1.      Is there a topic sentence which gives a general statement about the topic? 

2.      Does the topic sentence give an opposing view to the position? 

3.      Are there supporting sentences which logically link and develop the topic sentence? 

4.      Are there at least two citations which have been correctly formatted? 

5.      Are there any linking words: E.g. However, for example, moreover, furthermore, in summary etc.? 

6.      Is there a summary sentence at the end?  

Many people claim that basing medical end-of-life decisions on patient consent may lead to abuse, since many terminally ill patients are depressed, and, therefore, unable to make sound decisions on matters of such significance. While it is true that such patients may have a greater tendency to depression, we cannot justifiably assume all patients are depressed, or that depression, even when present, prevents a patient from consenting in a balanced and acceptable way. Depression is generally manageable nowadays, and a medical diagnosis can determine when a person is incapable of making such a decision. The issue of depression, therefore, should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and not be a reason for prohibiting choice in general. 

1.      How do you know that this paragraph is a counter argument? 

2.      Find the rebuttal/refutation sentence 

3.      The rebuttal/refutation sentences have two clauses divided by a comma. Which clause rejects/rebuts the counter argument and which clause acknowledges the points made in the counter argument? 

4.      Which phrases are used to acknowledge the counter argument and which phrases are used to rejects/rebuts the counter argument? 

Create a rebuttal/refutation using the Refutation language 

1. There should be road signs indicating the presence of speed cameras.

    There should not be road signs indicating the presence of speed cameras.

2.  Small children should not be smacked; they should understand why something is wrong.

     Small children sometimes need to be smacked: that is how they develop a sense of right and wrong.

3.  One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter.

     A terrorist is someone who kills or injures innocent people, regardless of why they do it.

4.  The government needs to encourage people to travel by train.

     It’s a waste of time and money trying to persuade people to travel by train instead of by car.

5.  The death penalty should be abolished all over the world.

     The death penalty is necessary for the protection of society.

6.  Motorists should be charged for using the motorways.

     It is society’s job to build and maintain the motorways.

7.  Soft drugs should be decriminalised.

     Soft drugs should not be decriminalised.

2. It is arguable that death penalty must be put to an end throughout the world but it is also important to protect the society with such judicial execution.

3. Sometimes it is vital for the motor ways authority to charge the motorist for using the service, however said that it is equally the societies responsibility to build and maintain the motorways.