5. Counterarguments

The following lessons will use Greta’s writing as an example to teach you how to win any argument by including your critics’ voices in your own writing

What is a counterargument?

 

Counterargument example 1

 

Counterargument example 2

Links to Greta’s Speeches:

Example 1: “Our House is On Fire”

https://youtu.be/U72xkMz6Pxk

Example 2: “The World is Waking Up”

https://youtu.be/TMrtLsQbaok

Try it:

After watching these videos, write a second paragraph to go with your “gut claim” that incorporates at least one counterargument. You’ll first have to think about what people who disagree with you tend to say about your topic. Then, you’ll have to consider how you can respond convincingly to their ideas.

 

Here are some examples:

  • Some people say that high school students want school to start later because they’re lazy. That’s just a biased attitude. Research actually shows that …
  • Some politicians argue that wages should have been raised a long time ago, so to catch up, we need to make a big change now. It may be true that American workers aren’t being paid enough, but higher wages won’t help people who lose their jobs as a result of a huge wage hike.

Next: Revise