20 questions
What is a counterclaim?
Your position in an argument
The opposing view of your claim
The closing statement
The counter where you claim something
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
Identify the rebuttal to the previous counterclaim that food causes distractions
Students get Hot Cheeto fingers on the Chromebooks
The real distraction is hungry students who can't focus
It's impossible to open a bag of chips quietly
Students leave crumbs everywhere, which attracts bugs
Identify the counterclaim to this argument: Students should wear uniforms to school.
Having uniforms prepares students for professional careers
Uniforms make everyone's lives easiers
Students need to be able to express themselves
Uniforms allow students to focus on their work not fashion
Which rebuttal is the strongest response to the counterclaim that students need to express themselves?
Students do not have time to wash their uniforms each night.
Uniforms are more affordable for most families.
Students can still express themselves in many other ways.
Some believe uniforms are unfair; however, they're idiots.
Identify the counterclaim to this argument: Students should be able to listen to music in class.
Some may argue that music distracts students
Some may argue that music is calming
Teachers can choose the music for the students
Which rebuttal best weakens the counterclaim that music is distracting?
Music motivates students
Music reduces stress
Lyrics in music can cause students to lose focus
Not all music is distracting, in fact, some genres are proven to enhance learning
What's the rebuttal in the following statement: Some argue that Coke has better products; however, Pepsi sells more.
Some argue that Coke has better products
however, Pepsi sells more
What's the counterclaim in the following statement: Some argue that cakes are versatile, but pies are even more versatile because they can be savory.
Some argue that cakes are versatile
but pies are even more versatile because they can be savory
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
Rebuttals come before the counterclaim.
True
False
Would year-round school be better?
Yes!
No!
Review: Which of these is written as a CLAIM?
Year-round school is not a good idea.
I hate school.
No.
Yes, year-round school is a good idea.
Pick a reason to support the claim that year-round school is a bad idea.
That would be horrible!
Students need time to spend outside.
Summer is the best.
Summer is the best time to spend with family.
What's it called when you explain what someone might say if they disagree with you?
Rebuttal
Counterclaim
Otherclaim
Reasons
Find a counterclaim from someone who thinks year-round school is a GOOD idea.
Some teachers say students would forget less if school continued through the summer.
Some people want year-round school.
My sister agrees with me.
People who want year-round school are wrong.
What do you need to do after you give a counterclaim? Find two things that work.
Show why it's wrong.
Yell at the other person.
Show why it doesn't matter.
Say the counterargument is dumb.
What is it called when you explain why the counterclaim is wrong or doesn't matter?
Reclaim
Rebuttal
Countercounterclaim
Conclusion
Find a rebuttal to the counterclaim "Some teachers say students would forget less if school continued through the summer."
I don't care about that, though.
And I kind of agree with them.
However, summer gives students a chance to learn from other experiences.
Elephants never forget, and they don't have school at all.