how to make a counter argument thesis

How to Write a Counter Argument (Step-by-Step Guide)

Have you been asked to include a counter argument in an essay you are writing? Unless you are already an experienced essay writer, you may have no idea where to even start. We're here to help you tackle your counter argument like a pro.

What Is a Counter Argument?

A counter argument is precisely what it sounds like — an argument that offers reasons to disagree with an essay's thesis statement. As you are writing your essay, you will likely pen multiple supporting arguments that outline precisely why readers should logically agree with the thesis. In a counter argument paragraph, you show that you also understand common reasons to believe differently.

In any given essay, you may write one or more counter arguments — and then, frequently, immediately refute them. Whether you are required to include a counter argument or you simply want to, always include:

• A simple statement explaining the counter argument. As it will likely follow paragraphs in which you fleshed out your argument, this can start with words like "Some people are concerned that", or "critics say", or "On the other hand".
• Then include further reasoning, data, or statistics.
• Following this, you will want to discredit the counter argument immediately.

Why Include a Counter Argument?

Including a counter argument (or multiple, for that matter) in an essay may be required, but even in cases where it is not, mentioning at least one counter argument can make your essay much stronger. You may, at first glance, believe that you are undermining yourself and contradicting your thesis statement. That's not true at all. By including a counter argument in your essay, you show that:

• You have done your research and are intimately familiar with each aspect of your thesis, including opposition to it.
• You have arrived at your conclusion through the power of reason, and without undue bias.
• You do not only blindly support your thesis, but can also deal with opposition to it.

In doing so, your essay will become much more reasoned and logical, and in practical terms, this likely means that you can count on a higher grade.

How To Write a Counter Argument (Step-by-Step Guide)

You have been laboring over your essay for a while, carefully researching each aspect of your thesis and making strong arguments that aim to persuade the reader that your view is the correct one — or at least that you are a solid writer who understands the subject matter and deserves a good grade for your efforts.

If you are passionate about the topic in question, it can be hard to decide how to incorporate a counter argument. Here's how to do it, step-by-step:

1. Brainstorm

You have already researched your topic, so you know on what grounds people most frequently oppose your argument. Write them down. Pick one, or a few, that you consider to be important and interesting. Formulate the counter argument as if you were on the opposing side.

2. Making the Transition

Your counter argument paragraph or paragraphs differ from the rest of your essay, so you will want to introduce a counter argument with a transition. Common ways to do this are to introduce your counter argument with phrases like:

• Admittedly, conversely, however, nevertheless, or although.
• Opponents would argue that...
• Common concerns with this position are...
• Critics say that...

3. Offering Evidence

Flesh the counter argument out by offering evidence — of the fact that people hold that position (where possible, quote a well-known opponent), as well as reasons why. Word your counter argument in such a way that makes it clear that you have carefully considered the position, and are not simply belittling it. This portion of your counter argument will require doing additional research in most cases.

4. Refute the Counter Argument

You are still arguing in favor of your main thesis. You will, therefore, not just want to describe the opposing side and leave it at that — you will also thoughtfully want to show why the opposing argument is not valid, in your opinion, and you will want to include evidence here, as well.

5. Restate Your Argument

After refuting your counter argument, you can go ahead and restate your argument. Why should people believe what you have to say, despite any opposition?

How To Write A Good Counter Argument

As you're writing a counter argument, you might run into some difficulties if you fervently believe in the truth of your argument. Indeed, in some cases, your argument may appear to you to be so obvious that you don't understand why anyone could think differently.

To help you write a good counter argument, keep in mind that:

• You should never caricature the opposing viewpoint. Show that you deeply understand it, instead.
• To do this, it helps if you validate legitimate concerns you find in an opponent's point of view.
• This may require quite a bit of research, including getting into the opposing side's mindset.
• Refute your counter argument with compassion, and not smugly.

Examples of Counter Arguments with Refutation

Still not sure? No worries; we have you covered. Take a look at these examples:

• Many people have argued that a vaccine mandate would strip people of their individual liberties by forcing them to inject foreign substances into their bodies. While this is, in a sense, true, the option of remaining unvaccinated likewise forces other people to be exposed to this virus; thereby potentially stripping them of the most important liberty of all — the liberty to stay alive.
• The concern has been raised that the death penalty could irreversibly strip innocent people of their lives. The answer to this problem lies in raising the bar for death penalty sentences by limiting them to only those cases in which no question whatsoever exists that the convicted party was truly guilty. Modern forensic science has made this infinitely easier.

In short, you'll want to acknowledge that other arguments exist, and then refute them. The tone in which you do so depends on your goal.

What is a counter argument in a thesis?

A counter argument is one that supports the opposing side. In an essay, it shows that you understand other viewpoints, have considered them, and ultimately dismissed them.

Where do I place the counter argument in an essay?

Place the counter argument after your main supporting arguments.

How long should the counter argument be?

It may be a single paragraph or multiple, depending on how important you believe the counter argument to be and the length of the essay.

What is the difference between a counter argument and a rebuttal?

A counter argument describes the opposing side in some detail before it is refuted. In a rebuttal, you may simply oppose the opposition.

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Counterarguments

A counterargument involves acknowledging standpoints that go against your argument and then re-affirming your argument. This is typically done by stating the opposing side’s argument, and then ultimately presenting your argument as the most logical solution. The counterargument is a standard academic move that is used in argumentative essays because it shows the reader that you are capable of understanding and respecting multiple sides of an argument.

Counterargument in two steps

Respectfully acknowledge evidence or standpoints that differ from your argument.

Refute the stance of opposing arguments, typically utilizing words like “although” or “however.”

In the refutation, you want to show the reader why your position is more correct than the opposing idea.

Where to put a counterargument

Can be placed within the introductory paragraph to create a contrast for the thesis statement.

May consist of a whole paragraph that acknowledges the opposing view and then refutes it.

• Can be one sentence acknowledgements of other opinions followed by a refutation.

Why use a counterargument?

Some students worry that using a counterargument will take away from their overall argument, but a counterargument may make an essay more persuasive because it shows that the writer has considered multiple sides of the issue. Barnet and Bedau (2005) propose that critical thinking is enhanced through imagining both sides of an argument. Ultimately, an argument is strengthened through a counterargument.

Examples of the counterargument structure

• Argument against smoking on campus:  Admittedly, many students would like to smoke on campus. Some people may rightly argue that if smoking on campus is not illegal, then it should be permitted; however, second-hand smoke may cause harm to those who have health issues like asthma, possibly putting them at risk.
• Argument against animal testing:  Some people argue that using animals as test subjects for health products is justifiable. To be fair, animal testing has been used in the past to aid the development of several vaccines, such as small pox and rabies. However, animal testing for beauty products causes unneeded pain to animals. There are alternatives to animal testing. Instead of using animals, it is possible to use human volunteers. Additionally, Carl Westmoreland (2006) suggests that alternative methods to animal research are being developed; for example, researchers are able to use skin constructed from cells to test cosmetics. If alternatives to animal testing exist, then the practice causes unnecessary animal suffering and should not be used.

Harvey, G. (1999). Counterargument. Retrieved from writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/counter- argument

Westmoreland, C. (2006; 2007). “Alternative Tests and the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive.” Hester, R. E., & Harrison, R. M. (Ed.) Alternatives to animal testing (1st Ed.). Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.

Barnet, S., Bedau, H. (Eds.). (2006). Critical thinking, reading, and writing . Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Contributor: Nathan Lachner

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Writing Resources

Counterargument.

This handout is available for download in DOCX format and PDF format .

When you write an academic essay, you make an argument: you propose a thesis and offer evidence and reasoning to suggest why the thesis is true. When you counter-argue, you consider a possible argument against your thesis or some aspect of your logic. This is a good way to test your ideas early on, while you still have time to revise them. And in the finished essay, it can be a persuasive and disarming tactic. It allows you to anticipate doubts and pre-empt possible objections; it presents you as someone who weighs alternatives before arguing for one, who confronts difficulties instead of ignoring them, who is more interested in discovering the truth than winning a point.  

Not every objection is worth entertaining, of course, and you shouldn't include one just to include one. But some imagining of other views, or of resistance to one's own, occurs in most good essays. And instructors are glad to encounter counterargument in student papers, even if they haven't specifically asked for it.

