Counter Argument Step-By-Step

STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE HOMEWORK BECAUSE IT TAKES AWAY FROM QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, INTERFERES WITH OUTDOOR AND AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND INCREASES THE LEARNING GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR STUDENTS. TOPIC: HOMEWORK THESIS STATEMENT:

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence: Addresses the counterargument − EXAMPLE: − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning.

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Expert Evidence Sentence: Gives expert evidence through a quote or paraphrase in support of topic sentence. − EXAMPLE: − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper).

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Example or statistics sentence: Gives the numbers or data that supports the expert’s conclusions. − EXAMPLE: − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels.

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Opening/lead in sentence to refutation: This sentence summarizes and acknowledges the counterargument. It should use the word may. − EXAMPLE: − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels. It may be true that certain groups of high and middle school students showed improved achievement when given homework.

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Transition and Reason Sentence: This sentence starts with a transition and gives the reason why the counterargument is wrong. Some transitions include: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, − EXAMPLE: − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels. It may be true that certain groups of high and middle school students showed improved achievement when given homework. However, not all groups of students are affected in the same way by homework.

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Expert evidence sentence: This sentence supports the reason why the counterargument is wrong. It is a quote or a paraphrase of the evidence. − EXAMPLE: − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels. It may be true that certain groups of high and middle school students showed improved achievement when given homework. However, not all groups of students are affected in the same way by homework. Alfie Kohn, author of 12 books and numerous articles on human behavior, parenting, and education conducted a close reading of Cooper’s summary and found that the study “massage[d] the numbers until they yielde[d] something-anything-on which to construct a defense of homework for younger children.”

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Explanation sentence: This sentence explains the evidence against the counterargument and how it supports or relates back to your thesis statement. A good lead in phrase is In other words. − EXAMPLE: Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels. It may be true that certain groups of high and middle school students showed improved achievement when given homework. However, not all groups of students are affected in the same way by homework. Alfie Kohn, author of 12 books and numerous articles on human behavior, parenting, and education conducted a close reading of Cooper’s summary and found that the study “massage[d] the numbers until they yielde[d] something-anything-on which to construct a defense of homework or younger children.” In other words, Cooper’s review of the research on homework failed to show improved achievement for students in grades below middle school. Cooper even acknowledges this fact in a 2009 paper when he admits that 35 correlational studies he reviewed showed little to no relationship between homework and achievement for elementary students (Cooper). Rather, homework was used by teachers to build time management skills.

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH Conclusion Sentence: What conclusion can be drawn based on the expert evidence? − EXAMPLE: Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels. It may be true that certain groups of high and middle school students showed improved achievement when given homework. However, not all groups of students are affected in the same way by homework. Alfie Kohn, author of 12 books and numerous articles on human behavior, parenting, and education conducted a close reading of Cooper’s summary and found that the study “massage[d] the numbers until they yielde[d] something- anything-on which to construct a defense of homework or younger children.” In other words, Cooper’s review of the research on homework failed to show improved achievement for students in grades below middle school. Cooper even acknowledges this fact in a 2009 paper when he admits that 35 correlational studies he reviewed showed little to no relationship between homework and achievement for elementary students (Cooper). Rather, homework was used by teachers to build time management skills. Therefore, homework used by schools to improve achievement at the elementary level has little scientific support, even after thorough reviews of previous research.

COUNTERARGUMENT & REFUTATION PARAGRAPH − Some critics argue that homework should be given regularly because it improves learning. For example, a comprehensive summary of studies conducted between 1987 and 2003 found that there was reliable evidence on the positive influence of homework on achievement (Cooper). Middle school students who were given less than an hour of homework each night and high school students who were given two hours each night had improved achievement levels. It may be true that certain groups of high and middle school students showed improved achievement when given homework. However, not all groups of students are affected in the same way by homework. Alfie Kohn, author of 12 books and numerous articles on human behavior, parenting, and education conducted a close reading of Cooper’s summary and found that the study “massage[d] the numbers until they yielde[d] something-anything-on which to construct a defense of homework or younger children.” In other words, Cooper’s review of the research on homework failed to show improved achievement for students in grades below middle school. Cooper even acknowledges this fact in a 2009 paper when he admits that 35 correlational studies he reviewed showed little to no relationship between homework and achievement for elementary students (Cooper). Rather, homework was used by teachers to build time management skills. Therefore, homework used by schools to improve achievement at the elementary level has little scientific support, even after thorough reviews of previous research.