This document discusses counterarguments, concessions, and refutations in writing. It provides examples of how to introduce counterarguments using phrases like "some people say" or "many claim." It also gives examples of concession phrases like "it is true that" and refutation phrases like "however" and "on the contrary." The document explains that incorporating counterarguments, acknowledging them through concessions, and then refuting them makes an argument stronger by anticipating and addressing alternative viewpoints.

1. Nugroho, M.Pd.
Organization
Pattern 1:
Thesis statement:
PRO idea 1
PRO idea 2
CON(s) + Refutation(s)
Conclusion
Pattern 2:
Thesis statement:
CON(s) + Refutation(s)
PRO idea 1
PRO idea 2
Conclusion
Pattern 3:
Thesis statement:
CON idea 1 + Refutation
CON idea 2 + Refutation
CON idea 3 + Refutation
Conclusion

2. Identifying Counterarguments
Concession, and Refutations

3. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• A counterargument is an idea that is opposed to
(against) the writer’s idea or point of view. For
example:
It’s really clear that Maimunah is the most
wonderful person ever. She’s simply
amazing!
A counterargument would be something like:
Some people may think that she isn’t.
What’s a Counterargument?

4. Nugroho, M.Pd.
Counterarguments usually start with a clause that
points out who or what disagrees with the
writer’s opinion. Some common counterargument
beginning clauses include:
• Some people say (that)…
• Many claim (that)…
• Some experts believe (that)…
• There are those who question…
Counterarguments

5. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• Many people may think that living in Puli is boring.
However, those people don’t appreciate how
beautiful it is here.
• Some skeptics may say that global warming doesn’t
exist. On the contrary, studies show that it is quite
real.
• Many claim that my boyfriend is ugly, but actually I
think he’s gorgeous.
• There are those who question my ability to spend all
night playing computer games. In reality, I can spend
all night and all day playing computer games.
Look at these examples: Look for the
counterargument clauses in the following sentences.

6. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• Many people may think that living in Puli is boring.
However, those people don’t appreciate how
beautiful it is here.
• Some skeptics may say that global warming doesn’t
exist. On the contrary, studies show that it is quite
real.
• Many claim that my boyfriend is ugly, but actually I
think he’s gorgeous.
• There are those who question my ability to spend
all night playing computer games. In reality, I can
spend all night and all day playing computer games.
Look at these examples: Look for the
counterargument clauses in the following sentences.

7. Nugroho, M.Pd.
Concession beginnings
Of course, …
I concede that…
It is true that…
It may well be that…
Have there been contrary findings? Yes,…
While we acknowledge that …
Critics of ____ are right that…
There are in fact published studies that suggest…
It is possible that…
The results could be interpreted to mean…

8. Nugroho, M.Pd.

9. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• Why do writers use counterarguments? To prove
that their ideas are stronger by answering questions
before they are asked by the readers. Look again at
the first example:
It’s really clear that Maimunah is the most wonderful
person ever. She’s simply amazing! Some people may
think that she isn’t. In fact, those people are simply
jealous of her talent and beauty.
By answering the counterargument, the writer is able
make a refutation to show how strong their opinion or
information is.
Refutations

10. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• Some common refutation beginnings include:
• On the contrary,
• However,
• This is not the case.
• But, in fact,…
Refutation beginnings

11. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• Many people may think that living in Puli is boring.
However, those people don’t appreciate how
beautiful it is here.
• Some skeptics may say that global warming doesn’t
exist. On the contrary, studies show that it is quite
real.
• Many claim that my boyfriend is ugly, but actually I
think he’s gorgeous.
• There are those who question my ability to spend all
night playing computer games. In reality, I can spend
all night and all day playing computer games.
Look at these examples: Look for the refutation
clauses / phrases in the following sentences.

