3. +
What is a Counterclaim
Counterclaim: A claim that disagrees or
negates the thesis/claim.
Shows that you have thought about both sides of
the issue.
Shows that you have an understanding of the
complexity of the issue
Includes a claim and supporting argument.
President El-Sisi should not receive military
support from the United States because of his
regime’s continuing human rights violations.
4. +
Counterclaim Concrete Details
Your Counterclaim should be supported by concrete
details.
One example of this was when El-Sisi outlawed
freedom of assembly in Egypt and allowed police to
arrest hundreds of “…people for violating a
November 2013 law that criminalizes gatherings of
10 or more people that authorities have not
approved in advance, and allows the Interior Ministry
to ban demonstrations at will and forcefully disperse
those which aren’t authorized” (HRW.com).
5. +
Rebuttal
Rebuttal: An explanation that explains why the
counterclaim concrete detail is incorrect.
While it would be a shame if El-Sisi instructed his
police to forcibly disperse protests using weapons
supplied to him by the United States, one must
weigh this tragedy to the potential tragedies that may
be committed by the radical groups which the United
States are currently fighting in the region. Even if
these weapons are unfortunately turned on a few
Egyptian protesters, if they helps stop Isis and its
genocidal ambitions, they will protect more human
rights in the long run than they will violate.
6. +
Putting it all together
However, opponents argue that President El-Sisi should not receive
military support from the United States because his regime has
committed human rights violations and has shown a willingness to use
military force against his own citizens. One example of this was when
El-Sisi outlawed freedom of assembly in Egypt and allowed police to
arrest hundreds of “…people for violating a November 2013 law that
criminalizes gatherings of 10 or more people that authorities have not
approved in advance, and allows the Interior Ministry to ban
demonstrations at will and forcefully disperse those which aren’t
authorized” (HRW.com). While it would be a shame if El-Sisi instructed
his police to forcibly disperse protests using weapons supplied to him
by the United States, one must weigh this tragedy to the potential
tragedies that may be committed by the radical groups which the
United States are currently fighting in the region. Even if these
weapons are unfortunately turned on a few Egyptian protesters, if they
helps stop Isis and its genocidal ambitions, they will protect more
human rights in the long run than they will violate.
7. +
Things to Remember
Pick a counterclaim that is logical, real, and
accurate.
Don’t avoid the best arguments of the opposition.
Take them head on!
Have a well selected and reliable concrete detail.
Do not be afraid to mentions strengths of the
counterclaim in the rebuttal, but still work to support
your thesis.
You must have a counterclaim in order to earn a
passing score (Meets) on Use of Evidence.
