Opposing Viewpoint Definition
What is the opposing viewpoints meaning? An opposing viewpoint is a point of view that is the opposite of, or contrary to, one’s own viewpoint. For example, one person’s point of view may be that no homework should be assigned in school. The opposing viewpoint would be that homework should be assigned in school. In essays, viewpoints and opposing viewpoints must be backed up by arguments and opposing arguments/counterarguments. An argument is a reason that supports a viewpoint, whereas an opposing argument/counterargument is a reason that supports an opposing viewpoint. In an essay, the role of the opposing arguments is to strengthen the viewpoint by displaying that the opposing arguments have no merit. This application is achieved through the use of a rebuttal. A rebuttal is a section of the essay that follows each opposing argument and proves the opposing arguments to be false.
How to Refute Opposing Arguments
The word “refute” means to prove something to be false or incorrect. When including opposing viewpoints in an essay, the viewpoints also need to be refuted. That is to say, the writer acknowledges that other viewpoints exist and explains why those other viewpoints are incorrect. The refutation or rebuttal is necessary for a strong, compelling argument. First, the writer should compile a list of arguments for and against the topic. Then they should research both sides of the argument.
Research Both Opposing Viewpoints
The first step in planning an essay is to draft a thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main point that is being presented in the essay. For an argumentative/persuasive essay, the thesis should state the writer’s viewpoint on a topic. The next step is to brainstorm a list of supporting arguments reinforcing the writer’s viewpoint. Usually, this step is relatively easy since the writer likely already has an opinion on the topic. However, this is a necessary step that will help the writer determine the strength of their arguments. To effectively persuade the reader, the arguments must be stronger than the opposing arguments.
Next, the writer should do research and gather evidence that supports their point of view. Going back to the homework example, one supporting argument may be that doing difficult schoolwork without the teacher’s guidance is ineffective. Is this really true, though? It is not enough to suppose it to be true. Remember, a writer must keep their audience in mind. The reader may already know about the topic, and it would be detrimental to the writer’s argument to present untrue information. Likewise, the reader may already hold an opposing viewpoint on the topic, in which case the writer will need to make a very compelling argument. To do so, the writer must first have all the facts.
The next step in drafting the essay is to brainstorm a list of several opposing arguments that support the opposing viewpoint. If this is a difficult task, researching the opposing viewpoint can be a useful method for gathering opposing arguments. Returning to the homework example, the writer should brainstorm or look up arguments that support the opposing viewpoint that homework should be assigned. One opposing argument could be that doing homework activities in school takes away from instruction time. Another might be that home allows students to practice what they have learned.
After compiling a list of opposing arguments, once again, research to gather evidence. This time, however, gather evidence that contradicts or disproves the opposing arguments. Maybe the research shows that it is more beneficial to devote only half of a class period to instruction or that students have difficulty practicing the concepts they have learned in class in a home environment.
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Anticipate Opposing Arguments
How does anticipation help a persuasive argument? To answer the question of why is anticipation a useful persuasive technique, it is important to acknowledge opposing viewpoints when writing a persuasive or rebuttal essay. In these types of essays, the writer tries to convince the reader to adopt the writer’s point of view. Why, then, should the writer even acknowledge that other viewpoints exist? Wouldn’t that make the writer’s argument weaker? The purpose of including opposing viewpoints is to make the writer’s argument stronger. A writer should always keep their audience in mind during the writing process and realize that the reader may already hold an opposing viewpoint. The writer’s argument becomes stronger when the writer first acknowledges that opposing viewpoints exist and then dismantles them. Anticipation is a useful persuasive technique.
There are two ways to incorporate an opposing viewpoint into the essay. The first way is the point-by-point method; the arguments and opposing arguments must correspond to each other. Look over the list of arguments and opposing arguments to see if they can be matched up. For example, consider the essay arguing that there should be no homework assigned in schools. The argument that doing homework takes time away from extracurricular activities could be matched to the argument that a good education will better serve students in the future than extracurricular activities will.
To draft the essay using the point-by-point method, address each of the matched-up arguments in separate body paragraphs. So, one of the body paragraphs would first argue that homework takes time away from extracurricular activities. Then, acknowledge the opposing argument by saying something like, “Some might argue that a student’s time is better spent doing something educational rather than recreational because a good education will better serve the student in the future.” Last, incorporate the research that disproves the opposing argument: “However, studies show that extracurricular activities are beneficial to children’s development. According to….”
