1. Practicing Counterarguments and Rebuttals

2. Take a look at the following examples of counterarguments and rebuttals. Which ones help strengthen their claim? Which do not? Why?

3. Example 1
You want a dog, and you have to convince your mom and dad

4. 1 Claim: We should get a puppy
Counterargument:
“I want a puppy, and you guys are just being mean not letting me have one.
Rebuttal:
“If you were nice, you’d let me get a puppy. But you’re not nice, so whatever.”

5. 2 CLAIM: We should get a puppy.
Counter argument:
“I understand that mom is allergic to dogs.”
Rebuttal
“However, there are hypoallergenic breeds like poodles which do not bother people who have allergies.”

6. 3 Claim: We should get a puppy
Counterargument:
I know you might be worried about having to feed and take care of the puppy.
Rebuttal:
I may not be very responsible, but I promise I’ll feed it every day. It won’t be like that one time I forgot about my hamster.

7. 4 Claim: We should get a puppy.
Counterargument:
“It is true that puppies sometimes make a mess.”
Rebuttal:
“But they are cute and cuddly.”

8. 5 Claim: We should get a puppy.
Counterargument:
“Maybe you’re worried that I’ll paint the dog’s toenails pink.”
Rebuttal:
“Don’t worry, I won’t paint it’s nails pink. Orange is a much better color on dogs.”

9. Which counterargument and rebuttal are the strongest?

10. 2 CLAIM: We should get a puppy.
Counter argument:
“I understand that mom is allergic to dogs.”
Rebuttal
“However, there are hypoallergenic breeds like poodles who do not bother people who have allergies.”

11. Why was this the strongest?
The counterargument is a valid concern
The rebuttal is arguing directly against the counterargument
The rebuttal is based on verifiable fact or sound logic
The tone of the rebuttal is respectful

12. Second strongest?

13. 4 Claim: We should get a puppy.
Counterargument:
“It is true that puppies sometimes make a mess.”
Rebuttal:
“But they are cute and cuddly.”

14. What was missing?
The counterargument is a valid concern
The rebuttal is arguing directly against the counterargument
The rebuttal is based on verifiable fact or sound logic
The tone of the rebuttal is respectful

15. Let’s look at our weaker options and see what’s wrong

16. 3 Claim: We should get a puppy
Counterargument:
I know you might be worried about having to feed and take care of the puppy.
Rebuttal:
I may not be very responsible, but I promise I’ll feed it every day. It won’t be like that one time I forgot about my hamster.

17. What was missing? The counterargument is a valid concern
The rebuttal is arguing directly against the counterargument
The rebuttal is based on verifiable fact or sound logic
The tone of the rebuttal is respectful
Included another counter argument and did not refute it.

18. 5 Claim: We should get a puppy.
Counterargument:
“Maybe you’re worried that I’ll paint the dog’s toenails pink.”
Rebuttal:
“Don’t worry, I won’t paint it’s nails pink. Orange is a much better color on dogs.”

19. Why was this the strongest?
The counterargument is a valid concern
The rebuttal is arguing directly against the counterargument
The rebuttal is based on verifiable fact or sound logic
The tone of the rebuttal is respectful

20. Which leaves the weakest one

21. 1 Claim: We should get a puppy
Counterargument:
“I want a puppy, and you guys are just being mean not letting me have one.
Rebuttal:
“If you were nice, you’d let me get a puppy. But you’re not nice, so whatever.”

22. What was missing?
The counterargument is a valid concern
The rebuttal is arguing directly against the counterargument
The rebuttal is based on verifiable fact or sound logic
The tone of the rebuttal is respectful

23. Review: (Write this down!)
The counterargument must be a valid concern
The rebuttal should argue directly against the counterargument
The rebuttal should be based on verifiable fact or sound logic
The tone of the rebuttal should be respectful

24. You try: Claim: we should get a puppy
Counterargument:
“You might be worried about having a large dog in a small apartment.”
Rebuttal:
???