Claims & Counterclaims

Grocery stores should eliminate disposable plastic bags because they are harmful to the environment. Critics claim that plastic bags only account for a small amount of waste and banning them wouldn't make that much of a difference. Plastic bags, though, are a major problem. Plastic bags never break down or disintegrate. They break into smaller pieces but they will always be in the landfill. Also, they are very hard to recycle so many people throw

them away.

What is the author's CLAIM?

• Grocery stores should get rid of plastic bags

• Plastic bags only account for a small amount of waste

• Banning plastic bags would not make much of a difference

• Plastic bags break into smaller pieces

Grocery stores should eliminate disposable plastic bags because they are harmful to the environment. Critics claim that plastic bags only account for a small amount of waste and banning them wouldn't make that much of a difference. Plastic bags, though, are a major problem. Plastic bags never break down or disintegrate. They break into smaller pieces but they will always be in the landfill. Also, they are very hard to recycle so many people throw

them away.

What is the COUNTERCLAIM?

• Grocery stores should get rid of plastic bags

• Plastic bags never break down or disintegrate

• Banning plastic bags would not make much of a difference

• Plastic bags break into smaller pieces

What are the required parts to a counterclaim paragraph? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.

• State the counterclaim with a reason

• Provide a rebuttal to refute the counterclaim

• Evidence to support the rebuttal

• Elaboration

• Your claim/thesis statement

Kids should learn how to read an analog (dial) clocks.

What is missing from this thesis?

• The counterclaim

• Reasons

• Reasons against the claim

• Evidence

Read the following counterclaim. Which sentence would come next?

Others might argue that converting to electric vehicles only would put a strain on our power supply.

• While that may be true for now, engineers are developing new ways to produce clean energy every day.

• For example, "E-Rides" states that electric vehicles hog over 10 million killowatts of electric power every five minutes.

• This proves that we should consider converting to 100% battery-powered vehicles.

• On the other hand, gas-powered vehicles are safer.

What is a rebuttal?

• The end of a counterclaim paragraph

• The evidence of a counterclaim paragraph

• The portion of the counterclaim paragraph that disproves the opposing viewpoint

• Rhetorical device

Should dogs be allowed at school?

Type a THESIS statement below - remember to include two reasons.

Parents should be required to volunteer at Nolan so that they can stay involved in their child's education and contribute to the needs of the school.

Write a proper counterclaim statement below. Remember to include a REASON!

REFUTE the following statement with a REBUTTAL:

Opponents would say that offering only healthy food at lunch would lead to a lot of food waste.

REFUTE the following with a REBUTTAL:

Critics argue that robots can perform many of the same jobs human workers can in less time.