Real-World Rebuttals
In Weingarten’s “Stop Trying to Make Everyone Go to College,” what assumption is she rebutting?
What is that everyone must attend college to be successful?
“That argument is stupid and everyone knows it.” — Identify the flaw.
What is ad hominem or disrespectful tone?
The tone of a strong rebuttal should be this (choose one): sarcastic, confident, or defensive.
What is confident?
This rebuttal type directly disproves the counterargument using facts.
What is Refute?
This term describes the opposing side’s reasoning in an argumentative essay.
What is a counterargument?
What kind of rebuttal does Weingarten use when she admits college has benefits but argues for multiple paths?
What is Concede + Refocus?
“Online learning is terrible because I don’t like it.” — Identify the flaw.
What is lack of evidence / anecdotal reasoning?
This word describes the author’s attitude toward the audience or topic.
What is tone?
This type admits a valid point before redirecting to your main idea.
What is Concede + Refocus?
A rebuttal should always do this before disagreeing.
What is acknowledge the opposing side fairly?
In the “Resistance” op-ed, how does the writer use tone to make criticism seem ethical?
What is by balancing critique with loyalty and shared democratic values?
“Some say AI hurts creativity, but they’re just wrong.” — Identify the flaw.
What is no acknowledgment or reasoning; dismissive tone?
Give one sentence starter that helps keep tone professional.
What is “While it’s true that…” or “Some may argue that…”
This type changes the way the argument is viewed, rather than fighting it.
What is Reframe?
The three main types of rebuttals taught.
What are Refute, Concede + Refocus, and Reframe?
In the Guardian’s AI piece, what makes the AI’s rebuttal weaker than the humans’s
What is lack of empathy / over-reliance on logic?
“Tests are unfair, but we still need them.” — Identify the flaw.
What is self-contradiction (inconsistent stance)?
Why is sarcasm a poor rhetorical choice in academic rebuttals?
What is because it reduces credibility and respect (ethos)?
Complete this sentence: “Although social media can spread misinformation, it also ______.”
What is raises awareness or mobilizes change?
The rhetorical appeal that builds credibility and fairness in a rebuttal.
What is ethos?
Why is evidence so powerful in Weingarten’s rebuttals?
What is because it replaces emotion with credibility and data?
“Critics argue for free college, but they forget about debt.” — Identify the missing step.
What is lacking a concession or refocus (no bridge to your argument)?
The strongest rebuttals blend these three elements.
What are logic, empathy, and evidence?
True or False — You should always completely reject the opposing side.
What is False?
Rebuttals serve this overall purpose in an argumentative essay.
What is to strengthen your claim by responding to opposition respectfully?