A counterclaim presents an opposing viewpoint to the main claim or argument being made in an essay. It answers the question of what other credible positions exist on the topic. The counterclaim should directly contradict the initial claim. Including a counterclaim demonstrates to readers that the author understands multiple perspectives on the issue instead of just their own biased view. The counterclaim is addressed in the fifth paragraph of a paper after establishing reasons and evidence for the main claim.

1. Counterclaims

2. WHAT IS A COUNTERCLAIM?
A counterclaim answers the question- “What are
other credible possibilities to my topic?”
Counterclaims are going to be completely OPPOSITE
of the claim that you will make at the beginning of
your essay.

3. LETS LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE
Prompt: How should high schools address the
increased violence on campuses?
Claim: HS need armed security on campus to reduce
incidences of violence.
Counterclaim: Armed security does not reduce
violence on high school campuses.

4. QUESTION:
IF YOU GIVE A COUNTERCLAIM, DOESN’T THAT JUST
MEAN THAT YOU ARE CONTRADICTING YOUR ENTIRE
ESSAY, BUT PROVING THE OTHER SIDE?

5. ANSWER:
NO, NOT AT ALL. AFTER YOU STATE WHAT THE
COUNTERCLAIM TO THE PROMPT WOULD BE, YOU
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU SHOW THE READER
WHY THE COUNTERCLAIM DOESN’T WORK.

6. STUDENT: It sounds like a lot of work. Can’t we just
leave out the counterclaim?
TEACHER: Nope. By stating the counterclaim, you
look more knowledgeable about the entire debate,
rather than just being biased or uninformed.

7. WHERE DO YOU PUT THE COUNTERCLAIM?
IT WILL BE THE 5TH PARAGRAPH OF THE PAPER,
AFTER YOU HAVE STATED YOUR REASONS AND
EVIDENCE FROM YOUR CLAIM.
(SEE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE)

8. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A COUNTERCLAIM
Prompt: How can students focus better in school?
Claim: Students that are allowed to chew gum focus
better in school.
Counterclaim: Gum will be a distraction if it is
chewed loudly.
***It will be up to you to determine how to prove
that the counterclaim is not true.