REBUTTAL
Most arguments
contain at least an element of answering charges by an opposing side. If nothing else, the writer must anticipate
potential objections from her readers and plan her argument accordingly.
Rebuttal, though,
is a somewhat special case. Here the
writer uses another person's argument to structure her own. She is directly replying to that
pre-existing argument, and she tries to disprove its main supporting points one
by one. (Think of Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail.) If she can knock out enough support, the
edifice of her opponent's argument will fall.
To a great
extent, rebuttal writing is easier than ordinary argument writing, since it
comes with a built-in structure.
There are things
to watch out for, though:
· Avoid fallacies (especially name-calling!); stay reasonable; don't
let the reader think you're taking unfair and unreasonable advantage of your
opponent.
· Don't just pick away at minor points and expect that you have
short-circuited your opponent's argument; an argument falls when its main
points are defeated.
· Remember to refer explicitly to statements in the original
argument that you are attacking (you can paraphrase them). Don't just take it for granted that the
reader has read the original argument.
Sample Structure:
I. Introduction
A. Lead-In
B. Presentation of Opposition Argument (Thesis)
C. Your Thesis--why, in general terms, your
opponent is wrong
II. Body
A. Any necessary background info., definition of
terms, etc.
B. Opposition's general good points
C. Opposition's specific problems
1. Her first supporting point
a. Presentation
b. Rebuttal
2. Her second supporting point
a. Presentation
b. Rebuttal
3. Her third supporting point
a. Presentation
b. Rebuttal
III. Conclusion
A. Summary statement of how opponent's argument
no longer holds up
B. Statement of your position, look to future,
etc.