Countering moves and sentence frames

COUNTERING MOVES

Here are some ways you can take an opposing claim and argue against it.  You can….

·         Point out problems or errors with the evidence used by the other side.

·         Point out limitations of the evidence used by the other side by talking about what it doesn’t show, prove, or take into account.

·         Acknowledge the data or evidence the other side presents, but offer an alternative way of interpreting that evidence.

·         Identify holes in the thinking or logic of the other side’s argument.

·         Make a concession—allow that the other side has a point, but that there are still problems or short-comings with that argument.

·         Point out the problems or limitations of the examples used by the other side—and provide a better example.

·         Offer a different way of interpreting the opposition’s evidence.

·         Give evidence that disproves the opposition’s point.  Discuss a study or data that suggests something different than what the opposition claims.

·         Include a quote from an expert or a voice of authority that contradicts the opposition.

·         Acknowledge the opposition’s point but suggest that it misses the bigger picture or the more important point or issue.

Countering sentence frames

While it may be true that _________________, that doesn’t necessarily mean that _______________.

While it may be true that ________________, we also must remember that ____________________.

It’s easy to think ______________________.  However, when you look at the facts                                  .

While _____________ provides evidence that ____________________, research conducted by

____________________ is more convincing.  Then go onto discuss that study/evidence/data.

The problem with this example is _________________________.  A better example or way to look at this would be__________________________.

Someone who has extensive knowledge in __________________ is ________________.  They said/noted, “_______________________________.”  This shows that _____________________.

This claim rests on the questionable assumption that ________________________________.

(The author) contradicts himself, saying ___________________________ while also saying ______________________________.

By focusing on _________________________,  she overlooks the deeper or more important issue of ___________________________.