The counterargument is a set of reasons that one put forward in order to deny or oppose a theory developed in some other argument.While we write an essay, we need to generate an argument while proposing a thesis based on reasoning, along with evidence to strengthen our thesis. While we counterargue we must expect a possible argument against our thesis or any aspect of it.
An ability to persuade your readers to think and see in our way is an essential skill in dissertation writing. And this can only be done if our essay is based upon facts and figures backed by strong reasoning which can only be done if our reasoning is persuasive. For example, if our argumentative assertion is that the sky over our head is blue than we should be aware that all of a sudden, an argument might arise that, no its either yellow or black, therefore, it is very important to identify and answer those opposing statements or counterarguments arising within your own essay. By doing this we can avail an opportunity to weaken those counterarguments.Let us consider a dialogue and then ask ourselves that who among the two effectively argue his point.
DIALOGUE 1:
Daughter: Mom, some of my friends have decided to go on a trip to hill station this Friday, and I also want to go with them, please. Is it okay?
Mom: With whom you want to go? I would like to be sure that there would be someone over eighteen along with your group.
Daughter: It is an official trip by our college and two of our professors would be there along with us on this trip.
Mom Sounds great. I know that the staff of your college is very competent. You and your friends will act responsibly. Have fun!
DIALOGUE 2:
Daughter: Mom, some of my friends have decided to go on a trip to hill station this Friday, and I also want to go with them, please. Is it okay?
Mom: With whom you want to go? I would like to be sure that there would be someone over eighteen along with your group.
Daughter: That hill station is not that far from our home. It is just a 2-hour drive and there will be a bunch of us there.
Dad: Well, who is going specifically? I need to know that someone who is legally responsible will be there.
Daughter: I assure you that we will be home before midnight. I can not wait to see that station! What is your thinking, Mom?
Dad: You are not answering about what I have questioned, so it looks like that you are going to spend Friday night with your parents. Lucky you!
The above-illustrated dialogue is a good example that how a counterargument brings the desired results to the individual and how an argument fails if you are not to the point of the opposing statements.
A counterargument can be placed anywhere you want in your essay, but the conclusion. It is because inclusion of any new information is not supposed to become part of the conclusion.It is supposed to be tied in with the points that have already been introduced. Moreover, counterarguments are discouraged to be seen in the middle of the essay because it is senseless to place in the middle of the main points. Therefore, most appropriate places for any counterargument are in the introduction, the immediate paragraph after introduction, or paragraph next to all of the main points.