Argument Structure 7
A counterclaim is
An opposing point of view or claim X A statement that is said to be true but is actually false Evidence An explanation
A counterclaim is not
An opposing point of view or claim An explanation of the claim X A statement of opinion An argument that someone could make against your claim
In an argumentative essay, what is the difference between a claim and an opinion?
A claim is supported by evidence, while an opinion is not. X An opinion is supported by evidence, while a claim is not. A claim can be supported by an opinion, but not the other way around. An opinion can serve as either a claim or a counterclaim, while a claim can only be a claim.
A claim is not
A statement of opinion A statement of fact X A statement in response to a topic or question
A claim is
A statement that is a fact A statement of opinion that needs to be proven in order to show that it is true X A statement that is said to be true but is actually false A quote that someone says
Student B made the claim, " 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' is an educational cartoon that students can learn from." Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
An educational show should be made to teach you a lesson - "Yu-Gi-Oh!" is primarily for entertainment. X "Yu-Gi-Oh!" contains violence. The Discovery Channel has educational shows. Lots of students watch "Yu-Gi-Oh!"
A statement of opinion that needs to be proven in order to show that it is true
Fact Claim X Evidence subject
An opposing point of view or claim
Fact Evidence Claim counterclaim X
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: People have different opinions about the death penalty. COUNTERCLAIM: The death penalty deters violent crime. Which replacement text would MOST improve this pair of statements?
COUNTERCLAIM: Many other countries have the death penalty. COUNTERCLAIM: Not every state in the U.S. has the death penalty. CLAIM: The death penalty is necessary. CLAIM: The death penalty should be abolished because it is ineffective. X
What purpose does a counterclaim serve in an argumentative essay?
It allows the writer to review and disprove the other side of his or her argument. X It allows the writer to make additional claims that support his or her argument. It allows the writer to demonstrate that his or her opinions are supported by evidence. It allows the writer to review and prove the other side of his or her argument.
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: The amount of homework students get should be regulated by law. COUNTERCLAIM: Students should assign themselves their own homework. Which of the statements below could be ANOTHER COUNTERCLAIM to the CLAIM above?
Homework should be similar to what is studied in class. Teachers are the best judges of how much homework is necessary. X Every student has homework. Students across the country should all have the same amount of homework.
Student F made the claim, "Teens and children under the age of 18 who commit crimes should be tried as adults in court." Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
It might appear as children are incapable of committing crimes. Some people argue that the punishment for juvenile crimes is far too harsh. Scientists have proven that people under the age of 18 have not developed mentally as much as adults have, and thus it would be scientifically unethical to try them as adults. X Many people feel, on the other hand, that jails in America are overcrowded.
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: Streaming music services take unfair advantage of musicians. COUNTERCLAIM: Musicians cannot make a good living from streaming services. How should this counterclaim be revised?
It should be changed to describe what a streaming service is. It should be changed so it plainly agrees with the claim. It should be changed so it plainly disagrees with the claim. X It should be changed to explain how the claim affects the reader.
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: Colleges do not take advantage of athletic programs. COUNTERCLAIM: Athletic programs help produce needed funding for colleges. What is true about the counterclaim?
It supports the claim and should be replaced. It supports the claim and should be kept. It refutes the claim and should be kept. X It refutes the claim and should be replaced.
Student D had to write a persuasive essay about the solar system. Which of the following is an example of a claim the student might make?
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It is important for humans to explore outer space. X Humans have explored the outer space in our past. The U.S. government currently spends money on its aerospace program.
Student E made the claim, "The legal driving age in the U.S. should be 18 years old." Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
Many people feel that there should be an upper age limit for driving: elders over the age of 80 tend to lose the mental capacity to safely drive a vehicle. Many people argue that teenagers are developmental capable of driving by 16, or even younger. X It might appear as if cars are well-made and are thus safe to drive. It is often supposed that smoking inhibits a teenager's mental senses.
Student F made the claim, "Teens and children under the age of 18 who commit crimes should be tried as adults in court." Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
Many people feel, on the other hand, that jails in America are overcrowded. Scientists have proven that people under the age of 18 have not developed mentally as much as adults have, and thus it would be scientifically unethical to try them as adults. X Some people argue that the punishment for juvenile crimes is far too harsh. It might appear as children are incapable of committing crimes.
Which statement is argumentative, as opposed to informational?
Many schools use their bands to entertain crowds during sports events. Funding for theater programs has steadily lessened over the past decade. Communities should support artistic expression in their public schools. X Many kindergarten students enjoy art class very much.
Student D made the claim, "It should be mandatory for every student to learn to play a musical instrument". Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
No after-school activities should be mandatory for students. Since learning and playing an instrument takes time outside of school, students should have the opportunity to choose how they use that time, rather than be forced to play an instrument. X Learning to play an instrument is very difficult. It should be mandatory for every student to play a sport.