The Turn Against

Counterargument in an essay has two stages: you turn against your argument to challenge it and then you turn back to re-affirm it. You first imagine a skeptical reader, or cite an actual source, who might resist your argument by pointing out:

• a problem with your demonstration, e.g., that a different conclusion could be drawn from the same facts, a key assumption is unwarranted, a key term is used unfairly, certain evidence is ignored or played down
• one or more disadvantages or practical drawbacks to what you propose
• an alternative explanation or proposal that makes more sense

You introduce this “turn against” with a phrase like One might object here that... or It might seem that... or It's true that... or Admittedly,... or Of course,... or with an anticipated challenging question: But how...? or But why...? or But isn't this just...? or But if this is so, what about...? Then you state the case against yourself as briefly but as clearly and forcefully as you can, pointing to evidence where possible. (An obviously feeble or perfunctory counterargument does more harm than good.)

The Turn Back

Your return to your own argument—which you announce with a but , yet , however , nevertheless or still —must likewise involve careful reasoning, not a flippant or nervous dismissal. In reasoning about the proposed counterargument, you may:

• refute it, showing why it is mistaken—an apparent but not real problem
• acknowledge its validity or plausibility, but suggest why on balance it's relatively less important or less likely than what you propose, and thus doesn't overturn it
• concede its force and complicate your idea accordingly; restate your thesis in a more exact, qualified, or nuanced way that takes account of the objection; or start a new section in which you consider your topic in light of it. (This will work if the counterargument concerns only an aspect of your argument; if it undermines your whole case, you need a new thesis.)

Where to Put a Counterargument

Counterargument can appear anywhere in the essay, but it most commonly appears:

• as part of your introduction—before you propose your thesis—where the existence of a different view is the motive for your essay, the reason it needs writing
• as a section or paragraph just after your introduction, in which you lay out the expected reaction or standard position before turning away to develop your own
• as a quick move within a paragraph, where you imagine a counterargument not to your main idea but to the sub-idea that the paragraph is arguing or is about to argue
• as a section or paragraph just before the conclusion of your essay, in which you imagine what someone might object to what you have argued

Watch that you don't overdo it! An occasional counterargument will sharpen and energize your essay, but too many will weaken it by obscuring your main idea or hinting that you're ambivalent.

Counterargument in Pre-Writing and Revising

Good thinking constantly questions itself, so having an inner debate during the drafting stage can help you settle on a case worth making. As you consider possible theses and begin to write your draft, ask yourself: how might an intelligent person plausibly disagree with you or see matters differently? When you can imagine an intelligent disagreement, you have an arguable idea.

Others can be of assistance here, too! If you ask people around you what they think of topic X and/or stay alert for uncongenial remarks in class discussions, etc., you'll encounter a useful disagreement somewhere. Awareness of this disagreement, however you use it in your essay, will force you to sharpen your own thinking as you write. If you come to find the counterargument more persuasive than your thesis, consider making it your thesis and turning your original thesis into a counterargument. And finally, if you manage to draft an essay without imagining a counterargument, make yourself imagine one before you revise and see if you can integrate it.

Adapted from Gordon Harvey, The Elements of the Academic Essay, 2009.

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Writing a Paper: Responding to Counterarguments

Basics of counterarguments.

When constructing an argument, it is important to consider any counterarguments a reader might make. Acknowledging the opposition shows that you are knowledgeable about the issue and are not simply ignoring other viewpoints. Addressing counterarguments also gives you an opportunity to clarify and strengthen your argument, helping to show how your argument is stronger than other arguments.

Incorporating counterarguments into your writing can seem counterintuitive at first, and some writers may be unsure how to do so. To help you incorporate counterarguments into your argument, we recommend following the steps: (a) identify, (b) investigate, (c) address, and (d) refine.

Identify the Counterarguments

First you need to identify counterarguments to your own argument. Ask yourself, based on your argument, what might someone who disagrees counter in response? You might also discover counterarguments while doing your research, as you find authors who may disagree with your argument.

For example, if you are researching the current opioid crisis in the United States, your argument might be: State governments should allocate part of the budget for addiction recovery centers in communities heavily impacted by the opioid crisis . A few counterarguments might be:

• Recovery centers are not proven to significantly help people with addiction.
• The state’s money should go to more pressing concerns such as...
• Establishing and maintaining a recovery center is too costly.
• Addicts are unworthy of assistance from the state. 

Investigate the Counterarguments

Analyze the counterarguments so that you can determine whether they are valid. This may require assessing the counterarguments with the research you already have or by identifying logical fallacies . You may also need to do additional research.

In the above list, the first three counterarguments can be researched. The fourth is a moral argument and therefore can only be addressed in a discussion of moral values, which is usually outside the realm of social science research. To investigate the first, you could do a search for research that studies the effectiveness of recovery centers. For the second, you could look at the top social issues in states around the country. Is the opioid crisis the main concern or are there others? For the third, you could look for public financial data from a recovery center or interview someone who works at one to get a sense of the costs involved. 

Address the Counterarguments

Address one or two counterarguments in a rebuttal. Now that you have researched the counterarguments, consider your response. In your essay, you will need to state and refute these opposing views to give more credence to your argument. No matter how you decide to incorporate the counterargument into your essay, be sure you do so with objectivity, maintaining a formal and scholarly tone . 

Considerations when writing:

• Will you discredit the counteragument by bringing in contradictory research?
• Will you concede that the point is valid but that your argument still stands as the better view? (For example, perhaps it is very costly to run a recovery center, but the societal benefits offset that financial cost.)
• Placement . You can choose to place the counterargument toward the beginning of the essay, as a way to anticipate opposition, or you can place it toward the end of the essay, after you have solidly made the main points of your argument. You can also weave a counterargument into a body paragraph, as a way to quickly acknowledge opposition to a main point. Which placement is best depends on your argument, how you’ve organized your argument, and what placement you think is most effective.
• Weight . After you have addressed the counterarguments, scan your essay as a whole. Are you spending too much time on them in comparison to your main points? Keep in mind that if you linger too long on the counterarguments, your reader might learn less about your argument and more about opposing viewpoints instead. 

Refine Your Argument

Considering counterarguments should help you refine your own argument, clarifying the relevant issues and your perspective. Furthermore, if you find yourself agreeing with the counterargument, you will need to revise your thesis statement and main points to reflect your new thinking. 

Templates for Responding to Counterarguments

There are many ways you can incorporate counterarguments, but remember that you shouldn’t just mention the counterargument—you need to respond to it as well. You can use these templates (adapted from Graff & Birkenstein, 2009) as a starting point for responding to counterarguments in your own writing.

• The claim that _____ rests upon the questionable assumption that _____.
• X may have been true in the past, but recent research has shown that ________.
• By focusing on _____, X has overlooked the more significant problem of _____.
• Although I agree with X up to a point, I cannot accept the overall conclusion that _____.
• Though I concede that _____, I still insist that _____.
• Whereas X has provided ample evidence that ____, Y and Z’s research on ____ and ____ convinces me that _____ instead.
• Although I grant that _____, I still maintain that _____.
• While it is true that ____, it does not necessarily follow that _____.

Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2009). They say/I say: The moves that matter in academic writing (2 nd ed.). Norton.

Didn't find what you need? Email us at [email protected] .

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4.5 Identifying Concessions and Counter Arguments

Learning objectives.

• Identify the parts of a reasonable concession
• Evaluate paragraphs for concessions
• Apply concession format to a series of sentences

Let’s take some time to learn how to concede logical points and then counter them appropriately. These skills are INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. Oftentimes, only the strongest and most confident writers can write in a concession style. Your use of concession-style thesis statements and concessions throughout a response signals to your readers that you are a confident and capable writer and critical thinker. Concessions are invaluable to DISCOURSE and DIALOGUE, the two most important parts of responsible argumentation.

The purpose of this chapter and its activities is to teach you how to concede strong points and, more importantly, how to counter them effectively.  Students new to writing arguments often think that including concessions will weaken their argument or that a reader will be more likely to agree with them if they pretend that no weaknesses exist in the argument. This assumption is untrue. In fact, your willingness to admit where the prompt writer’s argument has value and either present an extension of that argument or move it in a different direction is really impressive.

What is more, you will be learning to grow comfortable in conceding that your own argument might have limitations. All arguments have limitations, whether they belong to a prompt writer or to you. Remember the final instruction given to you before all prompt responses (Goal #3)?

Your Task:  compose a critical response essay—including, ideally, an introduction, at least three body paragraphs, and a conclusion—to the text below

Goals:  your essay should include the following:

• A brief summary of the author’s argument
• mostly agree with the author  and  provide your own persuasive assertions that  extend support for the author’s position
• mostly disagree with the author  and  provide your own persuasive assertions that  defend your counter-position
• Your refutation of  at least one  objection a reader might have to  your  argument (or any point therein)

At a very basic level, the purpose behind learning counter-arguments is because the prompt instructions on each prompt ask you to do so.  The goal of that instruction is to teach you how to strengthen your argument.  Acknowledging weaker points (or strong points from your opposition) makes your writing more compelling because it demonstrates to your reader that 1) you have actually considered the topic without making snap judgments, and 2) you are not hiding the weaknesses of your argument from your reader, hoping that they will miss them.

