English Homework Help

Counterarguments

Last week, you brainstormed a research question and several aspects of the topic you’ve chosen to write about for your W6 Rough Draft. For this discussion, you will give an answer to that question in the form of a thesis statement.

Example: Suppose your research question for W6 was something like, “Should pit bull terriers be banned in my community?” After doing some preliminary research, you have concluded that pit bulls, if raised properly, are no more dangerous than other breeds of dogs. Your thesis statement can be something like, “Pitbulls should not be banned in Kansas City, MO, because X, Y, and Z.” (Fill in the letters with reasons that support your claim.)

In addition to sharing a thesis statement, you will list every reason you can think of, or have discovered in your research, why readers might disagree with your thesis statement.

Example: “Some readers might disagree because there have been actual instances of pit bulls attacking people, even children. Not all pit bulls are raised properly. Pit bulls have a natural, aggressive instinct.”

Your goal here is to identify both your position and the position of readers who may need to be convinced by your argument. Readers who hold positions contrary to your own are said to hold counterarguments.

In your responses, weigh in on each other’s thesis statements.

• Does the thesis statement present a clear, arguable position?
• Does it list reasons?
• Do the counterarguments seem valid?
• What other counterarguments can you think of?