THE OPPOSING SIDE

WHY SHOULD I PRESENT THE OPPOSING SIDE?

Strengthens your credibility Knowledgeable Fair Interested in finding the truth

Addresses the reader’s objections

Can help fuel your argument

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

explanation. (Explanation: interpretation of evidence or explanation

of how evidence proves claim).

Degrees of Opposition

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. Consider your audience and the opposing side—Who are

they? What do they believe? What do they want? Why?

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?”

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 Y because of Z;

however…

How will you decide which approach to use?

HOW SHOULD I PRESENT THE OPPOSING SIDE?

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.

WHAT IF I CAN’T REFUTE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?

Qualify or change 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:

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