COUNTERARGUMENTS Argument Writing

JOURNAL PROMPT  Watch the video  After: What are some “holes” in this person’s argument? In other words, what might the opposing side argue that this woman doesn’t take into account about starting middle and high schools later?  Video:

PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT ESSAY  Introduction with thesis:  Interesting opening  Thesis: A sentence that tells us what you will be arguing (Schools should start later because...)  2 Body Paragraphs:  Paragraphs that each relate to the thesis  Follow the PIE format  1 Counterargument paragraph  Conclusion that restates the thesis

WHAT ARE COUNTERARGUMENTS?  When an author acknowledges the opposing side’s argument, but uses evidence to support why this argument is not as valid as theirs.  CRUCIAL to an argumentative essay  Example:  Argument: South Lyon should not have called a “cold day” last week, as students need to be in school to prepare for midterm exams. Furthermore, other schools in southeast Michigan such as Novi and Brighton did not close, so why should South Lyon have?  Counterargument: Some might argue that the wind chill for Thursday last week was at 16 below zero at 6 and 7 am. This means that students that were waiting for the bus had to endure these harsh conditions. However, it has been proven that it is safe for students to wait for the bus outside as long as the wind chill does not exceed 25 degrees below zero. Therefore, this argument is not as valid.

WHY ARE COUNTERARGUMENTS IMPORTANT?  They show that you acknowledge the other side, but have evidence to prove that the other side’s argument is not as valid.  Not as one-sided  A more well rounded argument = a better argumentative essay

COUNTERARGUMENT ACTIVITY  You will be receiving a body paragraph and the prompt that it’s paired with. Your job is to come up with a counterargument paragraph for this topic  We will talk about these either at the end of today, or the beginning of class tomorrow