- 17 Mar, 2021
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Essay
I want my paper to be against gun control
Topic: For this essay, your chosen topic needs to be one that has two sides (for and against). Then, find an article that argues for a side on the topic with which you do not agree. Why? Because, for this essay, you will respond to an article that argues the opposite viewpoint from what you believe.
Purpose: The rebuttal essay will require you to disarm (argue against) specific elements of an opponent’s argument, and in the process, argue for what you see as the “right” side of the issue, based upon credible research.
Description of Assignment: A rebuttal essay must show that the writer understands the original argument before attempting to counter it. You must read the original claim(s) of the chosen article carefully, paying close attention to the explanation and examples used to support the point. Then, you will rebut the claims.
A rebuttal can take several approaches when countering an argument, including addressing faulty assumptions, contradictions, unconvincing examples and errors in relating causes to effects. Countering does not only imply disproving a point entirely, but it can also mean showing that the opposing claim is inferior to your own claim or that it is in some way flawed and therefore not credible.
Examples of faulty assumptions: facts are wrong, the analysis is incorrect, or the values it is based on are not acceptable.
Reminder: You are directly responding to the argument presented in a single article, but will also use research (3-5 sources) to support your response to this article’s argument.
Parts of a Rebuttal Essay
Introductory paragraph: This is where you will give the reader context for your essay. In other words, use your introduction to give some background on the issue/debate. This will help those readers who are unfamiliar with the topic be able to understand your rebuttal. Then, you will want to introduce the article you will be arguing against, i.e. author’s full name, title of the piece, etc.
Thesis statement (this will be at the end of your introductory paragraph): Your thesis should directly oppose the thesis statement of the original work that you are countering. For example: While John Smith (2018) argued that the “most humane and beneficial way to test medicine for human illnesses is to first test it on animals” (para 8), scientists should not conduct testing on animals because it is inhumane.
Body Paragraphs: The body paragraphs of a rebuttal essay should address and counter the opposing argument point-by-point. In looking at the example in the thesis statement above, you will rebut at least 3 points/claims made by John Smith with which you disagree.
For your body paragraphs, you will want to focus on at least 3, specific claims to which you disagree and will counter. The following explains how you will do this for each claim that you are rebutting:
First, present the claim from the author/article argument; you can do this by using a paraphrase or a direct quote – – – be sure to follow APA.
Then, you will counter this claim by addressing the faulty assumptions, contradictions, unconvincing examples, and errors in the author’s argument. You will counter by doing the following:
Provide an analysis of the claim (Why is it inaccurate? Why is it faulty?).
Give your counter to the claim (be specific with your explanation as to why it is faulty).
Give specific examples that support your overall point. Be sure to bring in outside sources to support your claims as well.
Conclusion: The conclusion should revisit the main points of your rebuttal in relation to the article’s argument and main claims. Be sure to reinforce your argument against the article.
Source(s) Required: Use at least 3-5 sources that can support your rebuttals against the author’s claims.
Audience: You are writing to a target audience with comparable knowledge regarding the topic. You should identify and demonstrate an awareness of the target audience based upon the topic selection.
Format: 3-5 double-spaced pages, not including title page and reference page, using APA documentation style.