Question

When placing a counterargument in a persuasive essay, it is best to do which of the following?

• A. state the opposing view and then refute it
• B. first refute and then state the opposing view
• C. refute and state the opposing view in the same sentence
• D. state the opposing view and refute it in the conclusion

Answer 1

The correct option is A state the opposing view and then refute it

When placing a counterargument in a persuasive essay, it is necessary to state the opposing views so that it facilitates the purpose of the writer's argument and supports the thesis statement along with evidence and details and then after stating the opposing views it is refuted. Option A serves the most suitable answer to the given question.

Whereas in option B, there is no point to refute first unless one explores the opposing views first, in option C refuting and stating the opposing sentence in the same sentence does not help as it needs a clear detail to stage it up, option D does not quite follow the pattern or the structure of the persuasive essay as counterarguments are expressed in the body paragraph and not in the conclusion. Therefore these options are incorrect.