Which of these is an informational thesis, as opposed to an argumentative claim?
People should stop eating fast food altogether. Parents should insist that schools take action about cyberbullying. Vaccinations for contagious diseases ought to be mandatory. Several factors have contributed to the increase of America's homeless population. X
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: Experts believe that using cell phones poses health risks. COUNTERCLAIM: Cell phone use doesn't harm anyone. Which choice is the best revision of the counterclaim?
People used to be afraid of electricity. Numerous studies have found little reason for concern. X Cell phones expose the brain to electromagnetic signals. People all over the world use cell phones every day.
Student B had to write a persuasive essay about the lunch food schools serve. Which of the following is an example of a claim the student might make?
Schools provide students with lunch. Some schools have vending machines with junk food. Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and corn syrup. Schools should ban junk food from cafeterias. X
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: Human cloning would provide no real advantage to humankind. COUNTERCLAIM: There are too many people in the world already. Which replacement text would MOST improve this pair of statements?
Select one: COUNTERCLAIM: Cloning people would be very expensive. COUNTERCLAIM: Cloning people could help eliminate genetic disorders. X CLAIM: Cloning human beings is impossible. CLAIM: Cloning human beings is wrong.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Having a job is a bad idea for a junior high student. Which revision makes the claim more precise, specific, and clear?
Select one: Having a job is a bad idea for a junior high student, no matter what his or her GPA. Having a job is a bad idea for a junior high student, and it always has been. Having a job is a bad idea for a junior high student, as everybody knows. Having a job is a bad idea for a junior high student, because students need time to study. X
Read the claim. CLAIM: We are going to look at the pros and cons of a healthy diet. What is the biggest problem with using this statement as a claim?
Select one: It does not actually claim anything. X It states something most people would agree with. It is too easy to refute. It is actually a counterclaim.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Junk food is not good for you. Which rewritten version of the claim makes it more precise, specific, and clear?
Select one: Junk food contains ingredients that can harm your physical health. X People eat junk food every day, and they get along just fine. Junk food is good for you, because it adds variety to your diet. People eat junk food all the time, and it causes them harm.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Lie detector tests are useful and accurate. COUNTERCLAIM: Lie detector tests don't "detect lies." Which rewritten version of the counterclaim makes it more precise, specific, and clear?
Select one: People who tell lies frequently pass lie detector tests. Lie detector tests are unreliable. Lie detector tests measure physical reactions, not the truthfulness of statements. X People who tell the truth don't have to worry about taking lie detector tests.
Read this text from Rhonda's notes for her essay. COUNTERCLAIM: Pets can actually harm the health of their owners. Which statement is a fact that supports this counterclaim?
Select one: Pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure and less heart disease. Most pets, like most people, need attention, affection, and care. Some types of parrot live for nearly a century. Rabies is a fatal disease that can spread from dogs to humans. X
Read the claim. CLAIM: Smoking causes lung cancer. Which statement of evidence best supports this claim?
Select one: Smoking doubles the risk of heart failure among both men and women. Even people who smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day can develop health problems. Smokers are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. X 10 to 15 percent of all lung cancer victims are non-smokers.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Intelligent design should be taught in science class. Which statement of evidence supports a counterclaim to this claim?
Select one: Students should be taught to consider evidence and decide things for themselves. Most scientists do not consider intelligent design to be sound science. X Most parents want their children to learn about intelligent design. Intelligent design should not be taught in science class.
Read the explanatory thesis statement. THESIS STATEMENT: The Boston Tea Party was a significant step toward the American Revolution. Which statement of evidence best supports this thesis statement?
Select one: The Sons of Liberty organized the Tea Party, and that group had five thousand members. Nobody died at the Boston Tea Party, and the property damage was actually small. The Tea Party was a response to British taxation, which was what later sparked people to rebel. X Benjamin Franklin offered to pay the British for the tea that was destroyed, and the British refused.
Read this text, which Rhonda is planning to use in an argumentative essay in favor of pet ownership. "Many people don't know that owning a pet is actually good for your health," claims Dr. Ella Charmin, who has been a veterinarian for more than twenty years. What type of evidence is this?
Select one: a reason a detail a fact a quote X
Student A made the claim, "Bears are the most frightening animals on earth." Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
Sharks have sharp teeth, so they are scary. Bears eat honey. Although bears also have sharp teeth, they only attack to defend themselves, unlike a shark. X Female bears defend their children, so they are not frightening.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Using smartphones in school harms the learning process. Which statement is a counterclaim to this claim?
Smartphones have revolutionized person-to-person communication. Smartphones are not an efficient way to research information. Smartphones give students a quick way to research information X Smartphones give students instant access to social media.
True or False? The statement below could be a counterclaim for the claim "Junk food should be banned from schools". Food researchers have found that junk food sold in vending machines at most schools contains excessive amounts of sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
True False X
Read the counterclaim. COUNTERCLAIM: Social media allows people to share thoughts and feelings quickly and directly. For which claim would this counterclaim be most effective?
