Chapter $11$: Review Activity

$3.$ Summarizing and Refuting Opposing Arguments

For an argument to be effective, it must indude counterarguments$-$that is$,$ statements that refute opposing viewpoints. Counterarguments may fault an opponent's position for being impractical or immoral, for example$-$but in order to be effective, they must deal with opposing ideas in fair, direct, and appropriately thorough ways. When counterarguments are reasonable and well$-$considered, they make the writer's claim more engaging and persuasive; however, when they ignore or unjustly dismiss opposing viewpoints, they undermine the credibility of argument and arguer alike.

It should be noted that the simple act of investigating counterarguments also has tremendous value. When arguers spend time considering opposing viewpoints and crafting rebuttals, they effectively engage in a process that will sharpen their claims and distinguish their ideas from those of others.

Directions: Select the correct answers to the questions that follow.

Which of the following statements are true? Check all that apply.

Researching counterarguments can help you differentiate your ideas from those of others.

Incorporating counterarguments can make you and your argument more fair than they would otherwise.

It isn't necessary to generate counterarguments if you have enough evidence and examples to support your claim.

It is important that opposing viewpoints be countered in a respectful and just way.