engl110-week-6-discussion
Learn how to write a counterargument/rebuttal paragraph for the week 7 analysis paper. Learn to analyze both sides of an issue.
In week 7, you will be submitting an extended analysis paper, one in which you look not just at your position on an issue, but also at the opposing position, the view that is the opposite of yours. This week you will practice looking at the opposing view, recognizing its strengths, and pointing out its weaknesses. One result of this process is that you will most likely feel more confident about your stance, as you have thought about and prepared responses to objections that you might face.
For this forum, start by reading “On the Other Hand: The Role of Antithetical Writing in First Year Composition Courses,” (which is linked here.
Initial Post
Considering the principles explored in this article, as well as lesson materials previously covered, write two (2) paragraphs for your week 7 paper. First post your thesis statement (a single sentence that is not a question) in bold; then post your counterargument paragraph and rebuttal paragraph for your week 7 analysis paper.
- One paragraph will be the antithetical paragraph, offering a view that opposes yours. This is your counterargument paragraph.Ease your reader into the paragraph.Maintain your identity as the writer who supports your stance.You might start your counterargument something like this, “There are some who feel this view on ________ is flawed.They say that _________ …”
- The second paragraph will be the reinforcement of your thesis, addressing the objections identified in the counterargument paragraph. This is yourrebuttal. Make the transition from counterargument to rebuttal a smooth one. You can use wording like this to get into your rebuttal: “While some objections have been made regarding _________, the case for _________ is still a strong one.”
Please note that you will likely use the same 5 paragraph essay structure you did in the week 5 essay, but will have additional paragraphs (counterargument and rebuttal paragraph) arguing both sides of the argument.
Sample Initial Student Post
Thesis: Food from McDonalds is good for one’s health because McDonalds serves fish sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and nutritious salads.
Counterargument paragraph (state what the other side thinks)
McDonalds serves unhealthy food because McDonalds’ main sales are high calorie drinks, fatty hamburgers, and oily French fries. Only a small minority of total McDonalds’ sales are healthy, such as salads and fish sandwiches. In addition, McDonalds hamburgers are 1,000 calories per serving….
Rebuttal paragraph (refute the counterargument)
It may be true that McDonalds sells unhealthy hamburgers; however, McDonalds’ salads contain lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and other healthy ingredients. Leafy green vegetables have antioxidants that help fight inflammation, heart disease and cancer. Eating McDonalds’ salads is good for one’s health….…
250 Words minimum answer
Responses to Other Students
Provide feedback to your fellow students about their paragraphs, using these questions as guides:
- Is the thesis a single sentence that presents a solid idea?
- Do the counterargument and rebuttal paragraphs make sense?
- Is the writer able to rebut his/her argument point by point?
- What strengths are especially striking?
- What areas could be improved?
Classmate # 1:
Thesis: Staying positive in life is good because it improves life in general.
Some people feel this view on staying positive is flawed. To them, staying positive in life is not good because it causes more harm than good and only cheats somebody that everything is ok where it isn`t. They say that this is unrealistic and unsustainable and that it makes one keep repeating errors and not reflecting on errors committed. This is very much true in love life and if it keeps on happening, it can lead to marriage/relationship break-ups. They also say that staying positive in life can make us loose some valuable emotions like the negative thoughts and feelings that can be highly empowering and inspiring. Some say that staying positive is annoying and at the same time an insult to those experiencing messy and hard, challenging and ever-changing life and so makes it not so great for friendships. Some also say that being positive will make one loose valuable lessons in life.
While some people have disagreed on getting inspired or empowered by negative thoughts and feelings, the tendency to keep repeating errors and not reflecting on errors committed is a strong one, although, reflecting on errors committed and more especially those that can`t be reversed or repeated is a wastage of time. Negative thoughts generate a sad mood or unhappy feelings. A man uses about 43 muscles to frown and only 17 muscles to smile. (Brad, 2006). Despite the hard times that we might be going through, keeping moving forward or thinking/planning ahead helps us to overcome or smoothly transition from these situations. Embracing and staying positive will make us move on and avoid over-dwelling on valuable lessons that we learn in life.
Staying positive is more beneficial in life. We have seen that there are more muscles involved in being happy than holding onto sadness. We have also learnt that moving forward is more crucial than holding onto whatever situations or lessons we learn or go through in life. So, let`s stay positive and make life easier by moving forward and planning ahead. More research is being conducted on the topic to make it easier for people to choose which one to embrace.
References:
Barbara Fredrickson (2009). The Pursuit of Happiness: Bringing the Science of Happiness to Life. Retrieved November 12, 2019 from https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/barb-fredrickson/
Brad (January 18, 2006). Muscles to Smile, Muscles to Frown. Blogspot.com. Retrieved November 12, 2019 from http://anatomynotes.blogspot.com/2006/01/muscles-to-smile-muscles-to-frown.html
Kate Sweeny (n.d.). The Downsides of Positivity. The British Psychological Society. Retrieved November 12, 2019 from https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-30/february-2017/downsides-positivity
Classmate # 2:
Thesis- The reason why children under the age of 13 should not have a smart phone.
Counterargument paragraph-
A great argument I have heard for this is that children need smart phones because of the tracing device, this would allow parents to tract their children anywhere they go. They can also view homework on there and take pictures of weekly school work that is required so they can view what they need to do and ensure that it gets done. An argument is that parents what to know exactly what their child is doing at all times.
Rebuttal Paragraph-
It may be true that phones have tracking devices installed on them, but kids these days have learned how to go around all of that. Also, there is a difference in a phone that has a tracking device and smartphones they keep with them 24/7 I think it is more important at such a young age that children are taught to be present in today’s times and in the moment. As far as homework this can be done online and on a computer. I go places all the time and see kids at such a young age who can’t even have a conversation because they are glued to their phones. So this raises the question.. Is there a difference is giving children a ‘smart phone’ or just a typical cell phone that can make calls…
Minimum 100 words answer to each
