Counterargument Examples

When writing an opinion, academic essay, or other paper showing two sides of an issue, it involves the inclusion of an argument. A thesis is proposed, and then evidence is offered suggesting the thesis is true. A counterargument is basically the argument or view of an issue from the other side.

A counterargument is something to be considered against the thesis or a part of the reason behind the thesis. Using a counterargument is an effect method to test content ideas when writing, revising and editing the essay. The completed essay can then contain a persuasive tactic which will often disarm the reader.

The doubts of skeptical readers can be anticipated and their objections can be pre-empted. The writer comes across as a person who has clearly contemplated the issue, weighing all sides of an issue or argument before choosing one of the sides to argue for or against.

In this way, the writer comes across as a person who is more interested in confronting the difficulties enmeshed within the argument and does not simply dismiss them. The writer is more interested in discovering the truth versus winning a point. The counterargument is not a contest or game to defeat the other side.

When using a counterargument, common sense prevails. Every objection does not have to be argued against, and do not include it just to include it. However, imagine other views, whether another person's or your own resistance to the argument. Using counterarguments will sharpen your own thinking as you write the turn against.

As counterarguments are contemplated, some writers discover their own views shifting, which results in an essay or paper being written from the side they originally were against. This is one of the most important reasons to reflect on counterarguments.

1. Littering: It seems like an easy argument to be against littering, but many can also use the counterargument stating littering results in the creation of jobs. People get paid to clean up the litter. Littering, of course, can also be argued as detrimental to the environment.

2. Bullying is often thought of as a natural part of society and when a person is bullied, the offender is to be punished. Without interference it becomes a cycle, bad for the victim and the bully who feels powerful and sometimes ashamed after the fact. A counterargument is to present evidence for the emphasis to be placed on prevention, instead of continuation of the cycle: bully then punish.

3. A child may argue for a dog. The parents remind the child his sister is allergic to dogs. The boy uses the counterargument that she has been around some dogs without any problems. He is ready for each argument against the dog, perhaps stating there are breeds of dogs that are hypoallergenic. He may also argue that a dog will build up the sister's tolerance.