Claims & Counterclaims
What is a claim?
A claim is a statement that tells your position or point of view in an argument.
What is evidence?
Evidence is facts, statistics, or quotes that support your argument.
What is the difference between a counterclaim and a refute?
A counterclaim tells the opposite point of view while a refute tells why the opposite point of view is wrong or insufficient.
Read the passage. Then, identify the Counterclaim & counterargument (select 3 sentences).
(A) Recycling helps protect the environment. (B) It reduces the need for processing raw materials that create pollution. (C) As recycling saves energy, it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. (D) This helps to deal with climate change. (E) Some people say that recycling causes pollution. (F) However, this is not true. (G) According to the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, recycling will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48 million tons by 2025. (H) This is the equivalent of the amount emitted by 36 million cars! (I) Make recycling part of your lifestyle, and you will help protect the environment.
E, F, and G
Which of the following is a claim that avoids Bias?
a. Students should wear uniforms because they are cool.
b. Students should not wear uniforms.
c. Students should not wear uniforms because they are ugly.
B
Make up evidence for the following argument: Cats make better pets than dogs because they are easier to take care of.
Fact, statistic, or quote. Examples: While dogs need to be fed twice a day, cats can feed themselves if you leave the food out for them. 75% of cat owners say that they never have to think about feeding their cat. 1 out of 4 dog owners dread feeding their dog.
Write a refute for the following counterclaim. NASA should not send astronauts to live on Mars because it would be dangerous.
Even though it would be dangerous for astronauts to live on Mars, it would be worth the risk because they would learn so much. (or another reason)
Explain the difference between third person limited and third person omniscient point of view.
In third person limited, the narrator only shares the thoughts and feelings of one main character. In third person omniscient, the narrator "knows all" and can share the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.
What is the counterclaim for the following claim? Students should wear school uniforms.
Students should not wear school uniforms.
Make up evidence for the following argument: Glasses are better than contacts because they take less time to put on.
fact, statistic, or quote Examples: Only 23% of contact wearers say they don't mind the time it takes. 3 out of 4 people who wear glasses say they switched to glasses because of the hassle of putting in contacts.
Write a refute for the following counterclaim. Pizza is better than chips because pizza has a lot of cheese.
Despite the fact that pizza has a lot of cheese, chips are better because they are not as messy to eat. (or another reason)
Erica is writing an opinion article about pet adoption to support her local animal shelter. She wants to revise the information to build a logical argument. Read the paragraph from her article and answer the question.
There are many reasons to consider adopting a pet. For a positive pet experience, it is important to find a pet that will blend well into a new family. It is even possible to find a shelter pet that is obedience trained and housebroken. The adoption fee is well worth the cost. Shelter pets are almost always vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped, which is included in the adoption fee.
Which sentence should be added before the underlined sentence to build the argument?
A-Shelters are good places for first-time owners to find a pet.
B-Shelters always have puppies available for adoption.
C- Shelter animals can be found that suit all requirements for pet ownership.
D- Shelter animals are always happy to be taken to a new home.
C- Shelter animals can be found that suit all requirements for pet ownership.
A student is writing a letter to the school board to start a debate program for seventh and eighth graders. The student wants to revise the letter to present a clear claim. Read the draft and answer the question.
I encourage the school board to consider adding debate classes to the school curriculum for seventh and eighth graders. Debate is an activity that positively affects speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Furthermore, debate classes encourage students to become critical thinkers, which is a quality that affects many more areas of life in addition to academics.
Which sentence should be added after the underlined sentence to present a clear claim?
A- Offering debate to seventh and eighth graders will make the debate program at the high school stronger.
B- The students and the school will see personal and academic benefits if students take debate before high school.
C- Many schools in the area already offer debate classes to seventh and eighth graders.
D- The school curriculum needs to meet the demands of the students.
B- The students and the school will see personal and academic benefits if students take debate before high school.
Which of the following is an example of evidence?
a. To better understand our current society, students should study our past.
b. Research shows that students who study history develop better critical thinking skills.
B
What is the purpose of explaining a counterclaim and refute in your argument?
To show the reader that you understand the opposing point of view and convince them that your point of view is better.
Rewrite the following sentence from passive voice into active voice:
The desks were rearranged by the teacher in order to prepare for the class.
The teacher rearranged the desks in order to prepare for the class.
Read the passage. Then, identify the claim.
(A) Recycling helps protect the environment. (B) It reduces the need for processing raw materials that create pollution. (C) As recycling saves energy, it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. (D) This helps to deal with climate change. (E) Some people say that recycling causes pollution. (F) However, this is not true. (G) According to the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, recycling will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48 million tons by 2025. (H) This is the equivalent of the amount emitted by 36 million cars! (I) Make recycling part of your lifestyle, and you will help protect the environment.
A
A student is writing an opinion article for the school newspaper. The student needs to improve the argument by adding relevant evidence. Read the paragraph from the article and answer the question.
Climate change can result in warmer ocean temperatures and a rising sea level. The effects of global warming should be a concern for all citizens. In fact, increases in ocean temperature can result in disastrous effects for both humans and marine animals.
Which two sentences should be added to best support the underlined claim?
A- Strong storms and increasing sea levels take over beaches.
B- Marine animals move to areas where the water temperature is more suitable to their comfort.
C- Warm ocean water can result in reduced catches for the fishing industry.
D- Flooding can cause ocean shorelines to drastically change.
E- The strength and frequency of dangerous storms are intensified by the warming of ocean water.
C and E
Isabelle is writing an opinion article about music for her school newspaper. She wants to acknowledge an opposing argument. Read the draft and answer the question.
Music transforms the brain, and this is why every student should learn to play an instrument. When playing an instrument, the brain is trained to distinguish sounds. This can have positive effects on reading, speech, and overall grades.
Which sentence would best acknowledge an opposing viewpoint without weakening her argument?
A- However, not everybody is talented at music, so it might not be worth the effort.
B-However, some students may not have the necessary support to play an instrument.
C- However, some parents see sports or other after-school clubs as a better use of their time.
D-However, students should only learn music if they really want to and will truly enjoy it.
B-However, some students may not have the necessary support to play an instrument.
Which of the following is an example of juxtaposition?
A. It was a bright cold day in April
B. It was a dark and stormy night.
C. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
D. There is no more snow left on the ground.
C. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.