Aim: How can we identify and refute a counterargument ?

Counterargument

• The opposing viewpoint or opinion on the topic

I believe that students shouldn’t have to get good grades in order to participate in after school sports.

What is the opposite opinion?

Questions to ask when developing counterarguments

1. Who might disagree with my position and what would they say?

2. What reasons do people have for disagreeing with me? (or Why others believe they are right?)

3. Why are they wrong? (This is refuting the other side’s view or your rebuttal.)

Refute/rebuttal: prove to be wrong

What does a good counterargument look like?

Some educators and parents think that maintaining a certain required grade-point average is a good way to keep students on track academically. (WHO disagrees and WHAT they think) They believe that withholding the sports activities will inspire them to work harder on their studies so that they can be eligible for sports. (WHY they think that) While this may work in a few cases, more damage is done by withholding the sports that students love until their grades improve. Most often, it will have the reverse effect by making the struggling students totally lose interest in school. (WHY they are WRONG)