TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Counter-Argument and Refutation

Activity Type Introduction

Writing Exercises: In this counter-argument and refutation worksheet, students
identifying, paraphrasing, learn how to write a counter-argument and refutation paragraph
writing sentences, to include in a persuasive essay.
paragraph writing
Procedure
Focus Give each student a copy of the three-page worksheet.
Counter-arguments First, students read a short passage explaining the purpose of a
Refutations counter-argument and refutation.

Concessions Students then read a paragraph that includes a counter-argument

and a refutation and identify and paraphrase both the writer's
view and the opposing view.
Aim
Exercise A - Answer key
To learn and practice
writing a counter- Writer's view: Prisons contribute to crime because rather than
argument and refutation help improve prisoners, they teach them to be better criminals.
paragraph that includes a
concession for persuasive Opposing view: If criminals are in prison, they are not out in the
essays. community breaking the law.

Next, students read a short passage explaining three ways to

Preparation refute a counter-argument - refute evidence, refute the main
assumption, and identify and explain the logical fallacy.
Make one copy of the
three-page worksheet for After that, students read four counter-arguments and refutations
each student. and identify the ways the counter-arguments are refuted.

Exercise B - Answer key

Level
Upper-intermediate (B2) 1. faulty evidence 2. faulty assumption
3. logical fallacy 4. faulty evidence

Time Students then read a short passage that explains the purpose of
beginning a refutation by making a concession to the opposing
75 minutes view.

Students then move on to read a complete counter-argument

paragraph and identify its four key parts.

Exercise C - Answer key

Topic sentence - 1
Counter-argument - 2, 3, 4
Concession - 5
Refutation - 6, 7, 8, 9
Concluding sentence - 10

(continued on the next page)

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 TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Counter-Argument and Refutation

Activity Type Procedure continued

Writing Exercises: Next, students write a counter-argument and refutation for two
identifying, paraphrasing, arguments that both include a concession. The arguments are
writing sentences, written in such a way that students can choose to take either a for
paragraph writing or against stance on the issue. Explain to students that they can
simply cross out the stance they do not wish to take.

Focus Students continue by reading a short passage that explains how

Counter-arguments to incorporate a counter-argument and refutation paragraph into
a longer persuasive essay.
Refutations
Finally, students write two paragraphs addressing the question,
Concessions 'Is online shopping better than shopping in a bricks and mortar
store?'

Aim Explain to students that if they are for online shopping, they
To learn and practice should begin by writing a paragraph that does not include a
writing a counter- counter-argument and refutation, but just simply lists points to
argument and refutation support the main argument. In this case, the points will be the
paragraph that includes a three pros listed in the exercise. In the second paragraph, they
concession for persuasive should include a counter-argument and refutation which includes
essays. a concession. The counter-argument will be based on just one of
the cons listed in the exercise.

Preparation For students who are against online shopping, they follow the
same procedure, but the points for the first paragraph will be
Make one copy of the taken from the cons list and the counter-argument from the pros
three-page worksheet for list.
each student.

Level
Upper-intermediate (B2)

Time
75 minutes

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 PERSUASIVE ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Counter-Argument and Refutation

In a persuasive essay, you try to convince the reader that your argument is valid. To do
this effectively, it is useful to include an opposing viewpoint to the one you are arguing. This
opposing viewpoint is known as a counter-argument. Even though you are arguing one side of
an issue, it is not only acceptable but highly recommended to include an argument from the
view that opposes your own. After presenting the opposing view, include a refutation to show
why the other point of view is flawed or wrong. Attacking the opposing view is an effective way
to make your arguments more convincing.

A. In the paragraph below, identify both the writer's view and the opposing view and
paraphrase them below.

It is often argued that the most effective way to reduce crime is to build more prisons thereby
taking people with undesirable behaviours off the streets. While there is some logic to this view,
some experts argue that it can actually increase crime because rather than rehabilitate, prisons
can help create more hardened criminals.

Writer's view: ..............................................................................................................

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Opposing view: ............................................................................................................