Social media is an ineffective way to communicate. X Social media connects people worldwide in new and unique ways. Social media makes it easy for people to lie about who they are. Social media has become amazingly popular all over the world.
Student A had to write a persuasive essay about the use of computers for school/homework. Which of the following is an example of a claim the student might make?
Some students use computers to do their homework. Microsoft computers are used by some students to do their homework. Computers are the most effective way for students to do homework. X Computers are a technological tool.
Student E had to write a persuasive essay about the effects of television on young kids. Which of the following is an example of a claim the student might make?
Some television shows may have a negative effect on young children. X I enjoy watching television after school. Television shows should be more educational for adults. "Yu-Gi-Oh!" is the best show on television.
Read the two statements. Statement #1: The government should place one-fourth of every adult's income aside for retirement. Statement #2: Alcoholism is a problem for many high-school students and young adults. Which statement is an informational thesis, and how do you know?
Statement #1, because it shares information instead of advocating a point of view. Statement #1, because it advocates a point of view instead of sharing information. Statement #2, because it shares information instead of advocating a point of view. X Statement #2, because it is more clear and direct than statement # 1.
Student C had to write a persuasive essay about wars in our world. Which of the following is an example of a claim the student might make?
There have been many wars in history. Wars require resources such as weapons. Wars cause emotional and physical destruction to both sides. X The U.S. is currently involved in multiple wars.
True or False? The statement below could be a claim for the essay topic "Why is it important for students to play sports?" Many students in middle school play sports after classes across the United States.
True False X
True or False? The statement below could be a counterclaim for the claim "Students should not have homework". Having too much homework causes students stress, which negatively impacts their ability to perform well in school.
True False X
True or False? The statement below could be a claim for the essay topic "Should children have scheduled activities or be left more time for free play?" Children should be allowed to have free time after school instead of being overwhelmed by scheduled activities.
True X False
True or False? The statement below could be a claim for the essay topic "Should the U.S. government spend money on exploring space?" By spending money on space exploration, the U.S. government can potentially keep the world safe from unknown dangers.
True X False
True or False? The statement below could be a counterclaim for the claim "Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to have cell phones". By giving children under 16 cell phones with parental locks, parents can in fact keep track of where their kids are, thereby helping children stay safe.
True X False
True or False? The statement below could be a counterclaim for the claim "Wealthy people should never have to donate money to the poor". Although some people may argue that a person should be able to choose what they do with the money they earn, the benefits of everyone donating a small amount to the poor far outweigh the negative of not being able to "choose".
True X False
Which statement would not work as either a claim or a counterclaim?
Underage drivers should not be able to transport others in vehicles. Everyone should be required to serve a year in the military after graduating high school. Cheating in school is worse than it used to be. Do not ever smoke cigarettes. X
Which of the following is an appropriate claim for the essay topic "Is video gaming good or bad?"
Violent video games have negative effects on young children. Many video games are available online. Skyrim is the best adventure game.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Wind power is a clean, harmless form of energy. Which statement is a counterclaim to this claim?
Wind turbines create less pollution than fossil fuels. Wind turbines do not work when the wind is not blowing. Wind turbines can harm or kill birds and bats. X Wind turbines are a more efficient form of energy than solar panels.
In an argumentative essay, a counterclaim is
a statement that disputes a criticism. a statement that disputes a claim. X a statement that summarizes both sides of an argument. a statement of evidence for a claim.
In an argumentative essay, a claim is something that is
asserted to be false. proved false only. asserted to be true. X proved either true or false.
Student C made the claim, "Novels and textbooks should be completely replaced by iPads and online resources." Which of the following is an example of an appropriate counterclaim the student might make?
iPads do not have fun games pre-installed on them. Excessive reading on a computer screen can possibly damage eyesight. X Some student do not need to use textbooks for studying. Some students would rather play video games than read a novel.
Read the claim and counterclaim. CLAIM: School uniforms are a good thing. COUNTERCLAIM: School uniforms discourage students from expressing their individuality. What would most improve this text?
revising the counterclaim to make it more objective revising the counterclaim to make it more general revising the claim to make it more subjective revising the claim to make it more specific X
Read the claim. CLAIM: Students should be able to skip classes if they can keep up with their schoolwork on their own. An effective counterclaim to this claim would
reword the claim to include the word "because." provide examples of successful students who skip classes. state a proposed reason that skipping classes is always harmful. X present an informational thesis statement on the topic of skipping classes.
Read the claim. CLAIM: Reading is a good way to learn things. What would make this claim more precise, specific, and clear?
rewriting it so it addresses a narrower topic X rewriting it so it includes a counterclaim rewriting it so it cannot be disputed rewriting it so it states a valid opinion