5.10: Opposing Viewpoints
- Page ID
- 304811
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Oppositions are a necessary part of the argumentation process. They demonstrate that the writer is fair and unbiased, that the writer has considered all the information on both sides and has come to the conclusion that their opinion is the strongest. Basically, writers use oppositions to demonstrate to the reader how and why the writer’s opinion is superior.
There are three basic parts of an opposition:
- Opposing View
- Concession (optional)
- Refutation
The opposing viewpoint is an idea or opinion that is the opposite of your argument: it’s an idea you do not support. In your essay, the opposing viewpoint should be completely distinct from any other point already argued, e.g. if two supporting points argue that the social media has negative effects on relationships and students’ health, the opposing viewpoint cannot be that social media has positive effects on relationships; the writer has already argued that idea.
Instead, the opposing viewpoint should be an entirely new idea that hasn’t been previously discussed in the essay.
2. The second part of an opposition is the concession, which admits that the opposing viewpoint is partially correct. The concession acts as a bridge or transition between the opposing viewpoint and the refutation and shows, again, that the writer is fair and unbiased. This portion of an opposition isn’t always necessary, and an opposition without a separate concession sentence is called a simple concession (discussed further below).
3. Lastly, the third step in the process is called a refutation. To refute means to explain why the opposing argument is incorrect or not as strong as the writer’s argument, so this step highlights the strength of the original argument as presented in the essay. The writer should better support the refutation than the opposing viewpoint: after all, the writer believes the original argument is correct! Additionally,
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the refutation must directly answer the opposing viewpoint’s claim. The writer cannot simply repeat a previous claim or start an entirely unrelated debate: that choice would show that the writer either doesn’t have an answer to the opposing viewpoint or doesn’t have confidence in their answer.
As aforementioned, a simple concession is an opposition without a separate concession; with this strategy, the concession is built into the opposing viewpoint. The writer may choose this type of concession for many reasons, for example to keep the focus on the refutation/writer’s own argument or due to lack of space in essay requirements. A simple concession consists of only one sentence.
Simple Concession (includes opposing viewpoint with built-in concession and refutation):
Formula: subordinating concession word + opposing viewpoint + refutation Although/Even though/Though \(\qquad\) , \(\qquad\) . While/Whereas/Despite the fact that \(\qquad\)
\(\qquad\) -.
Although cities don’t have enough space to plant an entire forest of trees, even small clusters of trees scattered throughout the city can make a positive impact on the environment.
A complex concession, on the other hand, includes more than one sentence for each step in the opposition; however, the concession is still optional.
Complex Concession (includes opposing viewpoint and refutation):
A criticism of trees as a solution to cities’ environmental challenges is that cities don’t have enough space to plant an entire forest of trees. Most land in cities is needed for building projects such as houses or businesses. Even so, small clusters of trees scattered throughout the city can still make a positive impact on the environment. Municipal governments can plant trees all over the city, and they don’t need to be all in one spot like New York City’s Central Park to make a difference in residents’ quality of life or the environment.
Complex Concession (includes opposing viewpoint, concession, and refutation):
A criticism of trees as a solution to cities’ environmental challenges is that cities don’t have enough space to plant an entire forest of trees. Most land in cities is needed for building projects such as houses or businesses. It is true that cities are limited on space. Even so, small clusters of trees scattered throughout the city can
still make a positive impact on the environment. Municipal governments can plant trees all over the city, and they don’t need to be all in one spot like New York City’s Central Park to make a difference in residents’ quality of life or the environment.
Here are some templates to help introduce each step of a complex concession:
|c|c|c| To Introduce an Opposing View & To Signal a Concession & To Signal a Refutation
| - Some people say that |
| - Proponents of [opposing view; noun phrase] claim that |
| - Critics of [writer’s argument; noun phrase] maintain that |
| - A criticism of [writer’s argument; noun phrase] is that |
&
| - Granted, |
| - Indeed, |
| - It is a fact that |
| - It is true that |
| - Of course, |
&
| - However, |
| - Nevertheless, |
| - Even so, |
| - Yet in fact/as a matter of fact/it is a fact that |
Depending on if you choose a simple or complex concession (and in which paragraph you choose to incorporate an opposition argument), you may need to include a source in order to develop either the opposing viewpoint or the refutation. In that case, source sandwich rules apply!
PRACTICE 1: Composing Concessions and Refutations
Read the opposition arguments below then write a concession and refutation for each one.
|l|l|l| & &
| Students should be able to |
| evaluate their professors’ |
| performance because the |
| evaluation can help the |
| instructor do a better job. |
& &
| The government should |
| control the media because |
| the government needs to be |
| able to get important |
| information to everyone in a |
| timely fashion. |
& &
|l|l|l|
| Everyone should have to get a |
| college education because the |
| critical thinking skills built in |
| college positively affect the |
| rest of people’s lives. |
& &
| Standardized tests should be |
| used in college admissions |
| because it’s an easy way to |
| compare potential students |
| around the world. |
& &
PRACTICE 2: Composing Simple and Complex Concessions
Choose one of the oppositions from the table above, copy/paste it into the table below, and write both a simple and complex concession. Consider using the templates to guide you.
| Opposing Viewpoint: | Concession: | Refutation: |
|---|
Simple Concession (one sentence):
Complex Concession (multiple sentences):
PRACTICE 3: Practice Composing Concessions and Refutations
Step 1: Opposing Viewpoint
Read the controversial statement below and brainstorm reasons to agree and disagree with the argument.
Statement: Students shouldn’t have to study abroad because their future career may not involve other countries or cultures.
| Reasons I Agree | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1. |
Which side do you agree with more? Highlight either agree / disagree.
Choose one argument that you brainstormed from the opposite side (the side you didn’t choose). Paste it here:
| Opposition argument: | Opposition argument: |
|---|
Step 2: Concession
Choose one of the templates for a concession sentence and paste it here:
Step 3: Refutation
Brainstorm answers to the opposition argument listed above. Why is that argument wrong or incorrect?
| 1. | 1. |
|---|
Step 4: Put it All Together
Write a full complex opposition in the box below. Consider using the templates above to help get you started on each step.
Assignment: Identify a place in your essay where you can include an opposition. Will it be an entire paragraph, one subpoint, or just one sentence? Will it be in the introduction (see below)? Once you’ve found a spot, write your opposition.