Counterargument and Refutation Paragraphs

This PowerPoint is over writing a counterargument and a refutation paragraph for an argument essay

1. Counterargument and Refutation Paragraphs

2. What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is not A fact An opinion A personal belief (or based on faith) A question A thesis statement is Arguable Qualified if necessary (mixed feelings/middle ground) In present tense In third person

3. What is a counterargument? Introduces the opposing viewpoint Sometimes called the naysayer, the opposition, or the objection

4. Why introduce a counterargument? Anticipates objections Builds credibility and trustworthiness Proves you have knowledge/background about the subject Shows you’ve done your research

5. What are the parts of the opposing paragraph? Topic sentence (states the opposing view) Explanation sentence (explains the opposing view; not always necessary) Evidence (be sure to intro correctly) Explanation of evidence Concluding (or summary) sentence

6. How do you introduce the opposition? Begin with a transition word however , nevertheless , on the contrary , on the other hand Use opposing nouns critics , opponents , some , naysayers Use a contentious signal verb argues , claims , contends , believes , objects , disagrees , disputes

7. How do you write a counterargument topic sentence? Transition + noun + verb + that + argument against your thesis. However , some critics contend that marijuana is a gateway drug and therefore should not be legalized. Transition + it is argued that + argument against your thesis. On the contrary, it is argued that marijuana is a gateway drug and therefore should not be legalized.

8. What does an example of a counterargument look like? 1. Nevertheless , those who oppose marijuana legalization claim that marijuana is a gateway drug. 2. They believe that once someone tries marijuana, he or she will then move on to harder, more dangerous drugs and become an addict. 3. According to Stacey Sugar, the clinical director at the Towson-based Maryland Addiction Recovery Network, “marijuana could be a gateway drug for some, but not everyone, and that a lot depends on the user and whether they are predisposed to addiction…Marijuana is the easiest drug to get a hold of after alcohol and cigarettes, and some of those who like a marijuana high may be more interested in trying other highs” ( qtd . in Snyder). 4. Her claim is that addicts may want to try other highs beyond marijuana, and those drugs could potentially have more devastating and addictive effects. 5. In other words , critics of marijuana legalization believe that once a person feels the altered experience of marijuana, he or she will want to experience the increased sensations of dangerous, potentially life-destroying and addictive drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamines.

9. Is a counterargument enough? You must refute objections with reasonable evidence. In other words, you need to explain Why it is wrong What it doesn’t consider What it is missing Why it is irrelevant

10. What are the parts of the refutation paragraph? Opening sentence (acknowledges the objection) Topic sentence (proves the objection wrong) Evidence Explanation of evidence Second evidence or example Second explanation Concluding sentence (refers back to thesis)

11. How do you write the opening sentence of your refutation? Open with a transition that acknowledges the opposition and concedes that some objections might be true. it may be true, it appears , it is possible , even though it might be true Transition + that + paraphrase the objection. It may be true that some people use marijuana as a gateway drug to move onto harder, more dangerous drugs.

12. How do you write the refutation topic sentence? Open with a transition that indicates a disagreement however , nevertheless , nonetheless , but the truth of the matter is , contrary to this opinion , despite this idea Transition + reason why the objection is wrong. Yet contrary to this opinion , marijuana is not the first addictive substance tried by first-time users.

13. What does an example of a refutation look like? 1. It may be true that some people use marijuana as a gateway drug to move on to harder, more dangerous drugs. 2. But the truth of the matter is that marijuana is not the first addictive substance that users initially try. 3. “A study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of School Health has concluded that the theory of a gateway drug is not associated with marijuana, but rather one of the most damaging and socially accepted drugs in the world, alcohol” ( Scharff ). 4. In other words , alcohol is the drug and high that influences people to try harder, more addictive substances. Alcohol is the drug that the government should be focusing on. Alcohol is the drug that needs more intervention. 5. Furthermore , the gateway theory deteriorates when one considers that drug dealers do not work at 7-11. 6. If a person purchases marijuana in a safe, structured location like a convenience store instead of a back alley, there is no drug dealer to influence the purchaser to try other more dangerous drugs like cocaine or heroin. 7. In reality , alcohol should be the focus of reform and recovery programs, and making marijuana legal will eliminate the gateway theory entirely.

14. What is plagiarism? Using another’s words/ideas without giving credit Failing to cite Bad paraphrasing Getting a friend to do your work Buying papers Turning in one paper to two classes Are templates plagiarism? Solid foundation Good writers use the same rhetorical moves Universal structure Creative use makes it your own Don’t hold content ; do show relationships

15. What is the Works Cited for these sources? Scharff , Constance. “Marijuana: The Gateway Drug Myth: Science Shows Overwhelmingly That Marijuana Is Not a Gateway Drug.” Psychology Today . Sussex Publishers, LLC, 26 Aug. 2014. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ending- addiction- good/201408/marijuana-the-gateway-drug-myth. Snyder, Ron. “Experts Debate Whether Marijuana Is a 'Gateway' Drug.” ABC 2 WMAR Baltimore . Scripps TV Station Group, 16 Feb. 2014. https://www.wmar2news.com/dpp/news/health/experts-debate-whether- marijuana-is-a-gateway-drug #ixzz2tYh3XWgf.

16. How do you practice, 1301? Thesis statement: Sweatshops should be eliminated. Counterargument: Quote from the article “Where Sweatshops are a Dream” by Nicholas D. Kristof Refutation: Use your own ideas to refute Kristof’s claims that sweatshops are important for third world countries.

17. How do you practice, 1302? Thesis statement: The benefits of graduating from a four-year university outweigh the negatives. Counterargument: Quote from the article “What’s a College Education Worth? Not Enough” by Naomi Shafer Riley Refutation: Use your own ideas to refute Riley’s claims about college not being worth the cost.