More importantly, it creates an honest relationship between you and your reader, which is essential because some audiences will know something about the topic of your argument already, and they could have oppositions to offer.  Ultimately, you need to learn how to concede and counter in writing because you cannot respond to a reader’s objections verbally, as you might in a conversation.  The greater challenge is to anticipate the objections and respond to them before they come up. This strategy is akin to an artist writing a diss track in which they not only identify faults in their rival but also in themselves. What ammunition is left for their rival in response? When you “anticipate and defend,” there is little left for the opposition. It is a proven strategy.

To begin the process, we need to understand how to make reasonable concessions first.  It’s likely that you may have already learned how to make one of these two types of concessions early in your WRIT course, but let’s look over them again.

First, read the following prompt below.  You can also Download a PDF version (68.7 KB) if you prefer.

Drink Your Way to Success by Randolph Hennepin

The following editorial appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Today’s Student

     Success in just about any profession often depends on a person’s ability to network, and to develop contacts. A prime way to network is over drinks. In fact, a person who does not drink is less likely to be successful than one who does . Students who spend time drinking rather than studying are ensuring their eventual success.

     Facts are facts. A recent study “found drinkers earn between 10 and 14 percent more than non-drinkers.” Further, according to the same study, men who go to a bar at least once a month earn an additional 7 percent. The reason for the success of drinkers, according to the author of the study, is that “Social drinking builds social capital. Social drinkers are networking, building relationships and adding contacts to their [phones] that result in bigger paycheques.”

     Perhaps this study is not good news for people who do not drink. Perhaps these people feel that there are other ways to develop contacts, such as getting involved in charitable organizations or meeting colleagues for breakfast instead of in a bar after work. While these strategies do have merit, neither is as effective as the social networking that occurs while drinking.

     In fact, a reasonable conclusion from this study would be to encourage students to learn how to drink. Knowing how to drink without embarrassing oneself is a key skill in business, as the above study proves. Therefore, students should not feel guilty about spending evenings drinking instead of working or studying, since drinking will lead to their eventual success. Students should not focus on school other than to do well enough to pass; otherwise, they are doomed to earn less than their peers who put their study time to good use by hitting the bottle.

Now, look at these straightforward responses to the prompt and determine which one uses a  general concession and which one uses a  specific concession .

• Introduction: Version 1

In “Drink Your Way to Success,” Randolph Hennepin argues that students need to focus more on drinking than studying in order to be successful in their future professions and careers.  Hennepin justifies this position by suggesting that social drinkers tend to be better at social networking and, because of this, tend to build better social capital with others in their professions, as well as earn more money over their careers.   Although Hennepin makes some good points, his argument is flawed.   If students focus more on drinking than studying, as Hennepin suggests, they will likely never do well enough in their courses to get into their profession in the first place.  Focusing on drinking rather than studying will lead to students who are less likely to graduate and less likely to achieve success in the workplace.

• Introduction: Version 2

In “Drink Your Way to Success,” Randolph Hennepin argues that students need to focus more on drinking than studying in order to be successful in their future professions and careers.  Hennepin justifies this position by suggesting that social drinkers tend to be better at social networking and, because of this, tend to build better social capital with others in their professions, as well as earn more money over their careers.  While it may be true that building up social capital is important for some professions, stating that students should focus on drinking instead of studying will not necessarily lead to eventual success . If students focus more on drinking than studying, as Hennepin suggests, they will likely never do well enough in their courses to get into their profession in the first place.  Focusing on drinking rather than studying will lead to students who are less likely to graduate and less likely to achieve success in the workplace.

Activity 1: Identifying Concessions

Which introduction in the above example uses a more specific concession? Vote on your choice below and then view the results. Click the accordion below to learn more.

The purpose behind the concession is two-fold:

• It provides your reader with a clear indication that you are shifting from your summary of the author’s position to your argument or response to the position.
• It is the first indication of a possible concession and counter-argument that you might make in your body paragraphs.

Now, while the first paragraph offers a modicum of concession (“the author makes some good points”), it doesn’t acknowledge what good points the author might have made, which makes it a weaker concession. Remember that the point here is to acknowledge that, even though you might not agree with the author, you clearly understand the reasonable elements of the argument. The second option offers a much clearer concession.

The next section includes practice activities for concessions and counterarguments.

Putting the Pieces Together Copyright © 2020 by Andrew M. Stracuzzi and André Cormier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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21 Argument, Counterargument, & Refutation

In academic writing, we often use an Argument essay structure. Argument essays have these familiar components, just like other types of essays:

• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs

But Argument essays also contain these particular elements:

• Debatable thesis statement in the Introduction
• Argument – paragraphs which show support for the author’s thesis (for example: reasons, evidence, data, statistics)
• Counterargument – at least one paragraph which explains the opposite point of view
• Concession – a sentence or two acknowledging that there could be some truth to the Counterargument
• Refutation (also called Rebuttal) – sentences which explain why the Counterargument is not as strong as the original Argument

Consult  Introductions & Titles for more on writing debatable thesis statements and  Paragraphs ~ Developing Support for more about developing your Argument.

Imagine that you are writing about vaping. After reading several articles and talking with friends about vaping, you decide that you are strongly opposed to it.

Which working thesis statement would be better?

• Vaping should be illegal because it can lead to serious health problems.

Many students do not like vaping.

Because the first option provides a debatable position, it is a better starting point for an Argument essay.

Next, you would need to draft several paragraphs to explain your position. These paragraphs could include facts that you learned in your research, such as statistics about vapers’ health problems, the cost of vaping, its effects on youth, its harmful effects on people nearby, and so on, as an appeal to logos . If you have a personal story about the effects of vaping, you might include that as well, either in a Body Paragraph or in your Introduction, as an appeal to pathos .

A strong Argument essay would not be complete with only your reasons in support of your position. You should also include a Counterargument, which will show your readers that you have carefully researched and considered both sides of your topic. This shows that you are taking a measured, scholarly approach to the topic – not an overly-emotional approach, or an approach which considers only one side. This helps to establish your ethos as the author. It shows your readers that you are thinking clearly and deeply about the topic, and your Concession (“this may be true”) acknowledges that you understand other opinions are possible.

Here are some ways to introduce a Counterargument:

• Some people believe that vaping is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
• Critics argue that vaping is safer than conventional cigarettes.
• On the other hand, one study has shown that vaping can help people quit smoking cigarettes.

Your paragraph would then go on to explain more about this position; you would give evidence here from your research about the point of view that opposes your own opinion.

Here are some ways to begin a Concession and Refutation:

• While this may be true for some adults, the risks of vaping for adolescents outweigh its benefits.
• Although these critics may have been correct before, new evidence shows that vaping is, in some cases, even more harmful than smoking.
• This may have been accurate for adults wishing to quit smoking; however, there are other methods available to help people stop using cigarettes.

Your paragraph would then continue your Refutation by explaining more reasons why the Counterargument is weak. This also serves to explain why your original Argument is strong. This is a good opportunity to prove to your readers that your original Argument is the most worthy, and to persuade them to agree with you.

Activity ~ Practice with Counterarguments, Concessions, and Refutations

A. Examine the following thesis statements with a partner. Is each one debatable?

B. Write  your own Counterargument, Concession, and Refutation for each thesis statement.

Thesis Statements:

• Online classes are a better option than face-to-face classes for college students who have full-time jobs.
• Students who engage in cyberbullying should be expelled from school.
• Unvaccinated children pose risks to those around them.
• Governments should be allowed to regulate internet access within their countries.

Is this chapter:

…too easy, or you would like more detail? Read “ Further Your Understanding: Refutation and Rebuttal ” from Lumen’s Writing Skills Lab.

Note: links open in new tabs.

reasoning, logic

emotion, feeling, beliefs

moral character, credibility, trust, authority

goes against; believes the opposite of something

ENGLISH 087: Academic Advanced Writing Copyright © 2020 by Nancy Hutchison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Argumentative Essays: The Counter-Argument & Refutation

An argumentative essay presents an argument for or against a topic. For example, if your topic is working from home , then your essay would either argue in favor of working from home (this is the for  side) or against working from home.

Like most essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction that ends with the writer's position (or stance) in the thesis statement .

Introduction Paragraph

(Background information....)

• Thesis statement : Employers should give their workers the option to work from home in order to improve employee well-being and reduce office costs.

