Assignment
PRACTICE: Identifying Claim, Opposing Claim, and
Counterclaim
So you think you know all about claims and counterclaims? Let’s find out. Read the argument. Then answer the questions to identify the claim, the opposing claim, and the counterclaim.

During World War II, people embraced conserving, rather than consuming. “Use it
up, make it do, or do without,” they said. But in the years that followed, most Americans abandoned those old-fashioned notions, replacing them with an almost frantic consumerism. The new mantra seemed to be: If something is old or needs repair, throw it out and buy a new one! However, with our trash dumps growing and our savings accounts shrinking or nonexistent, it is time for young Americans to learn to conserve again.

Young people face a tougher job market than did previous generations, and
should respond by spending less and saving more. The earlier people begin saving, the more interest they can earn over a lifetime. And a healthy savings account can help protect young people in the event of accidents and setbacks. For instance, having savings would allow a person to replace a lost smart phone or weather a sudden illness. After college, a comfortable savings account would provide graduates with the luxury of looking for the right job, not just any job.

Some young people scoff at the idea of saving money, exclaiming that “you only
live once,” and that youth is the time to have fun. Yet, there is no reason that youth is the time to have fun. Yet, there is no reason that young people cannot save money and enjoy themselves, too! There are many free events and activities every weekend, and great clothes can be purchased second-hand at scores of thrift stores. In fact, resale shops often have more interesting and unique items than can be found at the local mall, and for a quarter of the price! Saving money is more satisfying than wasting it on stuff that is simply not needed.

Conserving rather than consuming is also better for the planet and the economy.
The average American throws away four to five pounds of garbage a day. We also
throw away nearly half of our food every year—waste that is worth roughly $165 billion annually. Imagine if young people could learn to buy only what they need, to use it up, to reuse things, and to share. The benefits to us all would be astronomical.

Everyone has heard the old saying, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” For today’s young people, that old saying may be truer than ever. To protect themselves in this fragile economy, to safeguard the planet, and to save the country billions of dollars annually, young people must learn to reject consumerism and embrace saving. Young Americans must lead the way with conservation—our futures depend upon it!

Vocabulary Chart

Fill in this chart. Remember, part of speech is: noun, verb, adjective, adverb. Also remember that a synonym is a word that has a similar meaning. I want you to find 1 synonym for the word that is a word you already knew, and one synonym that is a word you do not know or at least did not realize it had the same meaning as the vocabulary word. Use Thesaurus. com to help you with this.
Word
Part of Speech
Familiar Synonym
Unfamiliar Synonym
notions

mantra

scoff

consumerism

objection

anticipate

rebut

1. Highlight the writer’s claim in the text. Then restate that claim in your own words below.

2. What objection to the claim does the writer anticipate? Underline the section
that presents the opposing claim.

3. Explain the counterclaim that the writer uses to rebut the opposition. In your
opinion, is this counterclaim effective?