So far, we have discussed the basics of making your case, or argument. But a real argument doesn't end there. Your opponent also has a claim supported by reasons and evidence. The opinions of your opponent are called counterclaims.
In a debate or discussion, each side has the opportunity to respond to the other side's counterclaims right away. That works great when you and your opponent are face to face. But what about written arguments? Do you really need to address counterclaims in a persuasive essay? Click each of the tabs below to learn why counterclaims are so important.
Background
Credibility
Researching opposing claims provides you with important background information as you structure your own argument. Sometimes an opposing claim has such solid evidence for it that you need to revise your own claim so that you can argue it successfully. (You might even be persuaded to reject your argument entirely and change your mind on the issue.) Look at this example of how a counterclaim helped a writer adjust a position so that it became easier to defend.
Claim: Smoking always causes lung cancer.
Counterclaim 1: Not true! Not everyone who smokes develops lung cancer.
Revised Claim 1: Smoking contributes to the development of lung cancer.
Counterclaim 2: Not always! Some people who never smoke develop lung cancer.
Revised Claim 2: Smoking can contribute to the development of lung cancer.
In this example, addressing the counterclaims allows the writer to construct a claim about smoking and cancer that is true and takes into account all the evidence, not just some of it. The original claim was an overstatement, and some readers would have dismissed the argument for that reason.
Which word changes made this claim easier to defend?
changing always causes to can contribute to
When you qualify an argument by removing words such as always, never, and only, your argument will be easier to defend. It's fairly easy to find evidence to support the idea that smoking leads to many, or even most, cases of lung cancer. However, you would not find evidence that it causes all cases.
Addressing counterclaims to your argument increases your credibility with your audience--it makes you (and your argument) more believable. Why is this so?
When you adequately address counterclaims, it
- demonstrates your thorough understanding of the topic, not just your understanding of your side of the argument
- shows you are confident enough in your argument to dismiss or disprove opposing claims
- allows you to weaken the impact of opposing claims by shaping or controlling the way they are seen by your audience