This thesis statement shows that the two points I plan to explain in my body paragraphs are 1) working from home improves well-being, and 2) it allows companies to reduce costs. Each topic will have its own paragraph. Here's an example of a very basic essay outline with these ideas:

• Background information

Body Paragraph 1

• Topic Sentence : Workers who work from home have improved well-being .
• Evidence from academic sources

Body Paragraph 2

• Topic Sentence : Furthermore, companies can reduce their expenses by allowing employees to work at home .
• Summary of key points
• Restatement of thesis statement

Does this look like a strong essay? Not really . There are no academic sources (research) used, and also...

You Need to Also Respond to the Counter-Arguments!

The above essay outline is very basic. The argument it presents can be made much stronger if you consider the counter-argument , and then try to respond (refute) its points.

The counter-argument presents the main points on the other side of the debate. Because we are arguing FOR working from home, this means the counter-argument is AGAINST working from home. The best way to find the counter-argument is by reading research on the topic to learn about the other side of the debate. The counter-argument for this topic might include these points:

• Distractions at home > could make it hard to concentrate
• Dishonest/lazy people > might work less because no one is watching

Next, we have to try to respond to the counter-argument in the refutation (or rebuttal/response) paragraph .

The Refutation/Response Paragraph

The purpose of this paragraph is to address the points of the counter-argument and to explain why they are false, somewhat false, or unimportant. So how can we respond to the above counter-argument? With research !

A study by Bloom (2013) followed workers at a call center in China who tried working from home for nine months. Its key results were as follows:

• The performance of people who worked from home increased by 13%
• These workers took fewer breaks and sick-days
• They also worked more minutes per shift

In other words, this study shows that the counter-argument might be false. (Note: To have an even stronger essay, present data from more than one study.) Now we have a refutation.

Where Do We Put the Counter-Argument and Refutation?

Commonly, these sections can go at the beginning of the essay (after the introduction), or at the end of the essay (before the conclusion). Let's put it at the beginning. Now our essay looks like this:

Counter-argument Paragraph

• Dishonest/lazy people might work less because no one is watching

Refutation/Response Paragraph

• Study: Productivity  increased by 14%
• (+ other details)

Body Paragraph 3

• Topic Sentence : In addition, people who work from home have improved well-being .

Body Paragraph 4

The outline is stronger now because it includes the counter-argument and refutation. Note that the essay still needs more details and research to become more convincing.

Working from home may increase productivity.

Extra Advice on Argumentative Essays

It's not a compare and contrast essay.

An argumentative essay focuses on one topic (e.g. cats) and argues for or against it. An argumentative essay should not have two topics (e.g. cats vs dogs). When you compare two ideas, you are writing a compare and contrast essay. An argumentative essay has one topic (cats). If you are FOR cats as pets, a simplistic outline for an argumentative essay could look something like this:

• Thesis: Cats are the best pet.
• are unloving
• cause allergy issues
• This is a benefit >  Many working people do not have time for a needy pet
• If you have an allergy, do not buy a cat.
• But for most people (without allergies), cats are great
• Supporting Details

Use Language in Counter-Argument That Shows Its Not Your Position

The counter-argument is not your position. To make this clear, use language such as this in your counter-argument:

• Opponents might argue that cats are unloving.
• People who dislike cats would argue that cats are unloving.
• Critics of cats could argue that cats are unloving.
• It could be argued that cats are unloving.

These  underlined phrases make it clear that you are presenting  someone else's argument , not your own.

Choose the Side with the Strongest Support

Do not choose your side based on your own personal opinion. Instead, do some research and learn the truth about the topic. After you have read the arguments for and against, choose the side with the strongest support as your position.

Do Not Include Too Many Counter-arguments

Include the main (two or three) points in the counter-argument. If you include too many points, refuting these points becomes quite difficult.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below.

- Matthew Barton / Creator of Englishcurrent.com

Additional Resources :

• Writing a Counter-Argument & Refutation (Richland College)
• Language for Counter-Argument and Refutation Paragraphs (Brown's Student Learning Tools)

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24 comments on “ Argumentative Essays: The Counter-Argument & Refutation ”

Thank you professor. It is really helpful.

Can you also put the counter argument in the third paragraph

It depends on what your instructor wants. Generally, a good argumentative essay needs to have a counter-argument and refutation somewhere. Most teachers will probably let you put them anywhere (e.g. in the start, middle, or end) and be happy as long as they are present. But ask your teacher to be sure.

Thank you for the information Professor

how could I address a counter argument for “plastic bags and its consumption should be banned”?

For what reasons do they say they should be banned? You need to address the reasons themselves and show that these reasons are invalid/weak.

Thank you for this useful article. I understand very well.

Thank you for the useful article, this helps me a lot!

Thank you for this useful article which helps me in my study.

Thank you, professor Mylene 102-04

it was very useful for writing essay

Very useful reference body support to began writing a good essay. Thank you!

Really very helpful. Thanks Regards Mayank

Thank you, professor, it is very helpful to write an essay.

It is really helpful thank you

It was a very helpful set of learning materials. I will follow it and use it in my essay writing. Thank you, professor. Regards Isha

Thanks Professor

This was really helpful as it lays the difference between argumentative essay and compare and contrast essay.. Thanks for the clarification.

This is such a helpful guide in composing an argumentative essay. Thank you, professor.

This was really helpful proof, thankyou!

Thanks this was really helpful to me

This was very helpful for us to generate a good form of essay

thank you so much for this useful information.

Thank you so much, Sir. This helps a lot!

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Developing Strong Thesis Statements

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The thesis statement or main claim must be debatable

An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade people.

Example of a non-debatable thesis statement:

This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem. No one could reasonably argue that pollution is unambiguously good.

Example of a debatable thesis statement:

This is an example of a debatable thesis because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that this is how we should spend the nation's money. Others might feel that we should be spending more money on education. Still others could argue that corporations, not the government, should be paying to limit pollution.

Another example of a debatable thesis statement:

In this example there is also room for disagreement between rational individuals. Some citizens might think focusing on recycling programs rather than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.

The thesis needs to be narrow

Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right.

Example of a thesis that is too broad:

There are several reasons this statement is too broad to argue. First, what is included in the category "drugs"? Is the author talking about illegal drug use, recreational drug use (which might include alcohol and cigarettes), or all uses of medication in general? Second, in what ways are drugs detrimental? Is drug use causing deaths (and is the author equating deaths from overdoses and deaths from drug related violence)? Is drug use changing the moral climate or causing the economy to decline? Finally, what does the author mean by "society"? Is the author referring only to America or to the global population? Does the author make any distinction between the effects on children and adults? There are just too many questions that the claim leaves open. The author could not cover all of the topics listed above, yet the generality of the claim leaves all of these possibilities open to debate.

Example of a narrow or focused thesis:

In this example the topic of drugs has been narrowed down to illegal drugs and the detriment has been narrowed down to gang violence. This is a much more manageable topic.

We could narrow each debatable thesis from the previous examples in the following way:

Narrowed debatable thesis 1:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just the amount of money used but also how the money could actually help to control pollution.

Narrowed debatable thesis 2:

This thesis narrows the scope of the argument by specifying not just what the focus of a national anti-pollution campaign should be but also why this is the appropriate focus.

Qualifiers such as " typically ," " generally ," " usually ," or " on average " also help to limit the scope of your claim by allowing for the almost inevitable exception to the rule.

Types of claims

Claims typically fall into one of four categories. Thinking about how you want to approach your topic, or, in other words, what type of claim you want to make, is one way to focus your thesis on one particular aspect of your broader topic.

Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example:

Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example:

Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example:

Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example:

Which type of claim is right for your argument? Which type of thesis or claim you use for your argument will depend on your position and knowledge of the topic, your audience, and the context of your paper. You might want to think about where you imagine your audience to be on this topic and pinpoint where you think the biggest difference in viewpoints might be. Even if you start with one type of claim you probably will be using several within the paper. Regardless of the type of claim you choose to utilize it is key to identify the controversy or debate you are addressing and to define your position early on in the paper.

How To Create Rock Solid Arguments In Your Dissertation, Thesis Or Assignments

The 6 essential ingredients (with examples).

By: Derek Jansen | August 2017

Arguments happen all the time and that’s okay.

Whether we realise it or not, we have arguments every day. We may quarrel with a significant other over dirty dishes, disagree with an acquaintance over a political hot topic, or even argue with ourselves over the fact that we procrastinate too much. On a more serious note, we also face arguments in our professional and academic lives. For example:

• We debate in class or write assignments on how a company should resolve a particular crisis
• We propose and defend our theses, both orally and written
• We give a presentation to our boss(es) on how best to target a specific market segment

The point with arguments is that we try to convince someone (or ourselves) that we are right . So why don’t we always win our arguments? The art of persuasion is not a natural gift to all of us (it definitely isn’t for me). I’ve learned that I can’t stand on my passion and beliefs alone; I need cold hard facts to back me up.

