Argument Essay with Counterclaim
Aligned to W.7.1 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Strong arguments address the other side. Introduce a counterclaim fairly, then refute it with evidence — this makes your own claim more convincing.
Worked examples
Example 1
Claim: 'Phones should be allowed at lunch.' Counterclaim: 'They reduce conversation.' Refute: structured phone-free zones keep social time while allowing breaks.
Example 2
Claim: 'Middle schoolers should have a study hall.' Counterclaim: 'It is a wasted period.' Refute: a structured, supervised hall raises homework completion.
Example 3
A counterclaim you invent to be easy to knock down fools nobody. Take the strongest version of the other side, or skip it.
Practice questions
- Write a claim and a fair counterclaim.
- Refute the counterclaim with one piece of evidence.
- Why does addressing the other side strengthen your essay?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Ensayo argumentativo con contraargumento
Los argumentos sólidos abordan el lado contrario. Presenta un contraargumento de manera justa y luego refútalo con evidencia — esto hace que tu propio argumento sea más convincente.
Ejemplo 1: Argumento: 'Se deben permitir los celulares en el almuerzo.' Contraargumento: 'Reducen la convivencia.' Refutación: las zonas designadas sin celular preservan el tiempo social mientras se permiten descansos.
Ejemplo 2: Afirmación: 'Los de secundaria deberían tener una hora de estudio.' Contraargumento: 'Es una hora desperdiciada.' Refutación: una hora estructurada y supervisada aumenta las tareas terminadas.
Ejemplo 3: Un contraargumento que inventas para tumbarlo fácil no engaña a nadie. Toma la versión más fuerte del otro lado, o sáltalo.
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