Counter-argument

1. Counter-argument Some say this is difficult, but in reality, it’s really very simple.

2. Counter-argument: what’s the point? • Actually makes your argument stronger because you can respond to your reader’s objections before they are done reading your paper. • Shows you are a reasonable person and have considered both sides of the debate.

3. How do I begin? • Begin by researching what the other side believes. • Pick one widely held belief • Start a new paragraph right before your conclusion • Respectfully explain what the other sides’ main belief is and explain why this is not a substantial reason. • *The key here is to remain respectful of the other side. If you begin being disrespectful, your counter-argument will not have a positive effect. It will actually harm your argument.

4. Example While it is common for students to come to tutoring right before the test, there are better ways to prepare. The day before a test is the most busy for the teacher because there are often “50 students looking for last minute help” (Smith 10). When this happens, the teacher can’t actually help many students well. For this reason, students should come to tutoring a couple times a week, each week, and study on their own the day before a test. Because most students do not come to tutoring on a weekly basis, the students who do come will get one-on-one attention and learn more. They will not need the “last minute cram session” the day before the test.

5. Ways to begin • Many people believe that__________. • It is often thought that _____________. • It might seem as if _________________.

6. Ways to transition • What this argument fails to consider is _____________. • This view sounds convincing at first but ____________. • Although the core claim is valid, it suffers from the flaw in its _____________.