Counterclaims & Rebuttals
ENGLISH III
Reminder: Definition
 A COUNTERCLAIM is stating the opposing
viewpoint or opposing argument on an issue.
Example
 Claim: McDonald’s should be considered a healthy
restaurant because they offer water, fruit, and salad.
 Counterclaim: Even though they have a few healthy
options on the menu, McDonald’s should not overall
be considered “healthy” because the vast majority of
their options are greasy, fried, and high in calories.
You try!
 Come up with a possible counterclaim for this claim.
 CLAIM: Canton High School should become a year-
round school because students will be able to retain
more information over shorter breaks.
 COUNTERCLAIM:
You try!
 Come up with a possible counterclaim for this claim.
 CLAIM: Students in all of Canton School District
should have personal devices at school and home, so
they are able to complete homework more easily.
 COUNTERCLAIM:
You try!
 One more:
 CLAIM: Only seniors should be able to attend Prom
at CHS because it makes it more special, and with
less students attending, it’s easier to organize.
 COUNTERCLAIM:
Rebuttals
 Remember, a rebuttal is your response to the
counterclaim.
 This is an argument. A rebuttal is essentially “having
the last word.” You should try to pick apart the
counterclaim and explain why it is incorrect.
 To make your rebuttal more credible, you should
have at least one piece of evidence (from sources) to
support it.
Example
 Claim: McDonald’s should be considered a healthy restaurant because
they offer water, fruit, and salad.
 Counterclaim: Even though they have a few healthy options on the
menu, McDonald’s should not overall be considered “healthy” because
the vast majority of their options are greasy, fried, and high in calories.
REBUTTAL: Even though McDonald’s does have some
unhealthy options, they are really trying to improve their
healthy meals over the last few years by “championing
children’s well-being, expanding and improving nutritionallybalanced meal choices, and increasing customers’ and
employees’ access to nutrition information” (“McDonald’s
USA”). This includes reducing the sodium in their foods and
giving more healthy options for kids’ Happy Meals
(“McDonald’s USA”).
You try!
 Below I listed the first claim, and a possible counterclaim for it (you can
also use the counterclaim you created). Try to write down a rebuttal for
the counterclaim. You may not have sources available to you, so you
may have to omit the evidence part.
 CLAIM: Canton High School should become a year-round school
because students will be able to retain more information over shorter
breaks.
 Possible Counterclaim: CHS should not be a year-round school
because, even though the breaks are shorter and students will retain
more, students may also get worn down and “tune out” because of
having less lengthy breaks.
 REBUTTAL:
Try another one
 Claim: Students in all of CUSD #66 should have
personal devices at school and at home to make it
easier to get homework completed.
 Possible counterclaim: Even though it may be easier
to do homework, a lot of assignments require
Internet, and not all students have Internet access at
home. Plus students may forget the devices at home.
 REBUTTAL:
And one more
 Claim: Only seniors should be able to attend Prom at
CHS, so that it becomes more special and is easier to
organize.
 Possible counterclaim: The attendance requirements
should not change because having more students
attend equals more money coming in, and Prom can
possibly be held at a nicer location. Plus, Prom can
still be special, even if you have attended for three
years. It is different each time you go.
 REBUTTAL:
In your essays….
 Look at section IV on your outline.
 First, brainstorm what counterclaims someone
might have who disagrees with you. For instance, if I
think Oprah achieved the A.D. because of XYZ, what
might someone who doesn’t like Oprah/doesn’t think
she has achieved the A.D. say in opposition to me?
Write your counterclaim
 Once you have thought of a counterclaim, write it on
your outline.
Rebuttal
 What will you say to “have the last word” so to
speak? How can you argue against their
counterclaim?
 Write a rebuttal on your outline (could be as simple
as one sentence).
Evidence
 Now, spend time looking through your sources to
find EVIDENCE to back up your rebuttal, just like I
did in the McDonald’s example.
 Write out your evidence as either a quote,
paraphrase, or summary, and include a proper
citation on your outline.
Example
 Counterclaim: Oprah Winfrey hasn’t achieved the American Dream
because, even though she participates in charities, she does so for
notoriety and not for the good of the people.
 Rebuttal: Oprah Winfrey actually does give to charities and gives aid
to other people out of the kindness of her heart.
 Evidence: According to “Oprah Winfrey’s Official Biography,” “Oprah
has long believed that education is the door to freedom, offering a
chance at a brighter future. Through her private charity, The Oprah
Winfrey Foundation, she has awarded hundreds of grants to
organizations that support the education and empowerment of women,
children and families in the United States and around the world.” She is
doing this because she firmly believes in the power of education.
Homework
 Your entire outline should be completed by the
beginning of Monday’s class (sections I-IV).
 On Monday, we will practice writing our conclusions
and begin drafting these on Tuesday.