This blog post will not make you an expert (and I do not claim to be an expert) at argument, but it will provide you with a framework and checklist to help you build strong arguments within your assignments, exams and dissertation or thesis. After all, strong, rigorous arguments are a mainstay of mark-earning work.

So, what do you need in an argument?

A strong argument has six essential ingredients:

• A clear, well-communicated objective/conclusion
• Premise(s) backed by relevant evidence
• Sound logic
• Clear qualifications
• Acknowledgement of counter-arguments
• Emotion and energy

Ingredient #1:

A clearly stated objective or conclusion.

First, an argument, just like any other assignment or research project, will go nowhere without an objective or conclusion. If you do not have a clear focus, you risk confusing yourself, your audience, and your marker. Therefore, you need to ensure that you are very clear about the point you are trying to make (your conclusion or objective). Sounds simple, but you’d be amazed just how many students are unclear about what their point is and, consequently, end up going nowhere slowly.

Throughout this post, I’ll use the example of Company X and its Product Z:

• Company X’s Product Z had great success in the UK, with over 100% ROI within the first two quarters.
• Strong demand for a product like Product Z exists in Germany, France, and Spain.
• Market competition Product Z is relatively low in the targeted European countries.
• Therefore, Company X will most likely launch product Z in Germany, France, and Spain.

The objective of my argument is to convince you that Company X will most likely successfully launch product Z in the targeted European countries. With this conclusion in focus, I will be able to identify and weigh my strategic options, and then articulate the best way to achieve the objective.

So, the ultimate goal of the argument is to convince someone to agree with your conclusion… but why? Why are you trying to change someone’s mind? It’s not just to get great marks. You must have reasons for your conclusion – these reasons are called premises .

Ingredient #2:

Well-grounded premises.

Once you have your objective, you need to clearly communicate your premises. Premises are the building blocks that underpin your conclusion (objective); they provide evidence to lead the audience to agree with your conclusion (Side note: I use proof and premise as synonyms so that I remember the importance of including premises in my arguments). While there can only be one conclusion in an argument, there can be one or (ideally) many premises to support the conclusion. For example, in the case of Company X and Product Z: the two premises are that demand exists in these target countries, and market competition is relatively low.

Great premises have (at least) two requirements:

• They must be backed by credible, verifiable data; and
• They must be relevant to the conclusion.

Data trumps gut

Strong arguments are not based on gut instinct. An argument without data-backed premises is, by definition, baseless. Let’s return to the above example: Demand exists in these target countries, and market competition is relatively low. To make these great premises, I need to add credible data points.

For example:

• An independent consulting firm conducted a market research study of 6,000 people in the targeted countries, and results revealed that high demand exists for a product like Product Z.
• The data collected from an independent consulting firm is a verifiable, citable source. Always double check your sources to make sure you understand and defend them.

Remember, data may not always come from an independent source – it may be outsourced/sponsored by a company, or a company may have an internal research arm. Be ready to ensure the credibility of the information if/when you are asked.

• IBISWorld’s latest industry report shows that market competition Product Z is relatively low in the targeted European countries.
• IBISWorld is a well-recognized provider of industry information and may be a source that your marker recommended. Similar to the point above, this data point is credible and can easily be verified.

To gather information, I suggest you prioritize using class- or school-prescribed sources first; use additional sources to complement, not replace, the class recommended sources.

Relevance is essential

While your premises must be data-backed, they must also be relevant to your conclusion. In other words, relevant premises have evidence that is clearly and logically linked to your conclusion. Be wary of following into the “my premise is true so it must be relevant” trap. If a premise is deemed irrelevant, your argument loses weight because you appear to lose focus.

For example: Company X recently built a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the United States.

Your marker will ask: how is this a manufacturing facility in the US connected to your conclusion? The answer is, that premise does not connect. Yes, it is true, but it does not seem logical that a manufacturing facility is strategically linked to a product launch in Europe. Use logic to make sure that your premises are relevant.

Need a helping hand?

Ingredient #3:

Ensuring that your arguments are underpinned by firm logic is… logical. You want to convince your audience, so you need to make sense when building and stating your argument. When making your argument, select your line of reasoning: deductive or inductive.

When making your argument, select your line of reasoning: deductive or inductive. Logically (pun intended), sound deductive reasoning means that your conclusion can be deducted from your valid premises; cogent inductive reasoning means that your conclusion can be inferred from your strong premises.

Deductive reasoning

In deductive reasoning, the premises are a series of consequential statements that lead to the conclusion. To form a conclusion through deduction, you use general premises to point to a specific conclusion. Deductive reasoning is typically focused on the past or present: the general premises have been tested and lead to a specific past or present conclusion.

To identify if an argument is sound, you first check whether the argument is valid. Then, assess if the premises are true or false. Here is an example of deductive reasoning:

• Premise : Most tech companies have a Chief Innovation Officer.
• Premise : Company X is a tech company.
• Conclusion : We may conclude that Company X has a Chief Innovation Officer.

In the above example, the premises start general and then get more specific as they get to the conclusion. Deductive arguments are classified as valid or invalid and deemed to be sound or unsound. To check the validity of the argument, ask this question:

Assuming that the premises are true, does it logically follow that this conclusion is also true?

If the answer is yes, like with the example above, then the argument is valid. It is important to note that the premises do not actually have to be true in order for an argument to be valid. For example, Company X could actually be a healthcare company. However, the argument is still valid because it makes sense that if Company X were hypothetically a tech company, it makes sense that it would have a CIO.

To see if the argument is sound, next check to see if the premises are actually true. An argument is not sound if it is based on false premises. Since in our example we have maintained that Company X is a tech company, we know that premise to be true. Based on other information, we also know that most tech companies have a Chief Innovation Officer. We have two true premises, so we have a sound argument. If Company X actually turned out to be a healthcare company, then we would have one false premise. The argument is therefore unsound because it is based on a false premise.

Inductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive reasoning: specific premises infer a general conclusion. Inductive reasoning is typically geared towards conclusions that will happen in the future. In other words, the conclusion is a prediction that will be tested through future observation. The example we have been using throughout this post is an example of inductive reasoning:

• Premise : Company X’s Product Z had great success in the UK, with over 100% ROI within the first two quarters.
• Premise : An independent consulting firm conducted a survey of 6,000 people in Germany, France, and Spain, revealing a strong demand for Product Z.
• Premise : IBISWorld’s latest industry report shows that market competition Product Z is relatively low in the targeted European countries.
• Conclusion : Therefore, Company X will most likely successfully launch product Z in Germany, France, and Spain.

Inductive arguments are classified as strong or weak and deemed to be cogent or uncogent. In terms of the strength of an inductive argument, there is a little more grey area than when gauging the validity of a deductive argument. The validity of a deductive argument is pretty clear-cut: you assess if a conclusion from the past or present is either true or false. However, in an inductive argument, the conclusion is a prediction, so you cannot be 100% sure if it is actually true or false. Therefore, you ask:

Assuming that the premises are true, is there more than a 50% chance that the conclusion will actually happen?

If the answer is yes, like in the example above, then the argument is strong.

Just as with deductive arguments, the next step in assessing an inductive argument is evaluating the truth of its premises. A true premise is backed up with data. For example, in the above argument, the premises contain data. If, after verification that the data is true, then the argument is cogent. If it turns out that the data is false – for example, if market research reveals that there is not much demand for Product Z, then the argument is not cogent.

Pro tip: Look at the argument’s premise and conclusion indicator words to identify if or inductive reasoning was used. Words that refer to the past or present are used in deductive reasoning; words that refer to the future, or form a hypothesis , are used in inductive reasoning.

That was a lot of information to throw at you. Here are the main points to take away:

• In deductive reasoning, validity and soundness are different concepts. Validity refers to the feasibility of the conclusion; soundness refers to the truthfulness of the premises.
• In inductive reasoning, strength and cogency are different concepts. Strength refers to the feasibility of the conclusion; cogency refers to the truthfulness of the premises.

Ingredient #4:

The conclusions you draw in your argument are not universally applicable (surprise!); there will typically be limitations to the generalisability of your argument – in other words, it will not necessarily be a sound argument in all contexts (in fact, very little is every universally true or relevant). For example, it may only be true in a certain country, for certain people, in a specific organisation, at a certain time of year, etc.

