Question

A counterargument is important in a persuasive essay because ...

• A. it increases credibility by showing that the author is unsure of his/her claim
• B. it increases the content of the essay and provides evidence for other points
• C. it increases credibility by showing that the author has considered opposing views
• D. it proves that the author is aware of supporting views for his point

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

it increases credibility by showing that the author has considered opposing views

A counterargument gives the author a chance to respond to the reader’s possible objections before they have finished reading. When a counterargument is presented, it means that the author has considered a possible argument against his/her stance or claim and then state why his/her original claim is still valid in the persuasive essay. It thus increases credibility and creates a proper stance to the author's opinions. Therefore C is the correct answer.

Whereas in option A it does not make sense to have increased credibility if one is not sure about his/her claim, in option B, the content and does not help much to develop counterargument but does need evidence to stage up something related to it, In option D the concerns are not just of the author's but readers' as well, therefore, it is necessary to state the opposing views.