W11 Writing Practice: Counterarguments

Name: Dicmary Zambrano.

Instructions
Review the W11 Writing Lesson: Counterarguments in your course. Then answer each of
the following questions.

1. What prompt question are you going to answer in your persuasive essay
due in Week 13? Check ONE.

☐ Based on what you learned about the definition of a primary emotion, do you
believe anger is a choice, or should it be considered a primary emotion? Why or why
not?
☐ Does everyone come to earth with the same amount of potential? Why or why
not?
☐ Do you believe that people have a specific “calling” in life? Why or why not?
☒ What counts more-- hard work or talent? Why?

2. What is your thesis statement? (Should only be one sentence)

Example: My spiritual and secular study as well as my own life experience has taught me
that life callings can change as spiritual gifts and needs in the world change.

My personal experiences and Bishop J. Richard teachings about the value of labor have
taught me that hard work counts more than talent.

3. What popular and reasonable counterargument do you intend to cover in

your counterargument paragraph?

Example: The counterargument to my own argument (thesis statement) that I intend to

engage in this paragraph is the “fear-of-missing-out” (FOMO) mentality that many people
have these days. I know of so many people that believe that a failure to act on certain
opportunities has caused them to miss out on what could have been their life calling.
My counterargument will cover the idealization of innate talent. Some people think that if
you do not have the talent to do something, you should stop and look for something else.
I have experienced how some people leave something they love just because they
weren't good enough.

4. What is one logical supporting detail you will share to refute the
counterargument?

Example: I found a quote from President Hinckley (an expert testimony) that says we
should not “nag ourselves with thoughts of failure” nor “set goals far beyond our capacity
to achieve.” He promises that as we do our best, Heavenly Father will “accept our efforts.” I
think this nicely counters this idea that we have one shot at callings in life.

I will use a quote from Elder Stephen L Richards that says “Work with faith is a cardinal
point of our theological doctrine and our future state—our heaven, is envisioned in terms
of eternal progression through constant labor.”