Mr.

Bourgoin

9H English

Studentswillbeabletoscoreabovean85basedonobjectivelearningstandardsfor
theircounterclaimparagraphs.

(Minilesson)

Iwillintroducethelessonbyhandingbacktheearlydraftsofthecounterclaimparagraphsthat
thestudentsweresupposetowrite.Iwillexplain,firstofall,thatthereisnothingtopanicabout,
asthesegradesarentsaveduntiltheyare85sorbetter.

Iwillhandouttheworksheetthatisattachedinthisemail.Iwilltellstudentsthatacommon
problemonthispartoftheessaywasthefactthattheydidnottrytoturnanargumentaround
andmakeittheopposite,whichisaveryimportantskillwhenwritingpersuasivepapers,but
theyjustmadea3rdclaimparagraphthatarguedtheirsidewithoutanysortofcounterand
entertainmentoftheotherside.Iwillhaveastudentreadaloudthecounterclaimexampleand
haveanotherstudentreadaloudtheclaim#3example.

Iwillthenhavethestudentsgoquestionbyquestioninathink,pair,shareactivity.Iwillhave
studentsanswerquestionbyquestionsilently,thendiscuss.Eachquestionwillbediscussedas
alargegroupaftertherearethink,pairs,andshares.

Iwillthenreadsomestudentexamplesofwhatacounterclaimshouldlooklikeandaskwhy
theselookgood.

Iwillreassignthecounterclaimtobeduethenextday.Theywillworkoffthislessonandmy
edits.

Mr. Bourgoin

9H English
COUNTERCLAIM TAKE 2 WORKSHEET

Example of an actual counterclaim paragraph

While it seems that Odysseus may seem arrogant and childish when escaping the Cyclopss
cave, he is still a hero. After being trapped in the Polyphemuss cave, Odysseus and his men
escape after blinding the cyclops and escaping to their ship. However, once the men acquire
a safe amount of distance away from the cyclops, Odysseus decides to start taunting the
cyclops. He says, Cyclops, / if ever mortal man inquire / how you were put to shame and
blinded, tell him / Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: / Laertes son, whose homes on
Ithica! (l. 457 460). Odysseus starts yelling at the cyclops about how he should spread
Odysseuss name throughout the land as a hero. Odysseus taunts the cyclops and reminds him
how he blinded the monster, and after this, tells the monster where there destination is.
While this may seem to be very immature, arrogant, and lack any good judgement, Odysseus
is both proud of his mens escape and is also emotionally fueled from losing his men to the
monster. Odysseus saved all his men and feels the right to let the world know about his
deeds. Beyond this, Odysseus has just lost his men to the monster, therefore, his taunting is
validated since this monster has been even more cruel than Odysseuss words are. For all of
this, even though Odysseus may have not been the best example, his actions are validated,
and he is therefore a hero.

Example of a claim statement #3

While it seems that Odysseus may seem arrogant and childish when escaping the Cyclopss
cave, he is still a hero. Odysseus and his men realize that they are trapped in Plyphemuss
cave. In order to escape, Odysseus has to think quickly. When Polyphemus asks his name,
Odysseus says, insert quote here where he says Nohbdy (l. 201 203). When Polyphemus
asks for Odysseuss name, Odysseus says a name that sounds exactly like, no body. This is
very tactical and smart, for if and when Polyphemus gets trapped by Odysseuss plans, he will
shout to the other cyclopes, nobody has hurt me, therefore making it that no one comes to
the rescue, since no threat is imminent. Odysseuss wits make him a hero, and even though
hes arrogant later on in this part of the story, hes still a hero.

Mr. Bourgoin

9H English

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

What is similar between the two paragraphs?

Try to cite a line that makes the 2nd attempt for a counterclaim just a 3rd regular claim
statement.

What does the line not accomplish when looking at the counterclaim criteria?

Now take a look at your paragraph. Does your paragraph discuss a third claim from The
Odyssey, or do you try to turn an argument around like the counterclaim criteria states?

Why or why not?