Rebutting Your Opponents Arguments

At some point in your paper, you may want to address one of your opponent’s arguments, for the purpose of rebutting it. To do this, pick one of your opponent’s arguments, explain this argument if you need to, then proceed to tell the reader why this argument is flawed. You may want to concede some portion of the argument—but don’t concede too much. Your job is to make your opponent look ridiculous, not to help her out.

Most importantly, at all times it should be crystal clear to the reader that you do not buy your opponent’s arguments—you are simply repeating them for the purpose of rebutting them.

The following phrases (or their equivalents) may be useful:

• Some people claim that . . . .
• Although some people believe that . . . the truth is that . . . .
• Some people think that . . . . However, the truth is that . . .

Instructions for the Quiz

Answer the questions.