Before finalising your assignment or dissertation and concluding that you have solved the world’s problems, consider the situations in which your arguments might not work. In doing so, you identify your argument’s qualifications.

Remember to use qualifying indicator words (such as “in many cases”, “most”, “predictably”) to help explain your conclusion. For example:

• Premise: Company X’s Product Z had great success in the UK, with over 100% ROI within the first two quarters.
• Premise: An independent consulting firm conducted a survey of 6,000 people in Germany, France, and Spain, revealing a strong demand for Product Z.
• Premise: IBISWorld’s latest industry report shows that market competition Product Z is relatively low in the targeted European countries.
• Conclusion: Therefore, Company X will most likely successfully launch product Z in Germany, France, and Spain.
• Qualification: However, Company X must consider cultural and importation barriers that can hinder the success of Product Z’s expansion.

Ingredient #5:

Acknowledgement of the counter-arguments.

Similarly to qualifying your argument, a good argument needs to anticipate the opposition. There will almost always be counter-arguments to any argument – very little is cut and dry. Therefore, analysing and addressing counter-arguments shows the marker that you have put in considerable time and thought to develop the best scenario.

Additionally, if you have a strong defence against an opposing view, you may very well be likely to turn naysayers into advocates. Potential challenges you can anticipate and address are:

• A different conclusion may be drawn using your own premises
• A question of the importance or validity of your premises
• There may be significant drawbacks to your conclusion

You have some options in addressing counter-arguments:

• Point out and prove errors in the counter-argument.
• Acknowledge the strength or validity of the counter-argument, but show why it is not as strong or valid as your original argument, or within your particular context (i.e. a specific industry or country)
• If the counter-argument points a flaw in one aspect of your conclusion, rewrite your conclusion in a more detailed manner.

Here’s an example:

• Counter argument: Product Z will face tremendous cultural and financial barriers if launched across Europe.
• Response to counter-argument: The launch will occur in phases. Company X will first beta test Product Z in order to understand how to tailor the product and better understand how to import and market the product.

Ingredient #6: Emotion and energy

Lastly, arguments need to do demonstrate a level of emotion in order to be convincing. This might seem contradictory to my previous point about arguments needing to be built on data-backed premises, but it’s not. Simply put, your argument needs to be fueled by data and demonstrated and communicated with emotion and energy.

 Imagine standing up in front of your class and just saying, “We need to implement strategy X because we will increase our market share.” without intonation. No matter how great your prepared argument is, you will lose the attention of your audience if you do not exhibit emotion and energy. We’ve all had that one lecturer who drones on and on, and we quickly lose interest in the subject. Don’t be like that lecturer. Be you. I’m not saying to gesticulate wildly and shout at top volume; it is possible to be poised and passionate at the same time.

Remember: emotion can also be felt in writing. Think of your favorite author, journalist, or researcher. How does she write? She must show emotion in her writing in order to keep you engaged. Try to channel that passion/emulate her writing to make sure that your voice can be heard in your writing.

Wrapping up

In this post, I have discussed six elements of a good argument. Build your arguments using these ingredients and you will no doubt improve the quality of your academic work.

Here’s the checklist for quick reference – a good argument should have:

These elements will help you convey to your marker an articulate, sensible argument that was created after the consideration of several scenarios.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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I’ve never come across a much simpler explanation of the Inductive and Deductive concept. Thanks for this.

I concur. I love it when things are written in understandable language.

I enjoyed this article! Easily understandable.

Glad to hear that, Georgios!

This article is so helpful for me who is ready to write my postgrad dissertation! Thank you!

Great to hear that, Lizzy. Good luck with your dissertation!

Straightforward and to the point! I like that, especially since I don’t have time to beat around the bush.

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Gordon-Conwell Writing Center

• Understanding Writing Expectations
• Brainstorming and Writer's Block
• Outlining for Successful Writing
• Writing a Strong Introduction
• Creating a Clear Thesis Statement
• Developing Body Paragraphs
• Connecting Ideas with Transitions
• Choosing the Best Sources
• Using Sources Effectively
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Paraphrasing without Plagiarizing

Addressing Counterarguments

• Ending with a Strong Conclusion
• Using Words Wisely
• Punctuating Correctly
• Revising, Editing, & Proofreading
• Applying Feedback
• Formatting Correctly
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Rarely do two people agree on everything. People’s backgrounds, experiences, and ideologies naturally cause differences in opinion. Therefore, a writer must not assume that all readers will agree with his/her ideas and should subsequently seek to present information in a unbiased way. Presenting information in an unbiased way can be tricky, but it is an important part of maintaining credibility as a writer. With this in mind, readers are not likely to take a writer seriously if he/she has only presented one side of an argument. Writers must consider all sides of a topic. This is accomplished by integrating counterarguments within a written text.

Summarized Explanation

• Counterarguments increase a writer’s credibility by avoiding bias.
• Counterarguments address alternative views on a given topic.
• Counterarguments involve refuting or conceding alternative views.
• Counterarguments should be fully developed.

Detailed Explanation

Writers should aim to include counterarguments in their writing to show that they have considered all major perspectives on a given topic. After first explaining the alternative perspective, a writer can choose to refute or concede it. Refuting an alternative view means to disprove it, and conceding an alternative view means acknowledging its merit (either fully or partially). Ideally, each key idea presented in a text should be followed by a counterargument. Furthermore, counterarguments should be fully developed like other body paragraphs using the sandwich template , and they should make use of transitions , especially those that show contrast. The counterargument section of a written text should read like a very polite debate. Counterarguments should ideally be presented after each corresponding key idea; see the example outlines .

The following example counterarguments will be based on one of the mock thesis statements presented in the related writing guide Creating a Clear Thesis Statement .

Thesis Statement: This writing guide will likely have a far-reaching effect since it is intended to support people who are writing for school, work, and ministry.

Based on this thesis statement, the writer’s three key ideas/arguments are:

• This writing guide will support people who are writing for school.
• This writing guide will support people who are writing for work.
• This writing guide will support people who are writing for ministry.

The easiest way to identity potential counterarguments is by making the original argument statements negative and expanding from there.

• This writing guide will NOT support people who are writing for school BECAUSE professors all have different expectations.
• This writing guide will NOT support people who are writing for work BECAUSE workers are not as concerned with the quality of their writing as students are.
• This writing guide will NOT support people who are writing for ministry BECAUSE it was primarily designed with academic writing in mind.

Now the writer must refute or concede each counterargument. Examples are provided below.

          (PARTIAL CONCESSION) Some may argue that this writing guide will not support people who are writing for school because professors all have different expectations, but this argument is misguided. It is true that professors have different general expectations for student writing, yet essentially all professors expect students to demonstrate the basic writing principles laid out in the guide. By following the writing guide, students will only strengthen their writing, and professors will presumably be impressed, which will result not only in increased knowledge but higher grades. Thus, while some may not see the value in students using the writing guide, it is unlikely that any harm can be done as students seek to write more effectively. 

          (PARTIAL CONCESSION)  Additionally, while workers may not be as concerned with the quality of their writing as students are, the writing guide will indeed be helpful for people who are writing for work. Workers may not receive a grade for their writing, but they should care because their writing can leave bosses and colleagues with a positive or negative impression. Therefore, the guide will hopefully emphasize the importance of writing well in all areas of life. In brief, whether workers care about their writing is not the point; all people should strive to write effectively, and this writing guide is here to help. 

          (REFUTATION)  Moreover, even though the writing guide is published by a school, it was not primarily designed with academic writing in mind. The writing guide and website were designed to provide support for all types of writing since people, even students, must regularly write for many purposes. For that reason, the writing guide and website speak frequently of different types of writing and give a variety of examples to be applicable to all. Therefore, whether a person is writing for school, work, or ministry, much knowledge can be gleaned from this resource. 

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How to Write a Compelling Counterargument in Essays [2025 Guide]

Jun 27, 2024 | 0 comments

Jun 27, 2024 | Blog | 0 comments

Embarking on the journey of crafting an argumentative essay is no small feat. It demands you not just to argue in favour of your perspective but to stand your ground with evidence-backed reasoning. The challenge intensifies when you disagree with varying viewpoints opposing yours, making your argument stronger by acknowledging and rebutting these perspectives with a counterargument.

