce the reasoning behind their arguments, and
present evidence to support those claims.

FUNCTIONS OF COUNTERCLAIMS
 You show a deep competence and familiarity with the
writer’s topic.
 It shows that you are examining different perspectives and
not just passively accepting the writer’s claim.
 It shows that you have thoroughly considered the topic,
and are willing to engage different viewpoints from your
own, thus remaining objective.
 It also helps you clarify what your personal position is on
the topic.

QUESTIONS THAT WILL HELP YOU FORMULATE A

COUNTERCLAIM
 What are the major points on which you and the author can
disagree?
 What is their strongest argument? What did they say to
defend their position?
 What are the merits of their view?

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  What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their
argument? Are there any hidden assumptions?
 Which lines from the text best support the counterclaim
you have formulated?

HEDGES
You must recognize the value of hedges when you state your
counterclaims.
Hedge is a word or phrase that minimizes the negative impact
of
criticism. When you are presenting your counterclaim, you are
providing criticism since you are stating that the claim is not
true. A hedge is used to giving a courteous tone in your writing.
Hedges could come in different forms such as:
 Modals – may, could, would, etc.
 Frequency adverbs – usually, generally, commonly
 Probability adverbs – probably, possibly, presumably.

EXAMPLE 1

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 CLAIM: “Everyone should eat chocolate ice
cream.”
COUNTERCLAIM: “Some people are allergic to
chocolate. People who are
allergic will want to avoid
eating chocolate ice cream.”

EXAMPLE 2

CLAIM: “Nikes are the best kind of shoe, because

they are comfortable and stylish.”
COUNTERCLAIM: “Adidas are better than Nikes,
because Nikes are too expensive.”

EXAMPLE 3

CLAIM: “McDonalds
should be considered a healthy restaurant
because they offer water, fruit, and
salad.”
COUNTERCLAIM: “Even though they have a few
healthy options on the menu,
McDonalds should not overall be

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 considered ‘healthy’ because the
vast majority of their options are greasy,
fried, and high in calories.”

EXAMPLE 4

COUNTERCLAIM:
Some may argue that eating meat is ethical
because it is natural for animals to kill and eat one
another to survive.
For example, in the wild, lions stalk and hunt prey
daily for survival. (Poe 24) Evidence 1

REBUTTAL (A statement that gives reasons why a

counterclaim is not true or should be ignored.)
However, this argument presumes that all animals
need meat to survive or rely exclusively on hunting for food.
Human beings are omnivores, and therefore our diets
require very little to no meat. (Johnson 5) Evidence 2

CONCLUSION
As human beings who have some measure of control
over our eating habits, it is still an unethical decision to
actively choose to kill animals for our food.
We are fully capable of surviving without the flesh of
other animals, unlike lions or other carnivores.

GUIDEPOSTS IN FORMULATING A
COUNTERCLAIM

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  Make the counterclaim real.
 Never write a counterclaim you cannot rebut.
 Make it clear that you do not agree with the counterclaim.
 Do not repeat a reason you have already given to rebut the
counterclaim.
 You are allowed to have more than one rebuttal.
 Consider the use of hedges in formulating a counterclaim.

Let’s do the RECAP!

As learned in the previous module/lesson, there are two

ways on how to formulate an evaluative statement or the way
of giving a better explanation to show the strength and
weaknesses of something through writing. First, is through
making an assertion and the other is through making a
counterclaim.
This module has centered on the formulation of a
counterclaim which is considered an opposition you make
about the claim of a writer.
Addressing counterclaims allow the writer/speaker to
show your reader/audience that you have examined both
sides of an argument which increases your credibility.
In writing a counterclaim, you should consider turning
against a claim with evidence/justification; then, turning back
to your own; finally, provide the conclusion.

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