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Refutation: The way in which you refute an argument depends on determining the particular
aspect of the counter-argument you want to attack. For example, you may challenge the
opposing view's evidence because it may not be credible, or it is outdated. Thus, you would
need to present evidence from a more credible source or evidence that is more current. In
another example, the counter-argument may be based on faulty assumptions, so you need
to show why these beliefs are flawed. Finally, the counter-argument may contain a number of
logical fallacies. Therefore, you will need to present and explain each fallacy.

B. Read the four counter-arguments and refutations and identify the aspect being
refuted. i.e. faulty evidence (FE), a faulty assumption (FA), or a logical fallacy (LF).

......... 1. While those that deny climate change often cite academic research to support their
claim, most if not all of these studies are not able to be replicated or they contain errors.

......... 2. Many people have recently entered the housing market despite all-time high prices in
the belief that real estate prices can only ever go up. However, many of these buyers have not
had the experience of living through a housing market crash.

......... 3. While those that oppose nuclear energy bring up the examples of Three Mile Island,
Chernobyl and Fukushima to argue that the risks far outway any benefits, this is a somewhat
hasty generalisation. They fail to mention that there are close to 500 nuclear power plants in
operation today all operating safely, and since the first nuclear power plant was established in
1954, these are the only incidents that are commonly cited.

......... 4. While there has been a well-publicised inquiry into the state of our education system,
the investigation was mainly led by key figures in the education department. Therefore, if we
want to trust any findings about the quality of education in our state, we need a fully open and
independent investigation.

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 PERSUASIVE ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Counter-Argument and Refutation

When refuting a counter-argument, it is useful to begin by making a brief concession. A

concession simply means to acknowledge that on the surface, the counter-argument seems to
have merit. After making the concession, explain why the counter-argument is flawed. You can
do this by refuting the evidence, an assumption, or logic. Through making a concession, you
show that you have studied both sides of the issue and that your conclusions should be taken
seriously.

C. Read the paragraph and write down the number or numbers of the sentences that
show the following:

The topic sentence ...................

The counter-argument ...................

The concession ...................

The refutation ...................

The concluding sentence ...................

(1) Those who oppose the idea of imposing higher taxes on the wealthy often refer to the
concept of trickle-down economics. (2) The key idea of trickle-down economic theory is that
when the wealthy gain benefits, these trickle down to everyone else in the economy. (3) These
benefits are usually in the form of tax cuts for high-income earners and businesses. (4) The
belief is that the money gained from tax cuts will be pumped back into the economy through
investments that will ultimately create more jobs and income for everyone. (5) On the surface
this argument seems quite logical. (6) However, this theory is being rejected by many, including
the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (7) Their research suggests that when the top 20%
become wealthier, this does not have a significantly positive impact on the economy. (8) In
contrast, they found that more economic growth is generated by increasing the incomes of low
to middle-income earners. (9) For instance, increasing the wealth of just one-fifth of low-income
earners by 1% results in about a 0.4% increase in economic growth, whereas an increase in
wealth for the top 20% only results in about a 0.1% increase in growth. (10) Thus, it can be
concluded that cutting taxes for the rich does not have wider benefits for all.

D. Read the arguments below and choose a stance. Then, write a short refutation of
the opposing stance that includes a concession.

1. Social media has / has not improved human communication.

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2. Advertising aimed at children is / is not harmful.

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 PERSUASIVE ESSAYS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Counter-Argument and Refutation

When writing a persuasive essay, not every body paragraph requires a counter-argument and
refutation. In a typical five-paragraph essay, it is usually acceptable to only include one counter-
argument and refutation paragraph. The other body paragraphs can simply be a list of points
in favour of the main argument.

E. Write two paragraphs on the following topic:

'Is online shopping better than shopping in a bricks and mortar store?'

If you are for online shopping, begin by writing a paragraph that does NOT include a counter-
argument and refutation, but simply discuss the three points in the pros column. In the second
paragraph, include a counter-argument and refutation which includes a concession. The counter-
argument will be based on one of the cons shown.

If you are against online shopping, follow the same procedure, but the points for the first
paragraph will be taken from the cons column and the counter-argument from the pros column.

Pros of online shopping Cons of online shopping

1. convenience 1. can be more expensive

2. greater selection 2. increases risk of fraud
3. easy access to information 3. leads to longer wait times

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