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Year 8 · English · Writing to argue · Lesson 2

Counter-arguments and formal tone

Writing to argue: counter-arguments, concessions and rebuttals, choosing connectives, and using a formal, confident tone.

Whiteboard video lesson: Counter-arguments and formal tone

19-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Write a counter-argument and rebuttal
  • Use concession
  • Choose connectives by purpose
  • Write in formal tone
  • Use modal verbs confidently

The method

  1. Introduce the counter-argument.
  2. Concede a fair point.
  3. Rebut with a reason.
  4. Keep a formal, calm tone.

Key words: counter-argument, rebuttal, concession, connective, formal tone, modal verb, slang.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

What is a counter-argument?

  1. Step 1: The opposing view

Answer: The opposite side's view

Question 2

What is a rebuttal?

  1. Step 1: Your answer to the counter-argument

Answer: Your reply showing why the opposing view is weaker

Question 3

What is a concession?

  1. Step 1: Admitting the other side has a fair point

Answer: Admitting part of the other view is fair