Sample Notes Sheet for “Counterarguments”

Objective: Take notes for the opposing side of the debate (3 pages; 4 pages Honors).
*For the counterarguments, consider how you can rebut each of the claims.

Here’s a sample for how to set up your paper:

Counterargument 1
Ex:
Some may say that the
death penalty is immoral
and that killing a murderer
is just as bad as the
murderer having killed an
innocent person.
My Rebuttal
Why should we give leniency to a murderer? Since the days of the Bible,people
have taken an “eye for an eye”. In other words, the punishment should fit the
crime, and if someone commits murder they should be murdered. It is morally
equal. The criminal (and society) will never learn not to do something if they are
only given a slap on the hand. We need to establish punishments that are strict
and harsh, and rewarding the murderer with life in prison does not justice for the
victim of the crime who is no longer alive.