Lesson 2

Formulating
Counterclaims That
Disprove Claims of
Fact
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Things to Consider in Formulating Counterclaims

1. Understand the main claim of the author and examine the
supporting information.
2. Determine the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s
claim.
3. Think of opposing arguments that can disprove or weaken the
author’s main claim and cite some textual evidence.
4. Formulate your counterclaims and provide the necessary
support.
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Things to Do If Facts and Statistics Are

Unavailable

1. Verify the cited source of the claim not only to see if it is

true but also to see its limitation.
2. Check other sources that support the claim. Some or a
few of the sources may contain inconsistencies that you
can use to disprove the claim.
Lesson 3

Formulating
Counterclaims That
Weaken Claims of
Value
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Claim of Value

It is more subjective than any other type of claim because

it is largely influenced by a person’s own culture,
background, religion, and other personal factors.

However, a counterclaim attempts to weaken a claim.

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Guidelines to Take Advantage of Subjectivity

1. Identify the limitations of the author’s point of view.

2. Find flaws in the author’s reasoning.
3. Examine the standards that the author uses as a basis for
his or her claim.
Lesson 4

Formulating
Counterclaims That
Undermine Claims of
Policy
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Claims of Policy

It argues for or against a course of action.

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Things to Consider in Formulating Counterclaims That

Undermine Claims of Policy

1. Assess the course of action proposed by the author in

terms of its feasibility and effectiveness.
2. Cite some critical studies related to the author’s
proposition.