12. Nugroho, M.Pd.
• Many people may think that living in Puli is boring.
However, those people don’t appreciate how
beautiful it is here.
• Some skeptics may say that global warming doesn’t
exist. On the contrary, studies show that it is quite
real.
• Many claim that my boyfriend is ugly, but actually I
think he’s gorgeous.
• There are those who question my ability to spend all
night playing computer games. In reality, I can spend
all night and all day playing computer games.
Look at these examples: Look for the refutation
clauses / phrases in the following sentences.

13. Nugroho, M.Pd.
Opponents of water fluoridation often argue that [cavities are]
caused simply by poor nutrition and that a good diet alone can
impede dental decay. Of course, diets that severely restrict
sugar intake can limit decay. The relationship between sugar
intake and caries in humans has not been ignored by
supporters of water fluoridation. However, dietary control,
particularly the restriction of sugary foods, is not a practical
public health method for caries prevention, because it can only
work on populations that are institutionalized…
Colquhoun's statement that fluoridation is practiced only in
America and in countries under strong American influence is
patently false. Singapore (100 percent fluoridated), Hong Kong
(100 percent fluoridated), Malaysia (44 percent fluoridated)…
are hardly all under the hegemony of the United States.

14. Nugroho, M.Pd.
Expressions of concession and counter-
argument are used in a three-part structure:
(1) there is discussion of facts that point in a certain
direction
↓
(2) it is agreed that a particular contradictory fact
points the other way (concession)
↓
(3) but the speaker/writer dismisses this fact and
returns to the original direction of argument
(counter-argument).

15. Nugroho, M.Pd.
…cannot agree with outsourcing of factory jobs to poorer
nations. It is true that such outsourcing may have
benefited certain sections of people. Even so, it is unethical
in many ways. (it is true=concession; even so=counter-
argument)
Very few people actually understand what hymns and
religious rituals signify. Of course, most believers know
several such hymns and utter them daily, or practice
certain rituals regularly. But hardly anybody can say what
the hymns mean or why the rituals are done. (of
course=concession; but=counter-argument)
I’m glad that you have taken up this job. It’s true that it
doesn’t pay well, and the commuting time is a bit too long.
Still, you are getting to do what you most love to. (it’s
true=concession; still=counter-argument)

16. Nugroho, M.Pd.
I’m not impressed by her work. Granted, she works
extremely hard. But she lacks creativity.
…was incapable of lasting relationships with women.
Certainly, several women loved him and he was
married twice. All the same, the women closest to
him were invariably deeply unhappy.
Here is a list of words you could use for these
functions:
Concession: it is true, certainly, of course, granted, if,
may, stressed auxiliaries
Counter-argument: however, even so, but,
nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same, still

17. Nugroho, M.Pd.
Certainly, grades do serve as a powerful motivational tool for students. The
fear of failure gets otherwise disengaged students to complete their work,
and the desire to receive excellent marks (A's) motivates good students to
push themselves to do their very best work. It is also true that grades
contribute to a productive classroom environment that benefits the entire
group; students who know they will be graded down if they don't have
their homework done tend to come prepared, thus improving the quality
of class discussions. On the other hand, the positive motivational effects
are overpowered by the negative impact of competition between
students. Students who don't earn those A's often feel like failures, even
though they have learned a great deal. What is gained from the B is often
lost in the desired an A. Often students compare their grades with others
in an effort to see how they rank. This relative status has little to do with
how much an individual is actually learning. In short, we must find another
way to motivate students that puts the emphasis on learning rather than
on the delineation of winners and losers.

18. Nugroho, M.Pd.
It is true that some rock music contains lyrics that are
both provocative and rebellious. In fact, one form of rock
music, punk rock, concentrates purely on antisocial
subjects as a basis for its songs. However, rock music
itself is not enough to make a teenager rebel against
society. Even though some lyrics contain hints of social
rebellion and moral decline, the average teenager does
not take this seriously and concentrates more on the
musical value of the songs rather than the inner meaning
of the lyrics. In conclusion, I feel that even though
lyrically rock music shows hints of anarchy and social
rebellion, it is not a threat to society.