Including Counter Arguments in Essays

When you include counterargument in your essays, you consider a possible argument against your thesis or a part of your reasoning; it allows you to anticipate doubts and objections that a sceptical reader might have. It must be a legitimate point though – don’t include one just for the sake of it.

You need to consider counterarguments before you write your essay; if there are too many counter arguments, it suggests that you haven’t proposed a very good argument!

How to counter-argue

Your counterargument has two parts: you acknowledge that there may be an objection to your idea and then you explain why that objection is wrong.

1. You could introduce the counterargument with a phrase like this:

• One might object here that…
• It might seem that…
• Admittedly, some readers might think…
• Of course, it could be argued that…

2. You state the case against yourself briefly but clearly, including evidence where possible.
3. You then turn back to your own argument using a signposting word such as but, yet, however, nevertheless or still and then carefully do one of the following:
4. refute the counterargument, showing why it is wrong.
5. acknowledge the validity or plausibility of the counterargument but suggest why it’s less important or less likely than what you propose and thus doesn’t overturn it.
6. concede the validity of the counterargument and adjust your idea accordingly. You may need to restate your thesis in a more exact, qualified, or nuanced way that takes account of the objection, or start a new section in which you consider your topic in light of it. This will work if the counterargument concerns only an aspect of your argument; if it undermines your whole case, you might need a new thesis!

Where to counter-argue

Counterargument can appear anywhere in the essay. For example, it can be:

• Part of your introduction, before you propose your thesis to show that the existence of a different view is the reason for your essay.
• A paragraph just after your introduction, in which you explain the expected reaction or general position before going on to develop your own.
• Within a paragraph, where you include a counterargument to the sub-idea that the paragraph is arguing or is about to argue.
• A paragraph just before the conclusion of your essay, in which you imagine what someone might object to about what you have argued.