1. COUNTER ARGUMENT THEOPPOSITION!

2. When you counter argue.. You consider a possible argument AGAINST your thesis/opinion You first TURN AGAINST your own opinion You then RETURN to your own argument to defend it This all occurs within the same paragraph

3. The TURN AGAINST Think of your target audience..who are you trying to convince of your position? Think of what your audience would say about YOUR position…remember they are speaking AGAINST what your opinion is!

4. The Turn Against...Possible Phrases “One might object here that….” “It’s true that…” “It is clear that…” “Admittedly…” “Some research claims…” “Many people may think….” “Some people would argue…” “While it is true that…” “Critics would say…”

5. Counter Argument Example: Bear Hunt Thesis: The recent NJ bear hunt was an unnecessary measure to reduce the bear population. (My opinion) COUNTER ARGUMENT: “It is clear that the bear population has increased and bears have become a nuisance to populated, residential areas in NJ.”

6. THE TURN BACK Return to your own argument/opinion Within the same paragraph as the Turn Against Use careful reasoning Show why the opposition is mistaken Acknowledge that the opposing argument is valid, but suggest why it’s less important than your thesis/opinion

7. The Turn Back Possible Transition Words/Phrases …but …yet …however …nevertheless …still …but I believe …the facts state …I urge you to

8. Example of Counter argument with Turn Against and Turn Back Thesis: The recent NJ bear hunt was an unnecessary measure to reduce the bear population. Counter argument with Turn Against and Turn Back: “It is clear that the bear population has increased and bears have become a nuisance to populated, residential areas in NJ, however, slaughtering hundreds of bears for sport is an act of animal cruelty. Other humane measures such as proper waste disposal would be more effective.”

9. This paragraph does not need to be as long or as well developed as your other body paragraphs Bring up good points from the opposition, but don’t over do it! Bring up the opposition in a sentence or two Shoot it down in two or three sentences