Rebuttal

Joseph Reagle

Our question(s)

  • How to we rebut an argument?

Argument?

[an] argument is a claim or series of claims supported by evidence through reasoning

reasoning refers to the ability to make an inference or a judgment based on evidence (Gunn 2017, loc. 463)

Rebutting argument

Rebuttals critique the others’ reasoning and evidence underlying their claim.

You often rebut by: (1) restating claim, (2) expressing disagreement, (3) critique reasoning/evidence, and (4) conclude.

Challenging reasoning

  • Fallacious/inappropriate reasoning
    • False dichotomy (“we have other options than what you present”)
    • False cause (“that correlation doesn’t imply causation”)
    • Slippery slope (“it could happen, but is unlikely”)
    • Selection bias (“your case ignores contrary evidence”)
    • Unwarranted assumption (“your assuming X, which is wrong”)
    • Loaded language (“that’s an inflammatory way to put it”)
    • …

Challenging evidence

  • The evidence is
    • biased
    • from unreliable sources
    • insufficient to support the claim
    • actually in support of the counterclaim
    • …

e.g., Mobile phones

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