PERSUASIVE ESSAY

COUNTERARGUMENT
ASSIGNMENT – Grade 12 Term 1

Task 1
Instructions: Read each statement and choose the best counterargument from the
options provided.
1. Statement: "Banning plastic bags will significantly reduce environmental
pollution."
o a) Plastic bags are a convenient option for shoppers.
o b) Banning plastic bags will hurt the economy.
o c) Plastic bags make up only a small fraction of overall waste.
o d) People should recycle more.
2. Statement: "Electric cars are more environmentally friendly than gasoline
cars."
o a) Electric cars are more expensive to purchase.
o b) Gasoline cars have better mileage.
o c) The production of electric car batteries has a significant environmental
impact.
o d) Electric cars are quieter.
3. Statement: "Uniforms should be mandatory in schools to promote equality."
o a) Some students find uniforms uncomfortable.
o b) Uniforms are expensive to buy.
o c) Uniforms stifle individual expression and creativity.
o d) Not all schools can afford uniforms.
4. Statement: "Social media helps people stay connected and build relationships."
o a) Social media can lead to decreased face-to-face interactions and social
isolation.
o b) Not everyone uses social media.
o c) People spend too much time on their phones.
o d) Social media has privacy issues.
5. Statement: "Standardized tests are a fair way to assess students' abilities."
o a) Some students have test anxiety which affects their performance.
o b) Standardized tests are easy to grade.
o c) Schools use standardized tests for funding decisions.
o d) Standardized tests cover a broad range of subjects.
6. Statement: "College education should be free for everyone."
o a) Free college education would increase taxes.
o b) Many people want to attend college.
o c) Some students prefer vocational training.
o d) College education is important for career success.
7. Statement: "Homework improves students' academic performance."
o a) Homework takes time away from extracurricular activities.
o b) Teachers assign too much homework.
o c) Some students don't do their homework.
o d) Homework reinforces what students learn in class.
8. Statement: "Animal testing is necessary for scientific research."
o a) Many people are against animal testing.
o b) There are alternative methods that do not involve animals and can
provide accurate results.
o c) Animal testing is a traditional practice.
o d) Some animals are bred specifically for testing purposes.
9. Statement: "The government should invest more in renewable energy sources."
o a) Renewable energy technology is still developing.
o b) Fossil fuels are abundant and cheaper.
o c) Renewable energy can create new jobs.
o d) Some people do not support renewable energy.
10.Statement: "Physical education should be mandatory in schools."
o a) Some students do not like sports.
o b) Physical education promotes a healthy lifestyle.
o c) Mandatory physical education can take time away from academic
subjects.
o d) Schools need more gym equipment.

Task 2
Instructions: Read the following statements. Identify a possible counterargument
for each statement.
1. Statement: "Homework is essential for reinforcing what students learn in
school."
o Counterargument: There are any other options to give the students
exercise on the learning material at school. Homework should not be a
force for them, because students need more time to rest at home.
Learning should be enjoyable and no pressure so they can learn better.
2. Statement: "The use of technology in the classroom improves student
learning."
o Counterargument: The usage of technology creates an attachment
and too dependent for the students. Even though technology improves
the student learning process, but technology should used wisely and
just supporting the access to the wider knowledge.
3. Statement: "School uniforms should be mandatory for all students."
o Counterargument: School uniforms are expensive and not everyone
capable enough to afford it. In a school, there are students who came
from different family backgrounds, classes and economic capability.
So, it is difficult to actually implement the quality through uniform.
4. Statement: "Social media has a positive impact on teenagers' social skills."
o Counterargument: Social media has a higher risk of cyber crime and
fast spreading of false information. Teenagers play a huge role in
socials and the high risk can affect to them to get involved into
cybercrime. Teenagers should not be dependent on socials and
focusing daily life.
5. Statement: "All students should participate in extracurricular activities."
o Counterargument: Extracurricular should be just an option, besides
the academic as the main focus for the students. Extracurricular takes
away student’s time to take a rest at home or doing chores. They
should have enough time to do the other responsibility.

Task 3
Instructions:
Choose one of the following statements. Write a persuasive essay (3-4 paragraphs)
presenting a counterargument to the statement. Make sure to include an
introduction, the counterargument, and a conclusion.
1. Are school uniforms beneficial?
2. Is homework harmful or helpful?
3. Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
4. Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
5. Is artificial intelligence a threat to human jobs and job security?
 Is artificial intelligence a threat to human jobs and job security?

Artificial intelligence takes up a significant position threat to human role and job
security, as its rapid developments that are increasingly automating tasks that were
once exclusive to humans, leading to wide concerns about unemployment and
economic instability because of it.
The integration of AI into various industries and fields has resulted in the
transformation of automatic in many tasks that are usually done traditionally and
performed by humans. Such as data processing to manufacturing jobs, and also
customer service. AI can make everything done precisely and more efficient than
human’s work itself. This huge shift brought so many negative impacts to the
economy as well. While it is true that AI replace certain jobs, it also creates new
opportunities that still require human creativity and emotional intelligence. Thus,
while AI poses some threat some jobs, it also creates new potential and new
limitless opportunities in working field.
Additionally, AI-driven automation has the potential to widen the economic
inequality, where only those who has the access to advanced technology and skills
benefit privilege. Leaving low-skilled workers at greater risk of unemployment and
financial instability. As a result, those low-skilled workers or underprivileged people
have no choice but to be unemployed. However, some critics argue that AI can
actually help to reduce economic inequality by providing more access to education,
advanced and new opportunity, and inclusion in technology. It can be implemented
through online education, internet, and public facility that supported by AI for
everyone.
Artificial Intelligence has both challenges and positive impact to the human role at
working fields. It creates opportunities for human job and security as well. While it
threatens replace the tasks that are usually done traditionally by humans, it leads
to concerns about unemployment and economic instability. There are no need to
worry about that AI also creates new opportunities that require human creativity
and emotional intelligence.
 Persuasive Essay with Counterarguments Assessment
Rubric
Needs
Criteria Satisfactory (2) Good (3) Excellent (4)
Improvement (1)
Thesis Thesis statement Thesis statement Thesis statement is Thesis statement is
Statement is unclear or is present but clear and outlines exceptionally clear,
15% missing. lacks clarity or the main argument. concise, and well-
focus. defined.
Argument Arguments are Arguments are Arguments are Arguments are
Developme weak, unclear, or somewhat clear clear and well- exceptionally clear,
nt unsupported by but lack sufficient supported with well-developed, and
20% evidence. support or evidence. supported with strong
coherence. evidence.
Counterarg Counterarguments Counterarguments Counterarguments Counterarguments are
uments are missing or are present but are clearly thoroughly and
20% poorly addressed. weak or presented and effectively addressed,
inadequately reasonably showing deep
addressed. addressed. understanding of
opposing views.
Organizatio Essay lacks clear Essay has some Essay is well- Essay is exceptionally
n& structure, making structure but lacks organized with clear well-organized, with a
Cohesion it difficult to cohesion or logical structure and strong logical flow and
15% follow. flow. logical flow. excellent cohesion.
Use of Frequent Some grammatical Mostly clear and Clear, effective, and
Language grammatical errors and unclear effective language sophisticated use of
15% errors and phrasing. with minor errors. language with virtually
awkward phrasing. no errors.
Conclusion Conclusion is Conclusion is Conclusion Conclusion is
15% missing or fails to present but weak effectively exceptionally strong,
summarize the or unclear. summarizes the providing a clear and
argument. argument and compelling summary of
counterarguments. the argument and
counterarguments.