Example of a Counterargument – Concession - Rebuttal Paragraph

This handout was adapted from materials created by Anne Farnham (Head-Royce School) and Cary Moskovitz (Duke University)

·  “In most direct forms of argument, authors make claims and offer support for their claims. Because readers of scholarly work know that important questions rarely have simple answers, they expect authors to also consider seriously both contrary points of view (counterarguments)…. when the author admits some legitimacy to counterarguments … we call them concessions.” (Moskovitz)

·  A rebuttal is a refutation, a contradiction, or, in other words your logically stated disagreement with the counterargument

My claim is… Grading is more harmful than beneficial to student progress.

Many teachers, administrators, and even students argue that grades are necessary and beneficial to student progress. Certainly,grades do serve as a powerful motivational tool for students. The fear of failure gets otherwise disengaged students to complete their work, and the desire to receive excellent marks (A's) motivates good students to push themselves to do their very best work. It is also true that grades contribute to a productive classroom environment that benefits the entire group; students who know they will be graded down if they don't have their homework done tend to come prepared, thus improving the quality of class discussions.On the other hand,the positive motivational effects are overpowered by the negative impact of competition between students. Students who don't earn those A's often feel like failures, even though they have learned a great deal. What is gained from the B is often lost in the desired an A. Often students compare their grades with others in an effort to see how they rank. This relative status has little to do with how much an individual is actually learning.In short, we must find another way to motivate students that puts the emphasis on learning rather than on the delineation of winners and losers. (Farnham)

Step One: Underline the Counterargument and Concession

Step Two: Circle the rebuttal

Counterargument/ Concession/ Rebuttal

1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Counterargument, concession, and rebuttal are clearly stated and explained. Writer has effectively countered each concession with an argument. Rebuttal shows strong critical thinking and serves to significantly strengthen argument. / Counterargument, concession, and rebuttal are clear and understandable. Writer has countered each concession with a rebuttal. / Attempt has been made to present a counterargument, concession, and rebuttal. Flaws may be present in argumentation or organization which may make the paragraph difficult to follow. / Counterargument, concession and/or rebuttal are incomplete or missing or very difficult to understand.