1. Rebuttal notes Essential question: What is the definition of a rebuttal and how does it help my writing?

2. Rebuttal notes Definition: A reply intended to show fault in an opponent’s argument. Definition: A reply intended to show fault in an opponent’s argument. If nothing else, the writer must anticipate potential objections from his/her readers and plan his/her argument accordingly. If nothing else, the writer must anticipate potential objections from his/her readers and plan his/her argument accordingly.

3. Rebuttal notes Think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail Think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail He was responding to a public statement made by 8 clergymen to define “just” and “unjust.” He was responding to a public statement made by 8 clergymen to define “just” and “unjust.” Since King knew the clergymen would not listen to him outright, he wrote his arguments from the view of a man who desired only righteousness, and whose words compelled the reader to share his religious sentiments. Since King knew the clergymen would not listen to him outright, he wrote his arguments from the view of a man who desired only righteousness, and whose words compelled the reader to share his religious sentiments.

4. Three things to be cautious of: Avoid fallacies (especially name-calling!); stay reasonable; don’t let the reader think you’re taking unfair and unreasonable advantage of your opponent. Avoid fallacies (especially name-calling!); stay reasonable; don’t let the reader think you’re taking unfair and unreasonable advantage of your opponent. Don’t just pick away at minor points and expect that you have short-circuited your opponent’s argument; an argument fails when its main points are defeated. Don’t just pick away at minor points and expect that you have short-circuited your opponent’s argument; an argument fails when its main points are defeated. Remember to refer explicitly to statements in the original argument that you are attacking (you can paraphrase them). Don’t just take it for granted that the reader has read the original argument. Remember to refer explicitly to statements in the original argument that you are attacking (you can paraphrase them). Don’t just take it for granted that the reader has read the original argument.