Title: Competency Assessment: (CU2 M3) Finding Strong Counterarguments
Course: SkillsCom WR 122 15.0 > Section: Credit Unit 2 Module 3 - Counterargument

Now that you’ve completed some original research for your chosen topic, you’ve begun to see how this issue exists in society today. For an issue to be ready for academic argument, the issue must still have questions open to debate and discussion amongst a reasonable and knowledgeable audience. That means that, in every argumentative paper you write, you’ll need to present at least one (but sometimes many more) counter-arguments.

For this assignment, you’ll need to find a counter argument or arguments against the claim that you’ve constructed for your second essay. As you search for good sources, remember that Rebecca Jones cautions against thinking of issues as having only two sides. That means you may find multiple arguments that run against your own chosen position. As you see them, evaluate them honestly; consider whether they relate logically to what you’re arguing; and analyze the strength and authority with which each piece discusses its points. In other words, you’re looking for several strong, reasonable, and credible arguments that take a position against your piece – but that do it so well or reasonably that you might find yourself nodding along as you read.

Find at least one but up to three substantial, authoritative articles that claim a position which is against or in some way contrasts with your own claim (developed in Module 2 and/or in response to Essay 2 assignment). Good resources would include journal or long magazine articles, professional publications, articles drawn from the library databases, substantial web site articles with credible authors or associations, or book chapters. Analyze the piece using the Toulmin method to fully understand the reasons and support that the author uses as she/he makes her/his argument.Turn in a one-to-two paragraph summary of the counterargument that, first, restates the author’s or authors’ argument into your own words and, next, discusses how it directly opposes your own claim. You may find that the counterargument you read also agrees with you in some places. That’s fine! The best counterarguments acknowledge what’s going right in other discussions. You should refer to this in your discussion of the counterargument. Also, discuss how you’ll refute what the other writer is saying in at least one or two sentences.