OPPOSING VIEWS

WHY SHOULD I PRESENT THE OPPOSING SIDE?

Including opposing arguments: Strengthens your credibility

Interested in finding the truth Knowledgeable Fair

Addresses the reader’s objections

Can help fuel your argument

Does including opposing arguments weaken your essay?

WHAT ARE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS? Arguments against a claim, evidence, or

explanation. (Explanation: interpretation of evidence or explanation

of how evidence proves claim).

Degrees of (Dis)Agreement

Completely Agrees Partially (Dis)agrees Disagrees

Practice: Argue against this claim, evidence, and explanation. College students should participate in athletics. 80% of college athletes earn above a 2.5 GPA. Therefore, being involved in athletics helps students

become academically successful.

HOW CAN I FIND OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?Identify the Most Important Opposing Arguments Start with the opposing arguments that first come to mind.

Identify opposing arguments to your main claims Consider your audience and the opposing side—Who are they?

What do they believe? What do they want? Why? What might they argue?

Identify More Subtle Opposing Arguments Find other opposing arguments by identifying your claims,

evidence, and explanations. Ask yourself, how might a reasonable person argue against this? Try negating or partially negating your claims, evidence, and

explanations. Think of counterexamples.

Check your opposing arguments by asking, “Would a reasonable person argue this?” and “Does this opposing view need to be addressed?”

TIPS Don’t just list multiple

counterarguments. Consider a few of the most relevant counterarguments in some depth.

HOW SHOULD I ADDRESS OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?

Two Ways:1. Prevent Opposing Arguments

Add enough details and explanations so the reader doesn’t have any objections

2. Present and Respond to Opposing Arguments Introduce opposing arguments and respond to them

Although opponents may believe X… Proponents of this bill argue X because of Y;

however…

How will you decide which approach to use?

HOW SHOULD I PRESENT OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?

Be specific and provide the reasons for their claims.

Be brief—don’t emphasize or support their points too much.

Be fair—take counterarguments seriously; do not belittle them.

Respond immediately to opposing arguments.

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO THE OPPOSING SIDE?

1. Concede, BUT show why the audience should accept your argument anyway.

2. Partially refute the counterargument—“yes, sometimes…” and show why the audience should accept your argument.

3. Completely refute it—show why the counterargument is mistaken.

Should you ever concede to an opposing argument?

WHAT IF I CAN’T REFUTE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?

Consider qualifying or changing your claim!

Be open-minded

WHERE SHOULD THE COUNTERARGUMENT GO?

ConclusionWrap up

General statement

s

BodyClaims, evidence, and explanations that support thesis and refute opposing

arguments

Introduction Opposing Argument

sThesis

ConclusionWrap up General

statements

Multiple Body ParsClaims, evidence, and explanations that support

thesis

Body Par 1Opposing Arguments and response

Introduction General statements Thesis

ConclusionWrap up General

statements

Body Par 2Opposing Argument

sClaims and evidence

Body Par 1Opposing Argument

sClaims and evidence

Introduction General statements Thesis

ConclusionWrap up General

statements

Last Body ParOpposing Arguments and response

Multiple Body ParsClaims, evidence, and

explanations that support thesis

Introduction General statements Thesis

When would you use each of these?

The Intro: The First Body P: Every Body P: The Last Body P:

PRACTICE: THE DOUBTING GAMEPart 1: Reading Skeptically Switch papers with a partner. Read his/her essay as a skeptical reader (even if you

actually agree). Write opposing arguments, questions, and counterexamples.

Part II: Selecting Arguments Read through the opposing arguments and concerns

written on your essay. Decide which to include in your essay by asking yourself:

“Is this important for me to include and respond to? “Would a reasonable person argue this?”

Decide how you’ll respond: preventing or presenting

AN EXAMPLE…

Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.

Internal combustion engines cause a great deal of air pollution. Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity.

Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor, which means that less pollution is produced.

Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that a decision to switch to a hybrid car will make a long-term impact on pollution levels.

Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.

PRACTICE: DIALOGUE

1. Review your main point and supporting points.

2. Write a dialogue between you and your opposing side. • What will you argue?• How will they respond? …

Chart Claim/evidence Counter claim/evidence

Response/refutation

In-class essay on the opposing side