Text and Text Connections:

Formulating
Evaluative
Statements
 Formulating
Counterclaims
What is a COUNTERCLAIM?

Counterclaims are claims

made to rebut a previous claim.
They provide a contrasting
perspective to the main
argument.
What is a COUNTERCLAIM?

It answer the question

“What are other credible
possibilities?
 ● What are the major points on
which you and the author can
disagree?
● What is the strongest argument?
What did they say to defend their
Formulating ●
position?
What are the merits of their view?
Counterclaims ● What are the weaknesses or
shortcomings in their argument?
● Are there any hidden
assumptions?
● Which lines from the text best
support the counterclaim you have
formulated?
 Step One – Ways to begin
Steps in counterclaim paragraphs
● Many people believe
Writing that . . .
Counterclaims ● It is often thought that . . .
● It might seem as if . . .
● While it is common . . .
 Step Two – Ways to transition
from the opposite side back to
your opinion
Steps in ● What this argument fails to
Writing consider is . . .
● This view sounds convincing at
Counterclaims first but . . .
● Although the core claim is
valid, it suffers from the flaw
in its . . .
 Step Three – Write a
counterclaim.
Steps in ● Use one of the sentence

Writing starters in step one.

● Remember to transition
Counterclaims back to your opinion.
● Use one of the sentences

starters in step two.

 Example of Counterclaim:
It is often thought that social studies is the
favorite academic class for junior high school
students. However, what this argument fails to
consider is that science allows for more hands-
on activities. For example, when studying
amphibians, you get to dissect a frog rather than
just read about an event from the past.
 Hedges is a word or phrase that
minimizes negative impact of a
criticism. Hedges could come from
What are different forms such as:
● Modals (may, could, would, etc.)
HEDGES?
● Frequency adverbs (usually,
generally, commonly)
● Probability adverbs (probably,
possibly, presumably)
 Examples:
● Obesity is caused by the bad food

What are choices being offered by the food

industry.
HEDGES?
● Obesity is probably caused by the

bad food choices being offered by

the food industry.