Argue Against YOURSELF! (Counterargument Activity)

👉Here is the worksheet for this activity: https://briantolentino.com/argumentat...

👉Check out more of our resources here: https://briantolentino.com

👉Join our Email List! Email us at [email protected] and write "add me."

👉If you found this resource helpful, please support the channel by buying me a cup of coffee! My goal is to provide hundreds of FREE videos and worksheets for English teachers. Your generous donation would help me realize this goal. Thanks! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Tolentin...

Support our channel by getting some swag!https://www.etsy.com/shop/TolentinoTe...

👨‍💻 LET'S CONNECT
Instagram:   / tolentinoteaching  
Twitter:   / tolentinoteach  
Facebook ELA Group:   / 241115104094311👉check   out our other Icebreakers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17...

Too many writers--when they argue--present a one-sided slam dunk of an essay. They believe the more dominant their position, the more persuasive they will be.

One way to build credibility as a writer, however, is by creating tension in your essays--an ideological tug of war that demonstrates a nuanced thinker.

Only the most disciplined minds, in fact, can inject persuasive counterarguments into their writing. It is the ideological hacks, those obsessed with being right and promoting their agenda--who--when given the chance to counter argue--flounder. They mistake their inability to countargue not as a personal flaw, but as a weakness of their opponent’s position.

To combat this ideological arrogance and become a stronger thinker, you must wrestle with ideas--uncomfortable ideas, strange ideas, dangerous ideas, opposing ideas. John Stuart Mill said “He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion.”

To write sophisticated essays that reflect a person constantly juggling ideas in pursuit of truth, you must get into the habit of representing opposing ideas fairly. If you present a viewpoint too simply or misrepresent it--thus creating a straw man argument, you will lose your reader’s trust. However, If you steelman opposing arguments--thus attempt to present them honestly, and in the best way possible, you will build credibility as being open-minded, objective, and fair.

Here is a task To improve your ability to counter argue and steel man opposing viewpoints.

Come up with one debate topic that you strongly believe in--something, perhaps, that gets you animated and riled up. Then write an argumentative paragraph on that topic. If you are pro-choice when it comes to abortion, then write a paragraph arguing why you take this position. If you believe athletes should not be allowed to kneel during the national anthem, then write a paragraph explaining why.

After writing your argumentative paragraph, you need to “turn against yourself” and write a counter argument paragraph that refutes your previous claims. You should research opposing views and see if you can find flaws in your position, or find evidence you never pondered. Attack your own position as if you were attacking an opponent you disagreed with.

The purpose of this activity is to build the habit of critical thinking, and not just confirming ingrained beliefs.

So once again, write an argumentative paragraph on a topic of your choice. Then “turn against yourself” and write a counter argument paragraph that refutes your previous claims.