Rhetoric and clarity of expression: counter arguments

In this lesson, we will work on improving our rhetorical skills and our clarity of expression, with a particular emphasis on building an effective counterargument.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.You should usually have a main clause before a colon (even when introducing a list).

truefalse

1/5

Q2.Which of the statements below is true?

You need a capital letter after a semicolon if the first word is a proper noun.You need a capital letter after a semicolon if it is the start of a new clause.You always need a capital letter after a semicolon.

2/5

Q3.Which of these is false?

All sentences need a subject and and an adjective.A complete sentence contains a subject, object and predicate.

3/5

Q4.The rhetorical appeal "appeal to logic (use facts and reason)" matches to which of the following?

ethoslogospathos

4/5

Q5.The rhetorical appeal "appeal to emotions (target the thoughts and feelings of the audience)" matches to which of the following?

ethoslogospathos

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.You should usually have a main clause before a colon (even when introducing a list).

truefalse

1/5

Q2.Which of the statements below is true?

2/5

Q3.Which of these is false?

All sentences need a subject and and an adjective.A complete sentence contains a subject, object and predicate.

3/5

Q4.The rhetorical appeal "appeal to logic (use facts and reason)" matches to which of the following?

ethoslogospathos

4/5

Q5.The rhetorical appeal "appeal to emotions (target the thoughts and feelings of the audience)" matches to which of the following?

ethoslogospathos

5/5

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

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Quiz:

Counterarguments: Quiz

Thank you for your focus today. Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Q1.What is a counterargument?

A counterargument is when you debate over your favourite kitchen unit.A counterargument is when you reject or refute another person's argument.

1/11

Q2.Ethos (the appeal ethics)…

aims to use facts and reason to convince your audience.aims to convince the audience of your character.appeal to emotions (target aims to target the thoughts and feelings of the audience.

2/11

Q3.Logos (the appeal to logic)…

aims to use facts and reason to convince your audience.aims to convince the audience of your character.appeal to emotions (target aims to target the thoughts and feelings of the audience.

3/11

Q4.Pathos (the appeal to emotions)…

aims to use facts and reason to convince your audience.aims to convince the audience of your character.appeal to emotions (target aims to target the thoughts and feelings of the audience.

4/11

Q5.Why might you consider the counterargument when writing persuasively?

demonstrate the writer’s credibility and judgementshow awareness of evidenceavoid ignorant sweeping statements to make the argument seem more reasonableallows you to reject or refute opposing views, challenging what your reader might be thinkingto confuse your readerto help you decide what you think

5/11

Q6.The writer speaking directly to (or at) the reader through words such as “you” is ...

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

6/11

Q7.Using visually descriptive or figurative language such as simile, metaphor or personification is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

7/11

Q8.A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

8/11

Q9.Using certain word choices are made to evoke an emotional response is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

9/11

Q10.How the attitude of a writer comes across through their language choices is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

10/11

Q11.What should you do to respond to a counterargument?

acknowledge the counterargumentsubtly suggest the counterargument is wrongcall your opponent's idea stupidoffer evidence that the counterargument is weakuse rhetoric to convince the readerrestate your viewpointwrite "THIS IDEA IS WRONG" in capital letters.

11/11

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Counterarguments: Quiz

Thank you for your focus today. Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Q1.What is a counterargument?

A counterargument is when you debate over your favourite kitchen unit.A counterargument is when you reject or refute another person's argument.

1/11

Q2.Ethos (the appeal ethics)…

aims to use facts and reason to convince your audience.aims to convince the audience of your character.appeal to emotions (target aims to target the thoughts and feelings of the audience.

2/11

Q3.Logos (the appeal to logic)…

aims to use facts and reason to convince your audience.aims to convince the audience of your character.appeal to emotions (target aims to target the thoughts and feelings of the audience.

3/11

Q4.Pathos (the appeal to emotions)…

aims to use facts and reason to convince your audience.aims to convince the audience of your character.appeal to emotions (target aims to target the thoughts and feelings of the audience.

4/11

Q5.Why might you consider the counterargument when writing persuasively?

5/11

Q6.The writer speaking directly to (or at) the reader through words such as “you” is ...

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

6/11

Q7.Using visually descriptive or figurative language such as simile, metaphor or personification is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

7/11

Q8.A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

8/11

Q9.Using certain word choices are made to evoke an emotional response is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

9/11

Q10.How the attitude of a writer comes across through their language choices is …

direct address.imagery.rhetorical question.emotive language.tone.

10/11

Q11.What should you do to respond to a counterargument?

11/11

Lesson summary: Rhetoric and clarity of expression: counter arguments

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Rhetoric and clarity of expression: counter arguments

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Counterarguments: Quiz

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Counterarguments: Quiz

Lesson summary: Rhetoric and clarity of expression: counter arguments

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Grammar for Writing is: Mastering confused words

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Grammar for Writing
is:
Mastering confused words