2. More than you need to know about COUNTERARGUMENTS This Power point is designed to address the definition of a counterargument and a refute to the counterargument, both of which will be included in your banned book presentations. This was created for you to see/discuss today- and for future reference on the public drive for you to review.

3. Counterargument In persuasive writing and/or speech, a counterargument is used to show your audience that you are knowledgeable about a full range of positions other than your own. As a rhetorical strategy, it demonstrates that you are interested in finding common ground and consensus with your opponents. As a statement of your character, it shows that you are honest and forthcoming about other viewpoints that might jeopardize your position.

4. Counter Arguing Defined Unlike many forms of writing and speech, academic arguments will include discussions of objections to the position being stated. In this case, should your book be banned? Keep in mind that the books chosen have been questioned in one way or another by SOMEONE. Dealing with counterarguments and objections is a key part of the process of building arguments, refining them, interpreting and analyzing them.

5. Really, Why Bother? Better ideas. Shows and earns respect. Shows you’ve thought things through. Creates sense of fairness. Clarifies your own argument. Will prepare you for your senior research paper which will require you to find counterarguments, refute them, and back it all up with research.

6. How to Find a Counter Argument You can generate counterarguments by asking yourself how someone who disagrees with you might respond to your opinion. For this project it needs to be done through what you found in your research.

7. Counterargument Example: From Captain Underpants This student has stated in his power point that Captain Underpants should not be banned from school libraries. To further support this opinion, he addresses a counterargument. (Remember that a counterargument goes AGAINST your opinion.)

8. Captain Underpants “There is not one teacher I know who wants Super Diaper Baby out there… This is not the type of humor we promote at school. It’s putting down kids to say this is what they like to read.” ◦ (He found this information while researching his banned book. It goes against what he believes, yet he is acknowledging that there are other opinions)

9. NOTES: This counterargument came from his research into the “banning” history of Captain Underpants and its value to the literary world. It has been challenged, questioned, and argued over since the first book in the series was published.

10. What is a refute? Refutation: this involves being able to show important weaknesses and shortcomings in an opponent's position that demonstrate that his/her argument ought to be rejected.

11. His refute to the counterargument The content is sometimes vulgar, scatological, rude—but so are 9-year-old boys,’ said Mary Jo Dickerson, whose son Ian reads the books out loud to her. ‘I say anything that encourages my son to read is worth its weight in gold.’” ◦ Here he makes a point in his favor and has done it through his research.