revise the research paper

Counterargument

A counterargument is a part of an argumentative essay in which the writer describes the best reasons for disagreeing with his or her position. While it may seem that giving space to reasoned opinions that run contrary to one’s thesis will weaken its power to persuade, the proper use of counterargument should actually make one’s argument more persuasive for at least two reasons: (1) It puts the writer in the position of having to make his or her argument as strong and as reasonable as possible so as to represent a plausible alternative to the opposing viewpoint; (2) It shows that the writer has considered the other side or sides of an issue and thereby suggests that his or her thesis has been arrived at through a thoughtful and thorough process.

The following exercise is designed to help you write the counterargument paragraph of your paper.

1. Write your thesis here:

2. What are the best arguments against your thesis that you can think of and/or that you have been able to find in your research? List them here:

3. Write a counter thesis to your own that incorporates two or three of the points listed in your response to the last question.

4. Develop the sentence you wrote for #3 into a paragraph by mentioning your own thesis and giving details explaining the main points of the counter thesis.