1. Claim and Counterclaim
Persuasive/Argumentative Writing

2. Tuesday, February 19
Write the two definitions and answer the question:
1. A claim is an opinion based position you take on an arguable viewpoint.
2. A counter-argument is an argument opposed to your thesis, or part of your thesis. It expresses the view of a person who disagrees with your position.
3. Why would you include a counter-argument in your essay? Doesn’t that weaken your argument?

3. BW Answer
Actually, no. Done well, it makes the argument stronger. This is because it gives you the chance to respond to your reader’s objections, and it shows that you are a reasonable person who has considered both sides of the debate. Both of these make an essay more persuasive.

4. Wednesday, February 20
Not all evidence is created equal. You must evaluate, or judge your evidence.
1. What does evaluate mean?
2. What can be done to evaluate evidence?

5. BW Answers 1. What does evaluate mean?
Evaluate means to judge the worth.
2. What can be done to evaluate evidence?
Ask if the evidence is- 1.) clearly related to the thesis 2.) a fact or expert opinion 3.)up to date 4.) unbiased and objective

6. 1. How can a counter-argument be rebutted, or disproven?
Thursday, February 21
1. How can a counter-argument be rebutted, or disproven?
2. What are faulty assumptions?

7. BW Answer
1. One of the most effective ways to rebut a counter-argument is to show that it is based on faulty assumptions. Either the facts are wrong, the analysis is incorrect, or the values it is based on are not acceptable.
2. Faulty assumptions are expectations or understandings that are based on incorrect facts or reasons that make no sense.

8. Topic: You want to persuade your parents to get a dog.
Friday, February 22
Topic: You want to persuade your parents to get a dog.
1. What could be one of their concerns?
2. How could you respond to their counterargument?

9. Monday, February 25
Topic: You want to persuade your parents to get a dog.
Your parent’s counterargument- The money we could save not getting a dog could go toward a family vacation.
1. What is your response? Create a one to three sentence counterargument.

10. BW Answer Possible Counterargument response:
“We would have more frequent family-bonding opportunities if we were taking care of a dog together. These would be low cost! Also, a compromise would be to go on a smaller, more inexpensive vacation and adopt a dog.”

11. Tuesday, February 26
1. You are putting together an argument for year- round school. Evaluate the evidence. Write down the choice that supports the argument, then explain why.
--using the building all year would be cost effective
--many people would have strong feelings about the change
2. “Continuing school without a long break would help students better remember what they learn.” How would this statement support your thesis? (Hint: Think evidence)

12. BW Answer
2. This could support your thesis IF the evidence is True! It needs to be verified (proven true) by a reliable source.

13. Wednesday, February 27
1. When should a counter- argument be conceded, or accepted?
2. How can you agree with a counter-argument to your point but still maintain your stance?!

14. BW Answer
1. When you find a counter-argument that is TRUE and it responds to your actual argument, you might need to agree with the point it makes.
Then you are faced with a choice: Do you abandon your thesis and adopt the counter-argument as your position?
2. Often it turns out you don’t need to abandon your thesis, but you might need to modify or refine it.
Example of a modified thesis: Students should learn what causes bullying, but should not be constantly lectured that “bullies are bad people.” Instead, they should be taught the causes and motivations in a way that they find interesting and that lets them make their own judgments.

15. Thursday, February 28
1. Is a faulty statement something to include in your argumentative essay? Explain why or why not.
2. What are you doing if you are asked to “evaluate” something?
3. What kinds of questions should you ask yourself when evaluating a source?

16. BW Answers
A faulty statement/assumption is one that is based on illogical or wrong information. So do you want this in a persuasive essay? PROBABLY NOT-explain.
To evaluate is to appraise or assess something. So what does this means?
When evaluating a source, you must consider if it’s reliable or accurate. What else?

17. Friday, March 1 1. What is a counter-argument?
2. How is a counter-argument used in an argumentative essay?
3. What types of opinions would be best to include as support in an essay?

18. BW Answers
A counter-argument/counter-claim is an argument that explains the opposite view of your claim.
You use a counter-claim in a persuasive/argumentative essay to show that you acknowledge the opposing views that others may have.
In an essay, you should include facts and reasonable or logical opinions that support your claim/argument.