Counter Arguments and Conjunctions (“Yes, but...”)

How to win an argument! Work out what your opponent is going to say Say it yourself Argue against it Use a word that signals the contrasting ideas The problem of global pollution is huge, but even tiny actions can make a difference: all of us can reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into landfill sites, just by re-using plastic bags and recycling bottles and cans.

How to win an argument! Work out what your opponent is going to say Say it yourself Argue against it Use a word that signals the contrasting ideas Zoos are cruel and unnatural. Zoos protect and conserve animals. While it could be argued that zoos are cruel and unnatural, many of them have successful breeding programmes which protect vulnerable species from extinction.

Words that signal contrasting ideas Coordinating conjunctions: but or yet These connect two main clauses and make each different idea sound equally balanced and important. Zoos preserve species for future generations, yet they could be considered cruel and unnatural. Animals at risk of extinction can be left to perish in the wild, or they can be protected by being kept in captivity.

Your mum says: “No you can’t keep a hippo as a pet. Don’t be ridiculous!” You say: You may think hippos........................, but actually they need very little to keep them happy. I know that hippos have a reputation for eating people, yet.................... Do you want to let hippos die out in the wild or .................?

Words that signal contrasting ideas Subordinating conjunctions: while despite although whereas These connect a subordinate clause to a main clause. The more important idea belongs in the main clause, the less important in the subordinate clause. Main clause Subordinate clause zoos are cruel and unnatural although they protect vulnerable animals

Argue to keep a pet lion.... a lion might seem a bit dangerous to keep as a pet the fact that it’s dangerous will make it an excellent guard-cat, ready to scare away any burglars they tend to spend all day sleeping I’m sure that if we poke it enough it will wake up and play with us they’re a bit bigger than a normal pet cat just imagine cuddling up to all that soft fur in winter while although whereas but

What do you notice about commas in these sentences? Have you noticed? You can use subordinating conjunctions at the start of a sentence as well as in the middle of a sentence: Despite the fact that pollution is a huge problem to solve, even tiny actions can make a difference. It is cruel to keep exotic animals as pets, although it seems to be increasingly popular. A coordinating conjunction must go in the middle of a sentence: The problem of global pollution is huge, but even tiny actions can make a difference. What do you notice about commas in these sentences?

Write your own counter argument Either: Pick your own animal – maybe a crocodile, monkey or anteater - and argue that you should be allowed to keep it as a pet. Or: Put forward your own argument about whether it is right to keep animals in zoos. Remember: Coordinating conjunctions but, or, yet connect two main clauses and make each different idea sound equally balanced and important. Subordinating conjunctions while, despite, although, whereas connect a subordinate clause to a main clause. The more important idea belongs in the main clause, the less important in the subordinate clause.

Linking ideas with conjunctions Conjunctions help to structure arguments clearly by linking ideas within sentences and between sentences. and but or yet for nor so because if since although despite while whereas which who that

Linking ideas with coordinating conjunctions Useful for adding information: and so for Useful for contrasting ideas: but yet or nor

Linking ideas with subordinating conjunctions Useful for explaining ideas: because if since   Useful for contrasting ideas: although despite while whereas  Useful for adding extra information about someone or something: which who that

Speech: Elect me as Class President You should elect me as Class President. I think that our opinions matter. I am a confident speaker. I have won prizes for public speaking. I can speak up at the school council. I will make sure that people listen to our opinions. Can you hear how disjointed this sounds? Can you use some coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to link ideas more securely?

Speech: Elect me as Class President You should elect me as Class President. I think that our opinions matter. You should elect me as Class President for I think that our opinions matter. I am a confident speaker. I have won prizes for public speaking. I am a confident speaker who has won prizes for public speaking. I can speak up at the school council. I will make sure that people listen to our opinions. Because I can speak up at the school council, I will make sure that people listen to our opinions.  

Can you rewrite this speech, using some coordinating and subordinating conjunctions so that the ideas are linked together more securely? You can change the order of words and add in your own words as needed. You should elect me as Class President. I think that our opinions matter. I am a confident speaker. I have won prizes for public speaking. I can speak up at the school council. I will make sure that people listen to our opinions. I am friendly. People come to me with problems. I always try to listen. Some people might find it difficult to tell a teacher if they’re being bullied. I’m here to help, and can go to the teacher with them. I’ll never judge anyone who comes to me for advice. You’ll always be able to count on me. I also want to start some fun fund-raising activities. There are lots of animal charities. They are important to me. We can work together. We can raise lots of money for these charities. We can organise sports competitions, sponsored events and teacher karaoke to make money. In conclusion, I’m a confident person. I listen well. I have big ideas. Vote for me!