a good counter argument for an essay

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How to Write Effective Counterarguments

by Kayla Beebout · Published June 7, 2024 · Updated June 6, 2024

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Some of the most common questions writers have when starting an argumentative essay are, “Why—and how—am I supposed to address counterarguments?” Counterarguments, also called rival hypotheses, are opinions that contradict an essay’s thesis. So why talk about them? Well, Nussbaum and Schraw (2007) called argument and counterargument “a jigsaw puzzle” (p. 60). Puzzles are not complete without every piece in the box. If an argumentative essay is a puzzle, it will be missing something without counterarguments.

How do writers find and organize these puzzle pieces? First, it is important to find quality research. Al Bulushi (2022) suggested counterarguments work best when taken from sources with an opposing point of view. For example, writers arguing that dogs make better pets than lizards should not cite a counterargument discussed by someone who also prefers dogs. Instead, they should look for authors who prefer lizards. The Purdue Global Library has an extensive online database of scholarly books and articles, which can be a good place to find research.

The next issue to tackle is where to place a counterargument. One of the most common areas is right before the conclusion. The Harvard College Writing Center (n.d.) said this can be a good way to address a reader’s doubts after they have digested the rest of the argument. However, as they also argued, counterarguments can be placed anywhere. As always, we at the Purdue Global Writing Center advise reviewing assignment directions and rubrics for guidance, but a paragraph before the conclusion can be a good default if it is difficult to determine where to start.

Once a writer collects sources and decides where to place them, it is time to write. It is important to present opposing opinions fairly by acknowledging they may have a point (The Writing Center, n.d.). After all, counterarguments are not meant to claim there is only one answer to a question or problem. Instead, they demonstrate that one of many answers may be more effective—and why. Providing a fair analysis of other opinions will show that the writer has thought through other perspectives before arguing their own.

Fair analysis also means not dismissing or attacking others’ views. This is an easy mistake to make. Even if a writer acknowledges that other opinions have merit, using a dismissive tone will cause readers to be less open to the essay’s thesis. Argumentative essays are supposed to remain scholarly and unbiased at all times so they retain credibility.

Credibility also involves using the correct interpretation of source materials. When citing research, do not refute something the author did not say. This means writers need to fully understand counterarguments so they do not misrepresent opposing views. An essay that misunderstands its research is going to lose readers’ interest quickly.

Now, it is time to put all of this into practice. Here are some examples of effective and ineffective counterarguments using fictional sources about whether pineapple belongs on pizza.

Effective: Critics may argue that pineapple is too sweet to use as a pizza topping. As Smith (2020) stated, pizza is designed to be a meal, meaning that it should be savory. Most meals consist of savory food. Hamburgers, pasta, and sandwiches are generally considered savory. However, combining sweet and savory flavors can add interest to a meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, for example, have both of these components. Discarding pineapples based on their sweetness alone could cause pizza enthusiasts to go without a potentially taste-broadening experience.

This counterargument is effective because it cites an opposing opinion, admits that it may have merit, and presents an argument that the essay’s thesis is still more valuable.

Ineffective: Some authors maintain that pineapple does belong on pizza due to its addition of sweetness to a taste profile. Richards (2022) used peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as another example of this flavor combination and called pineapple on pizza a “taste-broadening experience” (p. 7). Although this can be true, pineapple on pizza is very different from peanut butter and jelly, so this comparison is ridiculous.

This counterargument discussion started well. The writer talked about an alternate opinion and cited research. They even admitted the point about sweet and savory combinations could be valid. However, once the writer called the source “ridiculous,” they veered into attack rather than unbiased analysis.

Ineffective: Aesthetic or textural concerns regarding pineapple could be part of connoisseurs’ aversion to it. Smith (2020) argued that pizza consumption should be a “smooth, well-rounded tasting experience” (p. 10), which pineapple can disrupt. Pineapples do not change the shape of a pizza, and they are no less smooth than other common pizza toppings like sausage. Therefore, pineapple does not seem to disrupt normal textural and aesthetic experiences.

This passage does not interpret source material correctly. The writer has taken the adjectives “smooth” and “well-rounded” literally, thinking Smith wants pizzas to be round in shape and smooth in texture. However, since the word “tasting” is in the quote, Smith likely was writing figuratively to argue unexpected or jarring flavors do not belong in a pizza.

These examples will hopefully make counterargument skills seem more concrete. But are these skills useful in other contexts? Counterarguments are important outside the classroom as well. Knowing how to consider other points of view makes it easier to live in a diverse world (Al Bulushi, 2022). People have different opinions all the time. Considering them with an open mind opens doors to conversations instead of arguments, which seems like a great way to handle awkward family political discussions as well as problem and solution papers!

Al Bulushi, Z. (2022). Source choice and use in counterargument writing. TESOL Journal , 13 (2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.646

Harvard College Writing Center (n.d.). Counterargument . Harvard University. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/counterargument

Nussbaum, E. M., & Schraw, G. (2007). Promoting argument-counterargument integration in students’ writing. Journal of Experimental Education , 76 (1), 59–92. https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.76.1.59-92

The Writing Center (n.d.). All about counterarguments . George Mason University. https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/general-writing-practices/all-about-counterarguments

The Study Blog : Tips

8 counter argument examples to help you write a strong essay.

