The Argumentative Essay

1. The Argumentative Essay Introducing the Counter Argument and Rebuttal

2. What is an Argumentative Essay? The purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to accept—or seriously consider--your opinion on a controversial issue Has three parts: Claim, Counter Claim, Rebuttal (plus Introduction and Conclusion)

3. Consider your Audience Whom are you trying to reach? What do they already know about your topic? What is your relationship with your audience and how does it impact your word choice and tone?

4. The Organization

5. Thesis Statement • The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE or sentences in your paper • Expresses your interpretation of the topic and answers the question: “what am I trying to prove” • Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper

6. Thesis Practice: Fact versus Claim Which thesis statement is most effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets? • Parents, often too busy to watch television with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip. • This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets. • To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be required feature for television sets sold in the U.S. Correct

7. CLAIM Your opinion or position on an issue Must be supported with evidence (quotes, facts, data) Evidence must be explained RACE paragraph = Claim

8. COUNTER CLAIM Consider the opposite side Argues against your claim Turn against your argument to challenge it Then turn back to reaffirm your position

9. REBUTTAL Turn back to your original position Responds to and refutes issues presented by the counterclaim

10. The Opposing Side Ask these questions: 1. Who might disagree with my position? Why? 2. What reasons do people have for disagreeing with me? 3. What evidence would support an opposing argument?

11. Counter Claim Key phrases to use: One might object that... It might seem that... It's true that... Admittedly... Of course...

12. REBUTTAL Return to your original argument based upon careful reasoning -Show why counter argument is mistaken -Acknowledge it, but show why it is less important

13. REBUTTAL Key Phrases to use: but yet however nonetheless still

14. EXAMPLE CLAIM: “More Americans are choosing low-carb diets because the media promotes low-carb diets as the new way to a skinnier body.” COUNTER CLAIM: “Some Americans don't watch television commercials because they own a DVR or Tivo, but most Americans are exposed to other forms of advertisement in magazines, newspapers, and highway billboards.

15. Where to put it? Introduction Claim 1 Claim 2 Counter Claim Rebuttal Conclusion Each of these will be one paragraph!

16. Be Cautious! It is true that counter arguments enrich argumentative writing However adding a weak counterargument or overdoing it cause worse results

17. Practice: Provide a Claim and Counter Argument for the following topics: 1. To Die or Suffer: The Necessity of Physician-assisted Suicide 2. Are Herbal medicines beneficial to our health?