Claim and Counterclaim

What is a rebuttal?

• A response to the counterclaim that weakens the opposing view

• Support for the counterclaim

• Words used to make paragraphs flow smoothly

• Evidence

Identify the counterclaim to this claim: Students should be able to eat snacks in class.

• Chewing gum raises test scores

• Studies show eating during class keeps students focused

• Teachers argue food distracts students

• Eating is during school hours is important

Why do we include counterclaims?

• To anticipate the argument from the opposing side

• To show what you know and strengthen your argument

• To prevent bias

• All of the above

What is the underlined section? Detention teaches students that there are consequences to their actions. Some could claim that it just makes them more angry, but the anger is part of the consequence.

• Claim

• Counterclaim

• Rebuttal

• Evidence

What would a good REBUTTAL be for the following counterclaim, "Some would argue that crop circles are proof of UFO's."

• The truth is crop circles have been proven to be man-made.

• Large fields have been pushed now in shapes of UFOs.

• It is clear that aliens exist.

• People might have seen odd drones flying instead, not UFOs.

A counterclaim is one of the elements of _______.

• Position

• Rebuttal

• Evidence

• Argument

Counterclaims are claims made to____________

• rebut new claim

• rebut specific claim

• rebut the previous claim

• rebut an unknown claim

What is a counterclaim in an argumentative essay?

• A statement that supports the main argument

• A statement that opposes the main argument

• A summary of the main points

• A conclusion of the essay

Which of the following best describes a claim?

• A statement that can be argued

• A question that needs an answer

• A fact that cannot be disputed

• A story that entertains

In the context of an argument, what is the purpose of a counterclaim?

• To confuse the reader

• To strengthen the original claim

• To present an opposing viewpoint

• To summarize the argument