By Evans Oct 26, 2020

A one-sided essay is like a beautiful dish with no flavor. Everyone looks at it, but nobody wants to partake of it. An essay presenting one side of a debate shows that you are not reasonable. Instead of persuading your readers, it ends up feeling like you’re just forcing an opinion on them. How do you change this? How do you make your essay interesting and persuasive? Counter argument! You heard me right. Using the counter argument is one of the best ways that you can strengthen your essay.

8 Counter argument examples to help you write a strong essay

Before we proceed further, what exactly is a counter-argument? An academic essay means that you need to come up with a thesis, a strong one at that, and even stronger points that support that particular thesis . You also need to come up with an argument that opposes your thesis. This is what we call a counter-argument. It is basically, an argument that is against your thesis.

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What is the purpose of a counter-argument?

When writing an essay, especially to persuade, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your readers. What are they likely to think about your thesis? How can they possibly argue against it? What questions might they have against the idea you are trying to sell to them? A counter-argument allows you to creatively and wisely respond to these questions. A counter-argument clears any doubts that your reader may have on your argument. It also shows them that you are the bigger person by actually addressing arguments against your thesis.

Counter argument examples

Let’s say your argument is about getting the patient to consent to it, rather than have the doctors decide on it.

A reader might argue: a patient may be too sickly to even consent for euthanasia.

Refutal: you can refute the counter-argument by proving that it is possible to get a patient in the right frame long enough to sign the consent form.

Overprotective parents

Argument: overprotective parents often treat their grown-up children like babies. As a result, these children grow to be very dependent on the parents and unable to make decisions on their own.

Counter-argument: parents have seen more than their children. Protecting them from the problems they encountered saves the children from getting hurt.

Refutal: Though parents think that shielding their grown children protects them from the dangerous world, they only end up protecting children from living. As a result, if such a child makes a mistake, it might be very hard for them to recover from it.

Getting a dog as a pet for young children

Argument: getting a dog as a pet for younger children is not a very good idea as children may not understand how to take care of the dog.

Counter-argument: having a pet teaches the children responsibility.

Rebuttal: While it is true that having a pet can teach kids how to become more responsible, the fact remains that taking care of a pet is a full-time job. A pet is not like a toy that you can discard when tired of it. Young kids may not have the stamina or the time to take care of a pet.

Exposure to technology

Argument: Technology provides children with an amazing learning experience. Children who have been exposed to technology learn pretty first how to deal and respond to different situations better than students who have no exposure to technology.

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Counter argument: early exposure to entertainment and violence affects the cognitive skills of a child.

Rebuttal: Although some form of technology may affect the cognitive skills of a child, it doesn’t mean that children should be kept away from technology. There are learning programs that provide a better learning experience as compared to formal education. Doing away with technology is not the answer. The answer is controlling what children are exposed to.

Argument: taking part in elections is not only a right but a responsibility that every citizen should participate in.

Counter-argument: It is better not to vote than vote in a corrupt person.

Rebuttal: While you might feel like not taking part in the voting process keeps you from the guilt of choosing the wrong person, the truth is that you only give other people the right to choose for you. This means that if a corrupt person gets in, you’re still responsible for not voting for a better candidate.

Argument: Smoking should not be allowed on campuses.

Counter-argument: smoking is not illegal, especially to someone above 18 years old. Since it is not illegal, students should be allowed to smoke within the campus vicinity.

Rebuttal: indeed, smoking is not illegal. However, smoking on campus can prove to be fatal especially to students with health issues such as asthma. It is widely known that smoking affects not just the person holding the cigar but everyone else around them. Therefore, to keep students safe, smoking should not be allowed on campus.

Animal testing

Argument: animals should not be used as test subjects.

Counter-argument: animals happen to be the best test method for health products

Rebuttal: While it is true that over the years animals have been used as test subjects, it doesn’t change the fact that these tests often subject animals to excruciating pain. Research shows that there are better alternatives that can be used, thereby saving animals from unnecessary pain.

Cyberbullying

Argument: Cyberbullying is a serious issue and therefore it is very important to understand how to protect yourself from cyberbullies.

Counter-argument: the victims do not need to learn how to protect themselves and use the internet fearfully. The internet should be made secure for every user and all cyberbullying should be put to jail.

Rebuttal: nobody deserves to be afraid while using the internet. However, while it is a very good idea to have all cyberbullies jailed, that remains to be just a dream. This is because almost everyone can be a cyber-bully at one point or another. It, therefore, remains your responsibility to protect yourself and also learn how to handle cyberbullying.

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Final thoughts

As the examples show, a good persuasive essay should contain your thesis statement , a counter-argument, and a rebuttal of the counter-argument. This makes your essay strong, very persuasive, and with a very good flavor.

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