Argumentative Essay- Counterargument Writing

In an argumentative essay, your job is make the reader agree with your
opinion about a controversial topic. You have to (1) state your opinion, (2) give
reasons to support your opinion, and (3) argue against the opposite opinion.
Overall, you must convince the audience that your side of the argument is
correct. To convince the audience, your essay must be balanced—it must include
.your viewpoint and the opposing viewpoint, or counterargument
Even though you are arguing only one side of an issue, you must think about
what the other side would say about your opinion. After you give the
counterargument, you must refute it by showing that it is wrong. If your essay is
.balanced, a reader is more likely to agree with you

ORGANIZATION
Hook Paragraph 1 The most common
type of
Connecting/ INTRODUCTION
argumentative essay
Background
has five paragraphs.
Information
Like all essays, it
Main idea begins with an
Statement/Thesis introduction and
Statement ends with a
conclusion. In
between are the
body paragraphs
where you must do
three things: support
your opinion,
present the
opposing point of
view, and tell why
that viewpoint is
.wrong
Support 1 (first Paragraph 2
reason)
Body
 Explanation, detail,
example
 Explanation, detail,
example

Support 2 (second reason) Paragraph 3

 Explanation, detail, example
 Explanation, detail, example

1
Opposite Side Paragraph 4
 Counterargument 1
 Refutation (ATTACK)
 Counterargument 2
 Refutation (ATTACK)

Repeat your Paragraph 5 CONCLUSION

thesis statement
in different words
Suggestion/
Opinion/Prediction
for the future

2
Studying an Argumentative Essay
The following essay argues for the use of school uniforms. Discuss the Preview
Questions with the class. Then read the example essay and answer the questions
.that follow

3
4
5
TOPICS FOR ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS
After you choose a topic, think about what you know about it. What do you know
about your side of the argument and what do you know about the opposite side
of the argument? A good way to organize your ideas is to use a Pro & Con T-
chart. [Pro = in favor of thesis statement, Con = against thesis statement]
If you cannot think of several ideas for one or both sides, you should do more
.research about that topic or choose a different topic
Thesis statement: Cell phones should
.not be allowed in university classrooms
Cell phones distract students from .1
Cell phones can easily be turned off .1 learning if they send messages or play
.and kept out of sight .games in class

University students are not children .2 Cell phones might ring in class and .2
and cellphones are important in an .disturb the teacher
.emergency
Students could use cell phones to .3
Cell phones can be useful tools for .3 .cheat on tests
education such a being used as a
dictionary or to make memos

.Follow the steps below to develop ideas for an argument essay

First, choose any other topic and thesis statement that you want to write .1
about. Remember that the topic must have more than one point of view to
.qualify as an argument
:Essay topic
_________________________________________________________________________
____
:Thesis statement
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
______________
Now brainstorm ideas about your topic. Fill out the Pro & Con T-Chart with as .2
.many ideas as you can

6
CONs PROs

Look at your Pro & Con T-chart again. Choose three reasons from your PRO list .3
that support your thesis most effectively and circle them. You now know what
.your major supporting information will be

Now give attention to opposing points of view. In the box below, choose two .4
.counterarguments from your CON list and write a refutation for each
Refutation (ATTACK - Why is it Counterargument (from CON
wrong?) list)

Planning with an Outline

Try to complete the following outline before you begin writing your essay. You
may use more support sentences if you need. And try to use complete sentences
.when it is possible
Introduction (Paragraph 1) .1
:A. Hook
_________________________________________________________________________
___

_________________________________________________________________________
________
:B. Connecting Information
______________________________________________________________

7
_________________________________________________________________________
________
:C. Thesis Statement
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________
Body .2
:A. First Reason (Paragraph 2) topic sentence
_______________________________________________
Support __
_______________________________________________________________(evidence)
________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____

:B. Second Reason (Paragraph 3) topic sentence

____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________
Support
_______________________________________________________________(evidence)
_____________

_________________________________________________________________________
____

Counterargument (Paragraph 4)
:Counterargument
___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____
:Refutation (attack)
_____________________________________________________________

Conclusion (Paragraph5) -3
:A. Restated Thesis
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________

8
:B. Opinion/Suggestion/Prediction
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________
Assignment: Now write your article about the topic chosen. (100 to 150
words)