FORMULATING

COUNTERCLAIMS
“Being able to recognize and
formulate counterclaims in
reaction to an argument is a
characteristic of a good critical
reader.”
 COUNTERCLAIMS
Are claims made to rebut a
previous claim. They provide a
contrasting perspective to the
main argument.
 COUNTERCLAIMS
1. SHOWS A DEEP COMPETENCE AND FAMILIARITY
WITH THE WRITERS’ TOPIC.
2. SHOWS THAT YOU ARE EXAMINING DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES AND NOT JUST PASSIVELY
ACCEPTING ANY WRITER’S CLAIM.
3. SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE THOROUGLY CONSIDERED
THE TOPIC AND ARE WILLING TO ENGAGE
DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS FROM YOUR OWN.
4. HELPS YOU CLARIFY YOUR PERSONAL STAND
REGARDING THE TOPIC.
 HOW TO FORMULATE A
COUNTERCLAIM?
1. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR POINTS ON WHICH YOU AND
THE AUTHOR CAN DISAGREE?
2. WHAT IS THEIR STRONGEST ARGUMENT? WHAT DID
THEY SAY TO DEFEND THEIR POSITION?
3. WHAT ARE THE MERITS OF THEIR VIEW?
4. WHAT ARE THE WEAKNESSES OR SHORTCOMINGS IN
THEIR ARGUMENT?
5. ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN ASSUMPTIONS?
6. WHICH LINES FROM THE TEXT BEST SUPPORT THE
COUNTERCLAIM YOU HAVE FORMULATED?
 DETERMINING TEXTUAL
EVIDENCE
“To better evaluate the author’s argument,
you should be able to determine the
evidence from the text. This will allow
you to validate the assertions of the author
and your own counterclaims as a response
to reading.”
 DETERMINING TEXTUAL
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE

defined as the details given by the author

in order to support his/her claim.
Evidence is crucial in swaying the reader
to your side.
 FORMS OF EVIDENCE
1. FACTS AND STATISTICS

2. OPINION FROM EXPERTS

3. PERSONAL ANECDOTES
 CHARACTERISTIC OF A GOOD
EVIDENCE
1. UNIFIED

2. RELEVANT TO THE CENTRAL POINT

3. SPECIFIC AND CONCRETE

4. ACCURATE

5. REPRESENTATIVE OR TYPICAL