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Counterarguments and Refutations

This document provides instructions for writing counterargument and refutation paragraphs. It explains that a counterargument paragraph should present the opposing side's argument against the writer's thesis in 1-2 sentences, then spend 3-4 sentences explaining, citing experts, and giving examples to support that counterargument. A refutation paragraph should acknowledge the validity of the counterargument in 1 sentence, then spend 3-4 sentences presenting evidence to show why the counterargument is ultimately incorrect or insufficient.

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destiny marie
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51 views

Counterarguments and Refutations

This document provides instructions for writing counterargument and refutation paragraphs. It explains that a counterargument paragraph should present the opposing side's argument against the writer's thesis in 1-2 sentences, then spend 3-4 sentences explaining, citing experts, and giving examples to support that counterargument. A refutation paragraph should acknowledge the validity of the counterargument in 1 sentence, then spend 3-4 sentences presenting evidence to show why the counterargument is ultimately incorrect or insufficient.

Uploaded by

destiny marie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WRITING A

COUNTERARGUMENT
AND REFUTATION
ENGLISH 101
PROFESSOR HUNTER
COUNTERARGUMENTS

• The counterargument paragraph is developed in much the same way that an argument paragraph is
developed. The difference is that the counterargument is your opponents’ (the other side’s) argument
that explains why you are wrong. This paragraph is structured as follows:
• Topic sentence. It states the other side’s reason for why you are wrong. Nouns used in this sentence are critics
and opponents. Verbs used in this sentence are argue, claim, and contend.
• Pattern 1
• Transition + some critics / opponents + argue / claim + that + argument against your thesis.
Nevertheless, some critics argue that the reason why some terminally ill patients wish to commit suicide is nothing more
than melancholia.
COUNTERARGUMENTS PATTERN 2

• Pattern 2
• Transition + it is argued that + argument against your thesis.
Nevertheless, it is argued that the reason why some terminally ill patients wish to commit suicide is nothing
more than melancholia.
COUNTERARGUMENTS CONTINUED

1. Pattern 1 or Pattern 2
2. Explanation sentence. It explains the controlling idea, the topic sentence.
3. Expert evidence sentence. This sentence backs up the topic sentence with a quotation or paraphrase of evidence
from expert(s). It includes the name of the author, name of the article, and the date of publication.
4. Explanation sentence. It explains the supporting evidence from expert(s).
5. Example and / or statistics sentence. This sentence contains an example or statistics
6. that support the evidence from the expert(s).
7. Explanation sentence. It explains the significance of the examples or statistics as related to the controlling idea, the
thesis sentence.
8. Conclusion sentence. It states what conclusion can be made once people consider the controlling idea and evidence.
REFUTATION

• The refutation paragraph must prove that your opponents’ objection (counterargument) is wrong. To do
this, you must answer the objection in a fair and logical manner. This paragraph is structured as follows:
• Opening sentence. It summarizes the other side’s objection and acknowledges the validity of the
objection. This sentence must contain the modal may.
REFUTATION PATTERNS
• Pattern
• It may be true that + paraphrase of objection.
It may be true that all such requests, in which dying patients ask doctors to help them to kill themselves, come
from depression as some psychologists have claimed and that some patients will change their minds if they
participate in psychotherapy.
• Topic sentence. It states the reason why the objection (counterargument) is wrong. It is introduced by a
transition such as however, nevertheless, or nonetheless.
• Pattern
• Transition + reason why the objection is wrong.
However, all of those terminally ill patients who after psychotherapy finally choose to hasten their deaths are
very determined.
REFUTATION CONTINUED…
1. Pattern 1, Topic Sentence, Pattern 2
2. Expert evidence sentence. This sentence backs up the topic sentence with a quotation or paraphrase of
evidence from expert(s). It includes the name of the author, name of the article, and the date of publication.
3. Explanation sentence. It explains the supporting evidence from expert(s).
4. Example and / or statistics sentence. This sentence contains an example or statistics that support the
evidence from the expert(s).
5. Explanation sentence. It explains the significance of the examples or statistics as related to the controlling
idea, the thesis sentence.
6. Conclusion sentence. It states what conclusion can be made once people consider the controlling idea and
evidence.

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