2.7: Finding the Responses to the Counterarguments
- Page ID
- 45436
.jpg?revision=4 "Anna Mills")
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After a writer summarizes another perspective, they will signal that they are switching back to their own perspective. If they have not already given a hint about their attitude to the other side, they will have to make their response clear now. Do they see the counterargument as completely wrong-headed, or as having some merit?
If the writer completely disagrees with the counterargument, they will follow up their description of it by pointing out its flaws. This direct rebuttal will bring the readers back to the writer's side. If they have just conceded a point, they will now emphasize the reason why their own argument still holds. The more the writer has credited the counterargument, the more they will need to explain why readers shouldn't accept it, at least not completely. Below are some phrases which can point toward the problem or limitation of the counterargument.
|
Attitude to the Counterargument |
Phrases |
|---|---|
|
If the writer considers the counterargument totally wrong |
|
|
If the writer partly agrees with the counterargument |
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In the border argument example, the writer concedes that the counterargument does have merit: "I admit that completely open borders would put our security at risk." Immediately, the writer responds, "But surely there are ways to regulate the border without criminalizing people who are driven by need and good intentions." The word “but” signals the transition from concession back to the writer's own side. In the map, we can put the rebuttal below the counterargument and use the arrow to show it supporting the main claim.
See the accessible text description of the argument map with counterargument and rebuttal.
Practice Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)
- Choose an argument you are reading for class or one of our suggested readings. You may want to focus on a short excerpt of one or more paragraphs.
- Read your text closely and identify any counterarguments it mentions. What is the writer's attitude to each counterargument?
- Decide what your attitude to this counterargument is. Choose a phrase from the above table to introduce the counterargument.