COUNTERCLAIMS
COUNTERCLAIMS
COUNTERCLAIMS
I. OBJECTIVES
A. Content Standard The learner understands the relationship of a
written text and context in which it was
developed.
B. Performance Standard The learner writes a 1000-word critique of a
selected text on the basis of its claim/s, context
and properties as a written material.
C. Learning Competency MELCs, Q3, Wks 3-4
The learner determines textual evidence to
validate counterclaims made about a text read.
D. Learning Objectives define what a counterclaim is and explain its
importance, and
write an argumentative essay.
II. CONTENT READING AND WRITING
Topic The Nature and Importance of Counterclaims
III. LEARNING RESOURCES
A. References Quipper Study Guide: Reading and Writing Skills
Unit 11: Counterclaims
B. Other Learning Resource
C. Learning Materials Presentation slides, activity sheets and copies of
Arts and Music Education in Learning Other
Skills
IV. INTEGRATION
A. Subject Integrated COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
Digital Technology
Topic
Expected Answers:
1. Basic Assertion
2. Emphatic Assertion
3. Confrontive Assertion
4. Positive Assertion
5. Escalating Assertion
6. I-Language Assertion
7. Positive Assertion
8. Positive Assertion
9. Basic Assertion
10. I-Language Assertion
Questions:
1. How did you identify that the given statement is empathic?
Expected Answer: When it expresses sympathy.
2. When can you say that the given is postive assertion?
Expected Answer: If the statement shows positive feeling or emotions.
3. What is your idea of assertion?
Expected Answer: A statement used to express strong belief.
B. Establishing a Purpose for the Lesson
Activity 2. Why are counterclaims an important part of productive discourse?
Let the students write their answers for a minute or two. Make sure to elicit responses
that tell the importance of counterclaims as part of productive discourse.
Example 1
Many think that people are the main cause of global warming, though there are others,
including scientists, who are skeptical about that statement. One of their counterclaims is
that there is no scientific evidence to prove that human activities are causing the planet to
heat up. According to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
a United Nations organization, there are no accurate means to represent changes in
climate.
Explanation:
As claims are often implicit in literary texts, counterclaims are implied, too. Writers
present such counterclaims through the use of different techniques. Below is an excerpt
from Mark Twain’s essay “Advice to Youth.” It uses satire, a technique of using humor to
show that a person, an institution, or a way of thinking is foolish, weak, or bad.
Example 2
Always obey your parents, when they are present. This is the best policy in the long run,
because if you don’t, they will make you. Most parents think they know better than you
do, and you can generally make more by humoring that superstition than you can by
acting on your own better judgment.
Explanation:
In the first sentence, Twain seems to claim that it is good to obey one’s parents always
when they are present. However, the next two sentences imply what he really meant, that
is, to make fun of blind obedience.
Readers formulate their own counterclaims in response to the claims that they read in a
text. The counterclaims express their disagreement with the stated claim and state a side
of the issue that they support.
To formulate meaningful counterclaims, a reader should look at a text with a critical eye.
The reader should consider the different sides of the issue that the author excludes from
his or her argument.
Read the paragraph below. Notice the main claim stated in the first sentence and the
reasons supporting it.
Homework gives children additional burden and does not significantly help in their
education. Doing homework often feels like a chore for children. It consumes much of
children’s free time, which they could use for doing other activities that will make them
well-rounded individuals. Excessive homework, on top of school projects and exams, may
cause children too much stress, and eventually, they may experience burnout.
In the given paragraph, the author makes a claim of fact. He or she supports it by citing a
cause and an effect:
● Cause: It consumes much of children’s free time, which they could use for doing other
activities that will make them well-rounded individuals. 8 Copyright © 2018 Quipper
Limited
● Effect: Excessive homework, on top of school projects and exams, may cause children
too much stress, and eventually, they may experience burnout.
Homework, the author asserts, gives children additional burden and does not significantly
help in their education. By saying so, the author overlooks the numerous benefits of doing
homework. Homework is an effective learning tool. Glenda Faye Pryor-Johnson, a writer of
Memphis Parent magazine, identifies responsibility and time management as two qualities
that children develop when they accomplish their homework. Children take responsibility
for their own learning; they review their lessons in class and solve problems on their own.
Also, they learn to manage their time and set their priorities. It is true that doing
homework could be time-consuming, but the hard work is all worth it. As a result, the
children grow up to be not only well-rounded individuals but also critical thinkers.
In the given paragraph, the author restates the previous claim in the first sentence and
points out the weakness of the claim in the second sentence. Then the author states the
counterclaim, which is another claim of fact, and supports it by citing an expert. Facts
and statistics do not show the whole picture.
To gain a different perspective on a claim of fact, you can do any of the following:
● Verify the cited source of the claim not only to see if it is true but also to see its
limitation. ● Check other sources that support the claim. Some or a few of the sources
may contain inconsistencies that you can use to disprove the claim.
Guided Questions:
Why is it important that your sources are up-to-date when making a counterclaim?
Answers may vary.
Why is it important to read the author’s claims and review his or her sources thoroughly?
Answers may vary.
Identify if the statements are counterclaims or not. If yes, write CC. If no, write NCC.
Briefly explain your answer in one to two sentences.
________ 1. The other team states that cosmetic surgery is harmful because it leads a
person to be ungrateful of his or her God-given traits. In opposition to that, our side
believes that cosmetic surgery is more beneficial to realize these God-given traits. (CC)
________ 2. Art is for everyone. One may not appreciate it as much as the other person,
but it should not be a reason to say that art is only for a certain group of people. Art can
be freely appreciated or not even by “non-art” people. (NCC)
________ 3. Their side claims that humor is not needed in learning. As a counterclaim for
this, research says that humor improves the retention of learners. (CC)
________ 4. Author X reiterates without a scientific basis that vaccines are dangerous and
deadly. But studies and reports from credible and reliable institutions show that vaccines
are greatly helpful in protecting a person from viruses and diseases. (CC)
________ 5. Lowering the age of criminal liability is a violation of children’s rights. It only
harms children and their holistic development. (NCC)
Activity 5: Divide the section into two. First group would have an answer of YES, the
second group is NO.
They will have a debate about, “Is digital technology making students’ life better?
I. Evaluating learning
Activity 6: Countering a Proposed Bill
1. Ask the students to go over the House Bills and Resolutions in the 18th Congress.
2. Tell them to choose one bill or resolution that they strongly disagree with.
3. Instruct them to write an argumentative essay that counters the claims and policies
included in the bill or resolution.