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?
1. Topic sentence (states the opposing view)
2. Explanation sentence (explains the opposing view;
not always necessary)
3. Evidence (be sure to intro correctly)
4. Explanation of evidence
5. 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?
1. Opening sentence (acknowledges the objection)
2. Topic sentence (proves the objection wrong)
3. Evidence
4. Explanation of evidence
5. Second evidence or example
6. Second explanation
7. 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.