The best defence is a good defence
In this lesson, we'll look at how you can defeat a counterargument, and strengthen your position.
Now that we have the basics of argumentation, we'll do a few lessons on some of the more subtle points of constructing an argument and doing well on the communication of information part of the test. The first thing we will look at is how to address weaknesses in your own position, and therefore defeat counterarguments before they are made.
This is another thing that people never do: address possible (and obvious) counter-arguments. We'll get students thinking about holes in their logic or position, and how to address them in their answers.
What is a counterargument? How does making a counterargument strengthen your position?
A counterargument is an argument that works against your thesis (claim), evidence or reasoning. Any weaknesses in any of these three aspects of your argument and result in your argument falling over.
Using counterarguments in your argument will make your argument more persuasive and stronger. You will address doubts and weaknesses that your reader or listener may have. It makes you appear:
- more balanced in your analysis;
- more mature/realistic in your outlook;
- as someone who confronts and deals with your own weaknesses; and
- as someone who is more interested in the truth than winning the point.
Note: Not all counterarguments are worth consideration. Your choice of counterargument can say a lot!
Let's look at the two aspects of counterargument:
- the turn against; and
- the turn back.
Discuss these with your teacher.
Your teacher will tell you some language you can use to introduce the turn against and the turn back.
Now let's think about possible counterarguments to the following claim:
Japanese food is the best.
Now express the counterargument as a turn against and then a turn back.
First of all, explain the two parts of the counterargument:
- A "turn against" is when you imagine a skeptic's point of view, or a commonly held objection:
- a problem with your claim, evidence or reasoning;
- any practical drawbacks or disadvantages to what you are suggesting; or
- an alternative that makes more sense.
- A "turn back" is when you reaffirm your argument:
- refute the turn against;
- show that the objections are mistaken or not a real problem;
- acknowledge it, but suggest that on balance it is less important than it seems or does not matter; or
- possibly restate or qualify your claim to accommodate the objection (if it undermines your whole position, you are sunk!).
Teach your student the language used for the turn against:
- One might object here that...
- It might seem that...
- It's true that...
- Admittedly,...
- Of course,...
- But how...?
- But why...?
- But isn't this just...? or
- But if this is so, what about...?
Language used for the turn back:
- but,
- yet,
- however,
- nevertheless or
- still.
Japanese food is the best.
Some counter arguments to the claim above about Japanese food:
- the portions are too small;
- it's kind of bland and flavourless;
- it's restricted too much by tradition and it is not innovative;
- everything has sugar in it (a lot of Japanese recipes are some variant on the combination of soy sauce, sake, stock, mirin and sugar); and
- some of the flavours are very strange for non-Japanese people.
Your student should be able to come up with some counterarguments themselves. If they cannot, give them one or two of the above ideas.
They should then express the counterargument as a turn against and a turn back:
It might seem that the portion sizes are small. However, this is because many people in other countries have become used to portions that are, in fact, too large and can lead to over-eating.
Let's practice with some G.B.C. style questions. State your main claim for the questions your teacher will ask you, and develop counterarguments for each.