Writing a counterargument
(The mental structure is "Yes....but...NO" or "Yeah...but...still" or "Yeah...but...even better")
Steps in Order:
- Concede (name the other side's argument)
- Rebut (tell why it's wrong OR why your side is still better.
It is true that _______________; however, ___________________.
You might think that ___________, but _____________________.
Admittedly, _________________________. However, ______________.
Granted, ________________________; however, ______________.
There seems to be a widespread belief that ___________________. Unfortunately, this simply is not true. In fact, _________________________.
Advanced Counterargument Frames
ZOOM OUT--Of course, no discussion of _________________ is complete without acknowledging ______________________.
ZOOM IN--Some people might say that _______________. On the surface, this seems to be true, but _______________.
It is true that___________________________. However, this does not _____________.
It's an unqualified truth that ____________________. The problem lies in _______________.
While__________________, there is never a justification to________________________.
Sample Counterarguments
- It is true that an 8 pm curfew would mean that I’m out after dark; however, I would be with Sarah and Tashana. You know how responsible they are!
- It is true that there’s not much time in the morning to make your bed; however, if you made it a habit, it would only take a minute.
- You might say that your little sister is annoying, but she only became that way when you started playing soccer. If you spent more time with her, she would stop pestering you and become more fun!
- You might say that you don’t have time to pick me up from after-school sports, but the school is on your way home from work. It would only be an extra five minutes.
- Of course, some people might argue that using plastic water bottles is more convenient; however, which is more important: convenience or the future of the planet?
- There seems to be a widespread belief that video games lead to isolation. In reality, this simply is not true. In fact, many teens use collaborative games, like Minecraft, to form lifelong bonds with their friends.