For anybody not really acquainted with the expression, a counterargument is just a viewpoint that refutes your primary argument. To put it simply, if you’re arguing that technology does more good than damage, the counterargument is technology does more harm than good.
Like to point out: first, I cannot stress how important transitions are in writing effective counterarguments before we look at an example, there are a couple of things i’d. It very difficult – if not impossible – to distinguish between which ideas you agree with and which ideas you disagree with without them, your reader will have no way of following your train of thought and will find.
Another important element of good counterarguments may be the concession – that is, the acknowledgement that some facets of the argument that is opposing valid. Here is the many unknown part of counterarguments for most students – is not the complete point of a counterargument to “disprove” the argument that is opposing?
Fundamentally, yes, the aim is to show why your argument wins down. Having said that, the idea of a concession would be to illustrate that you’ve seriously considered a concern carefully, in a way that is nuanced compared to simple black/white, good/bad terms. When presented demonstrably, this kind of consideration really strengthens your argument.
You should use this basic template to produce a counterargument:
According to attitude x, _______________________. On one side,
-it is true that _______________________.
-this claim has many merit because _______________________.
-the declare that _______________________ has some credibility.
On the other side hand,
-this viewpoint doesn’t give consideration to that _______________________.
-this claim overlooks the fact that _______________________.
Let’s observe how this could play down in a test paragraph that works on the individual instance (yes, those continue to be fine). It does not utilize the template exactly, however it’s pretty close.
Once again, we’re going to utilize the sample prompt released because of the ACT. For the true purpose of this workout, we’re just planning to consider among the views; attempting to utilize a lot more than that could be too confusing. In reality, you ought to generally avoid integrating a lot more than one outside perspective per paragraph, unless you’re a stellar journalist who’s currently confident with this sort of back-and-forth.
(Abridged) prompt: Automation is generally speaking thought to be a indication of progress, but just what is lost as soon as we exchange people with devices? Provided the variety that is accelerating existence of smart devices, its worth examining the implications and definitions of the existence inside our everyday lives.
Perspective 1: that which we lose using the replacement of men and women with devices is some section of our mankind. Also our mundane encounters no longer require from us respect, courtesy, and threshold for others.
Thesis: Technology ought to be viewed as a force once and for all as it creates brand new opportunities for folks in addition to a more successful culture.
1) Topic sentence: introduce your argument (1 phrase)
Within the last few years, brand brand new kinds of technology have actually produced means for individuals keep in touch with one another more easily and quickly than previously.
2) Elaborate on your own argument, and offer a certain example (2-3 sentences)
From Skype to iphones apps to Facebook, technology erases boundaries, enabling us to communicate with individuals halfway across the world as though these were within the room that is next. I’ve myself benefitted extremely from all of these technologies: my loved ones immigrated towards the united states of america from Asia once I ended up being 6 yrs old, and within the last ten years, collecting all over computer to chat with my grand-parents and my aunt in Beijing is a ritual that is weekly. As we did when I was little, I am nevertheless grateful to be able to see their faces and keep them updated on the details of my daily life – something that would be impossible without “smart” machines although I am sorry that we no longer live next door to them.
3) Introduce outside perspective: 1-2 sentences
Not every person is really excited about the results of the latest technologies, but. Attitude 1 provides a complaint that is typical particularly that the replacement of men and women with devices “causes us to reduce some section of our mankind.”
4) Acknowledge that the perspective is not completely incorrect, and explain why (2-3 sentences)
This complaint does have some merit on one hand. Walking across the street or sitting from the subway, i will be frequently struck because of the number that is sheer of staring glassy-eyed to their phones. They generally are incredibly busy texting which they almost bump into other people, showing a definite not enough courtesy and tolerance (notice just exactly how this declaration weaves the standpoint obviously in to the writer’s argument) .
5) change back once again to your argument and reaffirm it sentences that are(3-4
Having said that, however, the advantages of technology far outweigh an intermittent unpleasant sidewalk encounter – at minimum from my perspeective. As opposed to separate me personally through the globe (notice just how this declaration indirectly refutes the counterargument) , “smart” technology has offered mainly to facilitate my relationships with other people, to not change them.
How exactly to compose the ACT that is new essay pt. 2: launching and discussing viewpoints that are supporting
After supplying a summary regarding the brand new ACT essay plus some feasible methods to it within my past post , i wish to now talk about one that is particular essential – skill tangled up in composing it: including other views to your very own argument for help.
You probably have some experience integrating the ideas of people you agree with into your writing if you’ve ever written a research paper. ( if you have actuallyn’t, you’ll get an introduction to doing this on this page.) Having said that, we realize that most high schools do maybe maybe not clearly show pupils to weave supporting quotations, a few ideas, etc. fluidly within their writing. The quotes is there, but they’re often integrated awkwardly to the bigger argument.
Frequently, pupils assume they try not to really should spending some time presenting or describing their quotes since they appear therefore self-explanatory. They’re here to guide the argument, and in the event that argument is clear, then your point of this quote is obvious…right? Well, not necessarily.
The difficulty is the fact that analytical writing requires even more explanation than may seem necessary. Broadly speaking, people come up with subjects with that they are familiar. They are often unaware of the gaps in other people’s understanding because they know a lot of about their topics. As being outcome, it just will not happen to them just exactly how explicit they must be, plus they find yourself accidentally making away information this is certainly required to understanding their way of thinking.
You must take your reader by the hand, so to speak, and lead them through each step of your thinking process so that they do not get lost when you explain an idea – any idea – in writing. Presenting other people’s terms or a few ideas in a way which makes clear the partnership betwixt your argument and theirs is a part that is key of procedure. Otherwise, it is just like you’ve missed ahead a steps that are few making your reader to prevent and decide to try built the pieces. If there’s one thing you don’t wish to accomplish to your reader, it’s make your opinions difficult to follow. That is true of school, the ACT, and just about every other writing you might do for the following sixty or seventy years.
Yet again, we’re planning to make use of the sample prompt released because of the ACT.
(Abridged) prompt: Automation is generally considered to be an indication of progress, but just what is lost as soon as we exchange people with devices? Because of the variety that is accelerating existence of smart devices, it really is well worth examining the implications and definitions of these existence within our life.
Attitude 1: everything we lose using the replacement of men and women with devices is some right element of our mankind. Even our encounters that are mundane longer require from us respect, courtesy, and threshold for others.
Perspective 2: Machines are great at low ability, repeated, jobs, and also at high rate, acutely exact jobs. Both in full situations, they’ve been a lot better than humans. This effectiveness causes a far more successful and world that is progressive everyone.
Perspective 3: smart devices challenge our longstanding concept of exactly what people are essay writer and will be. This might be good as it pushes humans and devices toward new opportunities.