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The Opposing Side. Why Should I Present the Opposing Side?. Strengthens your credibility Knowledgeable Fair Interested in finding the truth Addresses the reader’s objections Can help fuel your argument. What are Opposing Arguments?. Arguments against a claim, evidence, or explanation. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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THE OPPOSING SIDE
WHY SHOULD I PRESENT THE OPPOSING SIDE?
Strengthens your credibility Knowledgeable Fair Interested in finding the truth
Addresses the reader’s objections
Can help fuel your argument
WHAT ARE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS? Arguments against a claim, evidence, or
explanation. (Explanation: interpretation of evidence or explanation
of how evidence proves claim).
Degrees of Opposition
Completely Agrees Partially (Dis)agrees Disagrees
Practice: Argue against this claim, evidence, and explanation. College students should participate in athletics. 80% of college athletes earn above a 2.5 GPA. Therefore, being involved in athletics helps students
become academically successful.
HOW CAN I FIND OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?Identify the Most Important Opposing Arguments Start with the opposing arguments that first come to
mind. Consider your audience and the opposing side—Who are
they? What do they believe? What do they want? Why?
Identify More Subtle Opposing Arguments Find other opposing arguments by identifying your claims,
evidence, and explanations. Ask yourself, how might a reasonable person argue
against this? Try negating or partially negating your claims, evidence,
and explanations. Think of counterexamples.
Check your opposing arguments by asking, “Would a reasonable person argue this?”
TIPS Don’t just list multiple
counterarguments. Consider a few of the most relevant counterarguments in some depth.
HOW SHOULD I ADDRESS OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?
Two Ways:1. Prevent Opposing Arguments
Add enough details and explanations so the reader doesn’t have any objections
2. Present and Respond to Opposing Arguments Introduce opposing arguments and respond to them
Although opponents may believe X… Proponents of this bill argue Y because of Z;
however…
How will you decide which approach to use?
HOW SHOULD I PRESENT THE OPPOSING SIDE?
Be specific and provide the reasons for their claims
Be brief—don’t emphasize or support their points too much
Be fair—take counterarguments seriously; do not belittle them
Respond immediately to opposing arguments
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO THE OPPOSING SIDE?
1. Concede, BUT show why the audience should accept your argument anyway.
2. Partially refute the counterargument—“yes, sometimes…” and show why the audience should accept your argument.
3. Completely refute it—show why the counterargument is mistaken.
WHAT IF I CAN’T REFUTE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS?
Qualify or change your claim!
Be open-minded
WHERE SHOULD THE COUNTERARGUMENT GO?
ConclusionWrap up
General statement
s
BodyClaims, evidence, and explanations that support thesis and refute opposing
arguments
Introduction Opposing Argument
sThesis
ConclusionWrap up General
statements
Multiple Body ParsClaims, evidence, and explanations that support
thesis
Body Par 1Opposing Arguments and response
Introduction General statements Thesis
ConclusionWrap up General
statements
Body Par 2Opposing Argument
sClaims and evidence
Body Par 1Opposing Argument
sClaims and evidence
Introduction General statements Thesis
ConclusionWrap up General
statements
Last Body ParOpposing Arguments and response
Multiple Body ParsClaims, evidence, and
explanations that support thesis
Introduction General statements Thesis
When would you use each of these?
The Intro: The First Body P: Every Body P: The Last Body P:
AN EXAMPLE…
Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.
Internal combustion engines cause a great deal of air pollution. Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity.
Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor, which means that less pollution is produced.
Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that a decision to switch to a hybrid car will make a long-term impact on pollution levels.
Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.
PRACTICE: DIALOGUE
1. Review your main point and supporting points.
2. Write a dialogue between you and your opposing side. • What will you argue?• How will they respond? …
Chart Claim/evidence Counter claim/evidence
Response/refutation
In-class essay on the opposing side