A counterargument acts as a competing rationale, offering a spectrum of reasons that could potentially refute the claims you’ve laid out or question the validity of your thesis. Learning how to write a counterargument and implementing it within your essay is a strategic move. It demonstrates a holistic understanding of the subject matter, acknowledging and engaging with alternative viewpoints. Not only does this expose you to potential objections from your readers but also fortifies your argument, highlighting its superiority over the other perspectives through logical comparison. Writing a counterargument effectively can set the stage for a stronger overall argument.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of  how to write an argumentative essay , specifically how to integrate a robust counterargument into your essays to strengthen your argument. You’ll gain insights on how to identify, structure, position, and effectively counter these opposing views. Furthermore, we will delve into illustrative examples of counterargument paradigms and compositions, illustrating their potential to enhance both your persuasive writing flair and your argument’s strength.

Basics of Counterarguments

Grasping the concept of a counterargument is crucial before attempting to incorporate one into your essay. Essentially, a counterargument presents reasons opposing your thesis or any claims you’ve articulated, serving to showcase your consideration of different viewpoints and your preparedness to address counterarguments from your audience.

Counterarguments can draw from a variety of bases such as factual evidence, logical reasoning, ethical considerations, or emotional appeal. Their primary goal is to demonstrate your acknowledgement of alternate perspectives and your ability to engage with and rebut these objections thoughtfully, ultimately strengthening your argument.

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What is a counterargument? 

Far from merely presenting an opposing viewpoint, a counterargument is a well-reasoned, well-supported challenge to your essay’s thesis or any claim you’ve made. It must be relevant, substantiated, and compelling, steering clear of personal attacks, logical fallacies, or off-topic information.

Writing an argumentative paper involves crafting a counterargument that illustrates your deep engagement with the topic, underlining your critical-thinking skills and recognising the subject’s complexity. 

Why use a counterargument?

Including a counterargument in your argumentative paper signals to your readers that you are informed about diverse perspectives and prepared to discuss them with cogent evidence and rational argumentation, further solidifying the overall argument.

Incorporating a counterargument can refine your argument, showcasing its superiority in logic or persuasiveness over others. It can also shore up your standpoint, pinpointing and addressing the weaknesses or gaps in opposing arguments. By successfully countering, you not only solidify the validity and reliability of your thesis but also elevate your argument’s overall credibility and appeal.

Moreover, a well-placed counterargument can preemptively tackle reader queries or concerns, demonstrating your respect for the audience’s perspective and your commitment to a meaningful, evidence-based discourse.

How to address counterarguments

The initial step involves articulating the opposing viewpoint in a manner that is both fair and precise. Avoid misrepresenting, skewing, or sidelining the opposing argument. Steering clear of personal attacks, straw man fallacies, or irrelevant detours is essential towards maintaining a strong argument.

Introduce the counterargument with phrases like “on the other hand”, “it is often perceived that”, “critics may argue”, “although”, or “some people may think”.

Concisely paraphrase the counterargument and bolster it with evidence or rationale. Utilize facts, statistics, anecdotes, quotations, or examples to elucidate the opposing view. Recognizing any strengths or valid points of the counterargument and showing your contemplation of it is equally important.

Refuting the Counterargument

The next phase is to counter the opposing argument, illustrating its weaknesses or why it’s less compelling than your initially proposed argument. Avoid merely dismissing or glossing over the counterargument with emotional appeals, circular reasoning, or ad hominem attacks.

Transition to your rebuttal with phrases like “however”, “nevertheless”, “but”, “yet”, or “on the contrary”. Discuss the counterargument’s shortcomings, such as incompleteness, weakness, lack of soundness or logic, supporting your critique with evidence, logic, ethics, or emotional resonance. Highlight any potential fallacy, weaknesses, flaws, inconsistencies, or contradictions within the counterargument to challenge its validity or credibility.

Finally, bolster your original argument, demonstrating its greater persuasiveness, reliability, or reasonableness compared to the counterargument. This solidifies the main points of your argumentative paper, reinforcing your overall stance and conclusion by the end of the essay.

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Where to put a counterargument in Your Essay

Incorporating counterarguments into your essay is an art that requires strategic thought on placement for maximum impact. The decision on where to situate a counterargument hinges on several factors, including your essay’s purpose, audience, and subject matter. While no one-size-fits-all answer exists, adhering to some general guidelines can enlighten your decision-making process.

Introduction, Body, or Conclusion?

Common sections for embedding a counterargument are the introduction, body, or conclusion, with each presenting its own set of pros and cons which merit careful contemplation.

In the introduction, introducing a counterargument can sharply contrast with your thesis statement, setting a dynamic stage for your argument. This strategy not only seizes your readers’ attention but also previews the core issue your essay will explore. However, this approach may cramp the space needed to unfold your primary argument and lay out essential background information.

Within the body of your essay, placing a counterargument in a distinct paragraph or alongside your argument bolsters your thesis by demonstrating a thorough consideration of various viewpoints and evidence. Nonetheless, without seamless transitions, this might interrupt your narrative’s flow and overall coherence.

Positioning a counterargument in your conclusion allows for an acknowledgement of your argument’s limitations or broader implications before convincingly countering to reinforce your stance. This technique aims to leave a lasting impression, underscoring the relevance of your argument. However, it risks diluting your thesis if the counterargument isn’t effectively refuted or if it brings up new information previously unaddressed in your essay.

Flow and Coherence

Irrespective of your chosen location for the counterargument, ensuring it is thoroughly integrated and logically connected with your primary argument is crucial.

Employ clear, consistent transitions to introduce, assert, and coherently refute your counterargument. Using pertinent evidence and rational discourse supports both your counterargument and refutation, enhancing credibility and engagement.

Avoid erratic shifts between ideas without causal or logical linkages and mitigate any potential for reader confusion or self-contradiction with clear, consistent reasoning throughout your argumentative essay.

Effective Techniques for Refuting Counterarguments

Mastering the art of presenting a compelling counterargument includes being adept at refuting opposing arguments effectively. This involves demonstrating why the counterargument is weaker or less convincing compared to your argument, showing why the opposing argument might not be as sound as it appears.

To achieve this, leveraging evidence and logic while steering clear of fallacies is crucial. Addressing counterarguments with precision can significantly strengthen your argument.

Using Evidence and Logic

Utilizing evidence and logic that both support your stance and weaken the counterargument is the optimal strategy for refutation. Evidence encompasses facts, statistics, examples, quotations, or anecdotes that substantiate your argument.

Logic involves reasoning, analysis, or argumentation that elaborates or defends your position. Choosing evidence and logic that are relevant, reliable, and sufficient for your intended purpose and audience is essential. It’s also important to correctly cite your sources and acknowledge any potential limitations or uncertainties in your evidence or logic.

When employing evidence and logic to dismantle a counterargument, consider the following steps: Begin by stating the counterargument and explaining why a reasonable reader might pose it. Then, confront the counterargument based on its implications for your argument. You might refute it completely, recognize its validity but argue its lesser importance or likelihood compared to your argument, or acknowledge its validity while complicating your argument as a consequence.

The language you use to tackle the counterargument matters. Phrases such as “but” or “however” indicate you are refuting the counterargument, whereas “although” or “nevertheless” suggest acknowledgement or concession of the counterargument.

Avoiding Fallacies

Fallacies, which are errors or flaws in reasoning that render an argument invalid or unsound, can arise intentionally or unintentionally and might be rooted in false or misleading information, faulty logic, or irrelevant or emotional appeals. Fallacies not only weaken your argument but also affect your credibility.

To maintain a strong argumentation, it is pivotal to avoid fallacies in your reasoning and to identify and counter any fallacies within the counterargument. Examples of common fallacies to watch out for include:

• Personal attack (ad hominem), where the person rather than the argument is attacked;
• Strawman, which involves misrepresenting the counterargument to simplify its refutation; 
• Hasty generalization, concluding inadequate evidence; False dilemma, presenting only two options when more exist;
• Slippery slope, assuming one event will inevitably lead to another without proving a causal linkage;
• Circular reasoning, using the conclusion as a premise or assuming the proof;
• Red herring, introducing off-topic distractions to shift focus from the main argument.

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Examples of Counterargument Structures

Counterargument structures skillfully arrange your rebuttal and counterpoints in alignment with your primary argument. Depending on your essay’s purpose, audience, and theme, there are distinct counterargument structures to consider.

Explore these typical counterargument structures to find one that suits your needs:

• One-sided : Opt for this structure to focus solely on your argument, challenging the counterargument without acknowledging its valid points. It suits topics with clear, unambiguous support for your stance but might appear biased or dismissive.
• Two-sided : This approach presents both your argument and the counterargument, weighing the pros and cons of each. Ideal for complex or contentious topics with substantial support on both sides, beware of seeming uncertain or contradictory without a decisive stance.
• Multi-sided : Present multiple viewpoints, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. This structure fits multifaceted topics with varied perspectives. However, it requires careful focus to avoid becoming overwhelming or diluted.