The other method to incorporate an opposing viewpoint, the block method, devotes the opposing viewpoint to a separate paragraph entirely; this is the method to use if the arguments and counterarguments do not easily match up. The arguments that support the writer’s viewpoint are arranged in the body paragraphs, one argument per paragraph to use this method. The research that supports the arguments should also be included following each argument.
The last body paragraph of the essay is devoted to the opposing viewpoint. All of the opposing arguments go within this paragraph. Signal that this paragraph contains the opposing viewpoint by using a transitional phrase: “Some people might argue that…”; “Opponents of this idea might say that…; or “There are those that think….” Provide each opposing argument followed by the research that disproves it, one at a time.
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Examples of Opposing Viewpoints in a Rebuttal Essay
Using the homework example, here are two ways to structure an essay to illustrate opposing viewpoints examples. The viewpoint is “Schools should no longer assign homework to be done outside of class.” The opposing viewpoint is “Schools should continue to assign homework outside of class.”
THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD:
Introduction:
- Begin with something (a relevant question, quote, fact, or anecdote) to get the reader’s attention: “Kids hate it, parents stress over it, and dogs like to eat it. Homework is a nuisance to everyone that encounters it.”
- State the viewpoint in the thesis statement: “Schools should no longer allow teachers to assign homework.”
Body Paragraph 1:
- State the first supporting argument: “Doing homework outside of school may prevent or impact students’ extracurricular activities.
- Provide research that supports the argument: According to several studies…”
- Transition to the first matching opposing argument: “Some might argue that a student’s time is better spent doing something educational rather than recreational because a good education will better serve the student in the future.”
- Provide research that disproves the opposing argument: “However, studies show that extracurricular activities are beneficial to children’s development. According to….”
Body Paragraph 2:
- State the second supporting argument.
- Provide research that supports the argument.
- Transition to the second matching opposing argument.
- Provide research that disproves the opposing argument.
Body paragraph 3:
- State the third supporting argument.
- Provide research that supports the argument.
- Transition to the third matching opposing argument.
- Provide research that disproves the opposing argument.
Conclusion:
- Restate the thesis: “All in all, homework is an ineffective and detrimental learning tool that should be banned from schools.”
- Summarize the main points.
- End with a final thought on the topic: Everyone (students, parents, and teachers) would be much better off without homework.
THE BLOCK METHOD
Introduction:
- Begin with something (a relevant quote, fact, or anecdote) to get the reader’s attention: “Kids hate it, parents stress over it, and dogs like to eat it. Homework is a nuisance to everyone that encounters it.”
- State the viewpoint in the thesis statement: “Schools should no longer allow teachers to assign homework.”
Body Paragraph 1:
- State the first supporting argument: “Doing homework outside of school may prevent students from doing extracurricular activities.
- Provide research that supports the argument: “Several studies show…”
Body Paragraph 2:
- State the second supporting argument.
- Provide research that supports the argument.
Body paragraph 3:
- State the third supporting argument.
- Provide research that supports the argument.
Body Paragraph 4:
- Transition to the first opposing argument: “Some might argue that a student’s time is better spent doing something educational rather than recreational because a good education will better serve the student in the future.”
- Provide research that disproves the opposing argument: “However, studies show that extracurricular activities are beneficial to children’s development. According to….”
- Transition to the second opposing argument: “Another argument opponents have…”
- Provide research that disproves the opposing argument: “Despite this argument, research demonstrates that…”
- Transition to the third opposing argument: “Still, there are those who say…”
- Provide research that disproves the opposing argument: “Actually, the opposite is true. Multiple studies have shown…”
Conclusion:
- Restate the thesis: “All in all, homework is an ineffective and detrimental learning tool that should be banned from schools.”
- Summarize the main points.
- End with a final thought on the topic: Everyone (students, parents, and teachers) would be much better off without homework.
Lesson Summary
An opposing viewpoint is a point of view contrary to one’s own point of view. Students are often instructed to refute, or disprove, opposing viewpoints in persuasive or argumentative essays. The first prewriting action the student should take for an essay of this sort is to make a list of supporting arguments that bolster the student’s viewpoint and the second list of opposing arguments that refute the student’s viewpoint and support the opposing viewpoint. The next step is to research the supporting and opposing arguments. Find research that proves the supporting arguments and research that disproves the opposing arguments. When creating an outline of the essay, choose the point-by-point method or the block method. The point-by-point method only works when all supporting arguments can be matched up to the opposing arguments. If the supporting and opposing arguments all relate to different topics, use the block method. Anticipating and refuting opposing arguments within a persuasive or argumentative essay is a useful persuasive technique.