The Rebuttal
Rebuttal Definition
-When you predict the arguments against your
argument and respond to them.
-You are “beating your opponents to the punch,”
so to speak.
Why Do You Need a Rebuttal?
• A rebuttal builds your credibility (ethos) because it
demonstrates your knowledge of the topic.
• It decreases the amount of points your opposition can
make when they are developing their counterargument.
How Do I Write a Rebuttal?
1. Start by predicting what the main argument against
your argument would be, and introduce it in a topic
sentence.
Use transition or signal words such as:
- “Opponents of this argument may think…”
- “Some feel....”
How Do I Write a Rebuttal?
2. Explain, in a few sentences, what the argument
against yours is. This demonstrates your knowledge of
the issue and shows you are informed.
How Do I Write a Rebuttal?
3. Once you are done explaining the other side,
acknowledge the truth (or lack of truth) in it. Is this
argument accurate? Only true in certain situations?
Completely false?
-You may start with something like: “While this much is
true…”
How Do I Write a Rebuttal?
4. Lastly, circle back to your argument. Explain why
your argument is still stronger by using a new piece of
evidence to bolster your opinion.
Rebuttal Example
On the next slide, there is a rebuttal paragraph
from an essay. The writer is against
standardized curriculums and testing. Identify
the following:
• Introduction of the other side;
• The explanation of the other side;
• The turn back to the main argument;
Rebuttal Example
Some may feel that schools are serving their students better by offering a
standardized curriculum and standardized testing. In fact, the implementation of
standards and testing resulted in a large part from No Child Left Behind, whose goal
was to have 100% of students reading and writing on grade level. This is a worthy
goal and no one is arguing with that. The problem is in the implementation. The
rigid standards set high expectations, but there is so much information to cover that
teachers have to rush through the curriculum at a whiplash-inducing speed.
Students do not have time to study material of interest to them, let alone learn any
of the material in a meaningful way; they only have time to cram and move on. This
is just one way in which schools fail to develop thoughtful and independent
students.
Where Should I Put My Rebuttal?
• As a quick move within a body paragraph. After you
develop your sub-point, insert a short rebuttal for that
point.
• As a paragraph (or two) just before the conclusion of
your essay. Here you would identify the strongest
argument against yours and base your rebuttal around
it.
Review
• What is the purpose of a rebuttal?
• Describe the structure of a basic rebuttal
paragraph.