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What do you do with counterclaims?

You already know it's a good idea to address counterclaims to your argument. But how do you go about it? Click through the slideshow below to learn some strategies for arguing against your opponent's position.

Attack! You can attack, or offer a rebuttal, to a counterclaim. For example, let's say you are arguing to prevent the building of apartments and shopping centers in the wetlands near your city. You're convinced that developing this area would cause flooding and other environmental hazards. One counterclaim made by your opponents is that developing this area is the only way to save the city's economy, since it would provide construction and retail jobs as well as property tax revenue.

river at sunset

You can attack that counterclaim by showing that the renovation of existing buildings downtown would achieve the same economic benefits without jeopardizing the wetlands.

Dismiss. You can dismiss a counterclaim that is silly or impractical. For example, let's say you live in an area that has a problem with feral hogs, an invasive species that is very destructive. Your opponent suggests that the best way to deal with the hog problem is to trap the hogs, transport them to a wilderness area, and release them.

wild pig

You can dismiss this counterclaim as silly, impractical, dangerous, AND expensive! Here's how.

Feral hogs are smart and weigh hundreds of pounds each. Trapping them is dangerous and would only capture a few of the hogs anyway. Trapping and transporting these large, aggressive animals is expensive. Releasing them in the wilderness is irresponsible and doesn't solve the problem. The hogs will happily destroy whatever area they are relocated to.

Be careful when dismissing a counterclaim. You can think that your opponent's claim is silly or ridiculous, but don't use those words. You don't want to appear smug or conceited. Instead, use a few well-chosen reasons or facts that show how ridiculous the counterclaim is.

Concede. You can concede to, or agree with, a counterclaim. It's okay to admit that your opponent has a point. Meanwhile, look for a way to turn the discussion back to your goal. For example, let's say that the school board announced that there is no money in the budget to send your school's marching band to the regional band competition this year. You are attending the school board's meeting as a student representative of the marching band.

marching band

You can't really attack the board's claim. There's a limited amount of money in the budget, and other areas probably faced spending cuts, too. You can't dismiss the claim, either. Keeping the budget balanced is neither silly nor impractical; it's the school board's job. Concession is your only option. But that doesn't mean you and the other band members have to give up on going to the regional competition. Instead, do this:

When it's your turn to address the board, concede that the money for the trip cannot come from the school's budget and offer a counter-proposal:

The members of the marching band understand the board's decision not to fund our trip to the regional band competition this year. These are tough economic times, and tough decisions have to be made. However, the annual band competition is important to our band members and our school pride. We count on the board's support as we endeavor to pay for the trip ourselves through fund-raising activities and corporate sponsorship of the band.