Choosing a counterargument structure involves considering:

• Your purpose:  What do you aim to achieve? Whether it’s to persuade, inform, analyze, or evaluate, ensure your counterargument aligns with your objective.
• Your audience:  Understand whom you’re addressing. Consider their expectations, biases, values, and how your counterargument can meet their concerns or objections.
• Your topic:  Evaluate the main issue your essay tackles. Consider its complexity, controversy level, and significance, ensuring your counterargument showcases your insight into the topic.

Examples of Counterarguments Paragraph

We will delve into examples of counterargument paragraphs that serve as frameworks or inspirations for crafting your essay.

A counterargument paragraph navigates presenting an opposing view, countering it, and then reaffirming your argument. While the typical flow starts with the counterargument, followed by a refutation, and wraps up with reinforcing your stance, you may adjust the sequence or focus according to your essay’s goal, audience, and subject matter.

Below are distinct counterargument paragraph examples to help you write one that is effective:

Example 1 hails from an essay advocating the advantages of remote work for both employees and employers. Situated in the essay’s body, this paragraph first acknowledges the potential downside of diminished productivity at home and then counters it by highlighting how remote work can boost productivity.

People might suggest that working from home could impede productivity due to distractions like family, pets, or household duties potentially hampering focus and task completion. Additionally, the lack of oversight might encourage slack behaviour in dishonest or indolent individuals. These arguments, however, fall short. For one, remote work can minimize distractions by avoiding office-related noise, interruptions, or stress. Secondly, it enhances motivation and contentment through increased autonomy, flexibility, and comfort. Lastly, remote work’s effectiveness can be tracked and assessed using digital tools such as online platforms, video conferencing, or performance metrics. Thus, remote work doesn’t equate to lesser or inferior output but represents an alternative, more efficient way of working.

Example 2 comes from an essay urging the prioritization of physical education in schools. Positioned right in the essay’s introduction, before the thesis, this paragraph presents and rebuts the argument that physical education detracts from core academic subjects, affirming physical education’s contribution to academic success and health.

A counterpoint to valuing physical education in schools remarks on the reduction of precious time for core subjects like math and science. Contrary to this perspective, physical education holds equal importance. It can boost academic performance by sharpening cognitive abilities, focus, and memory. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in health by mitigating risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Hence, physical education should not be dismissed as time-consuming but embraced as a critical element of the educational framework.

Example 3 is extracted from an essay that champions a ban on animal testing, and inserted at the essay’s conclusion. This paragraph introduces the counterargument that views animal testing as essential for scientific and medical advancements, then disputes it by pointing out ethical and practical shortcomings.

Some may defend animal testing as pivotal for scientific breakthroughs and medical advancements, arguing its role in many significant health improvements. Nonetheless, this stance is ethically and logically deficient. Firstly, animal testing inflicts harm and death on countless animals each year, making it both unethical and cruel. Secondly, its results often do not accurately reflect human reactions, rendering it unreliable. Lastly, it’s an inefficient and costly method, draining resources that could be better utilized elsewhere. As such, animal testing ought to be abolished in favour of more ethical and efficient research methods.

Why include a counterargument?

Incorporating counterarguments in your essay might seem counterintuitive when you aim to convince your readers of your viewpoint while discrediting opposing perspectives. The rationale behind allocating space for contrary opinions might not be immediately apparent. Yet, this approach is instrumental in fortifying your argument, making it more compelling and nuanced.

The inclusion of counterarguments enriches your essay for several reasons:

Strengthening Your Argument

Featuring counterarguments in your text signifies comprehensive research and a profound understanding of the topic you’re handling. It showcases your critical thinking prowess and your capability to sift through and assess varying arguments and proofs. Presenting and then systematically dismantling these counterarguments not only demonstrates your readiness to confront opposition but also solidifies your stance as the more rational, well-supported option.

This methodology not only proves your position to be more substantiated and convincing but also highlights the foundation of your argument as being firmly planted in meticulous analysis and robust evidence, rather than in partiality, ignorance, or flawed reasoning. By including a counterargument, you show why the opposing argument is less valid, further bolstering your perspective.

Engaging the Reader

By acknowledging and deliberating on counterarguments, your essay becomes inherently more engaging and pertinent to the reader. It indicates respect and comprehension of their potential viewpoint, grounding your work in a sense of thoughtful consideration and open dialogue. You preemptively tackle their possible reservations or queries, thereby fostering a constructive interaction.

Integrating counterarguments invites your readers to exercise their analytical skills and to entertain various angles and evidence regarding the topic. It encourages a collective exploration towards uncovering the most effective resolution or conclusion concerning the debated issue.

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Templates for Responding to Counterarguments

Below are some templates for addressing counterarguments in your essays. Utilizing a template serves as a guiding blueprint to structure your rebuttal effectively. It aids in organizing thoughts, employing suitable language, and steering clear of prevalent errors.

Nevertheless, it’s crucial to not apply these templates rigidly or thoughtlessly. Always tailor them to your essay’s specific goals, intended audience, and subject matter.

To keep your writing dynamic and engaging, vary your language and style. Below, we present several template examples for counteracting counterarguments across diverse subjects and sources:

Template 1 : Provided by Cabrini University, this template involves naming the counterargument, explaining its weaknesses, and backing up your stance with solid evidence or logic.

People might argue that __________. However, these arguments are not compelling for a few reasons.

First, __________. Second, __________.

Third, __________. Therefore, __________.

Template 2: From the UAGC Writing Center, this template targets identifying the opposition’s view, critiquing its shortcomings, and presenting examples or evidence to reinforce your position.

One could argue against my stance by claiming that __________. Yet, this argument falls short as it is incomplete/weak/unsound/illogical due to __________. For instance, __________.

Thus, __________.

Template 3: Originating from Harvard College Writing Center , this template involves recognizing the counterargument, acknowledging its valid points, and demonstrating how your argument remains more convincing.

While I grant that __________, I still argue that __________. Although __________, nevertheless __________.

This is not to say that __________, but rather that __________.

Remember, these templates are starting points. Feel free to craft your own or adjust these to better match your essay’s demands.

Ensuring your counterargument responses are clear, coherent, and persuasive is paramount.

Conclusion on How To Write A Counterargument

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the essentials of crafting an effective counterargument within your argumentative essays. A counterargument presents viewpoints that contrast with your presentation, serving as a demonstration of your comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand. Embedding a counterargument is a strategic way of acknowledging opposing perspectives, thereby enhancing the credibility of your argument.

Incorporating a counterargument not only bolsters your primary stance by illustrating its relative superiority or logical coherence but also enriches the depth of your writing. Mastery in formulating counterarguments involves recognizing, organizing, positioning, and effectively addressing these opposing views. Critical to this process is the employment of substantive evidence and logical reasoning, steering clear of logical fallacies.

Versatility in counterargument structures allows you to adapt to your specific objectives, intended audience, and subject matter. Templates and exemplary counterargument paragraphs, gleaned from a variety of sources and themes, are invaluable tools in structuring your counterargument paragraphs.

Creating persuasive counterarguments transcends skill—it is an art that encapsulates creativity, critical analysis, and the power to persuade. Such a venture demands practice, constructive critique, and the willingness to revise and refine your work iteratively. By honing your ability to develop compelling counterarguments, you not only elevate your writing prowess but also foster more engaging and pertinent discourse with your readers.

Now is the moment to put theory into practice by choosing to include a counterargument in your next essay. Witness firsthand how this element can transform your writing, making it more dynamic and persuasive. Dive into the challenge today, and don’t hesitate to incorporate a counterargument to enhance your critical engagement with the topic you’re writing about.

Frequently Asked Questions about Counter Argument

What is included in a counterargument paragraph.

A counterargument paragraph typically includes a counterargument paragraph that challenges the main argument presented in the essay. It acknowledges and addresses the opposing viewpoints to strengthen your overall argument.

Using a counterargument in your writing allows you to strengthen your argument by addressing opposing viewpoints. It shows that you have considered different perspectives and strengthens the overall validity of your argument.

Where to address counterarguments

In your essay, it is important to address a counterargument in a dedicated counterargument paragraph . This can be placed after presenting your main argument to show how your argument is supported in the face of opposing views.

What is an example of a counterclaim in an essay?

An example of a counterclaim in an essay could be stating “Some people argue that cats are better pets than dogs; however, this claim can be contested based on various factors.”

How to start a counterclaim?

To begin writing a counterclaim, first, identify a key point where you disagree with your argument . Then, make an argument using evidence or logical reasoning to support your viewpoint and refine your argument .

Experienced writer and dedicated professor with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and nurturing the next generation of critical thinkers

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