Structuring the argumentative essay - Acknowledging and addr...

Learning Outcomes

After completing this article, you will be able to:

• Identify plausible counterarguments and real weaknesses in your chosen position for the LSAT essay.
• Structure and express those counterpoints objectively.
• Construct logical refutations or responses to objections and limitations.
• Write a more balanced, persuasive, and assessment-ready argument, as required for the LSAT.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT Writing and Logical Reasoning, you must show the ability to structure an argument that acknowledges rival views and honestly analyses both sides of a decision. For this article, focus your revision on:

• recognising and fairly describing major counterarguments to your recommendation
• identifying at least one significant limitation or drawback of your supported option
• explaining, refuting, or mitigating the key objections
• using logical reasoning to show why your choice remains the best available, even after weighing disadvantages

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Why should you mention serious weaknesses or risks in your LSAT essay argument?
   1. It undermines your option’s persuasiveness
   2. It demonstrates critical analysis and fair judgment
   3. It is only needed if you have no reasoning
   4. It is optional for assessment
2. In responding to a major counterargument, what is the best approach?
   1. Ignore it to avoid weakening your case
   2. Reference it openly and give a logical reply
   3. Overstate its flaws to dismiss it
   4. State it and then restate your own reasons

3. True or false? LSAT essays should never mention the possible disadvantages of a recommended course of action.

Introduction

A top LSAT essay argument does more than explain why one choice is preferable—it also deals honestly with alternatives and admits the limits of your option. The LSAT tests whether you can analyse not just strengths, but also objections, drawbacks, and risks, showing mature reasoning expected from law students. This article sets out practical techniques for incorporating counterarguments and weaknesses into your argumentative structure.

Recognising Counterarguments on the LSAT

To achieve the highest marks, you need to demonstrate awareness of other reasonable positions or objections to your preferred choice. This shows you understand the issue fully, can think impartially, and are not presenting a one-sided or superficial view.

Key Term: counterargument
A reason, fact, or rationale supporting a different option or challenging the strongest point for your chosen position.

Identifying and Weighing Weaknesses

No option presented on the LSAT will be flawless. It is important to state credible limitations of your choice and discuss their significance. Do not exaggerate these, but do not ignore them either.

Key Term: weakness
A real risk, disadvantage, or shortcoming of your chosen recommendation that a reasonable opponent could raise. Addressing this shows balanced analysis.

How to Structure Counterarguments in Your Essay

A common, effective approach for the LSAT is:

• Briefly introduce the main rival option (or a key point in its favour) in a dedicated body paragraph or where it best fits your flow.
• Explicitly state one or two material counterarguments or risks to your recommendation.
• Provide a logical response: explain why these drawbacks are not determinative, how they can be mitigated, or why your option outweighs them overall.
• Use clear language to signal the shift: “One could object that…”, “A significant risk is…”, “While the main drawback remains...”, “However, on balance…”.

Worked Example 1.1

An LSAT prompt asks whether the city should build a new bridge or repair an ageing hospital. You support the bridge.

Question: How could you structure your acknowledgment of a key weakness, and show your choice is still justified?

Answer:
"The main weakness of building the bridge is that urgent hospital repairs will be delayed. However, the bridge is necessary to reduce daily travel times and prevent traffic accidents, which are a growing safety issue. Though pausing hospital investment is a risk, the benefits of improved transport and lower accident rates make the bridge the better initial investment."

Responding Logically to Objections

After identifying a counterargument or flaw, your next step must always be to address it directly—either by limiting its impact, refuting its premise, or explaining why your option’s advantages are weightier. Avoid brushing it off or simply restating your initial points.

Key Term: refutation
A reasoned reply to an objection that explains why the opposing argument is less persuasive than your overall recommendation.

Key Term: mitigation
An explanation of how a weakness or risk could be reduced, managed, or made less significant.

Worked Example 1.2

Suppose you decide a town should fund public parks rather than a sports stadium.

Question: What is a strong response to the counterargument that stadiums boost local revenue?

Answer:
"Although a sports stadium may bring in periodic revenue from events, public parks provide accessible recreation all year, improving residents’ quality of life and attracting steady local use. Experience from similar towns indicates parks also encourage health and social connectedness, which cannot be matched by occasional stadium income."

Language for Weighing Disadvantages

When discussing a risk, use precise, objective phrasing. Examples:

• “A possible criticism is…”
• “One drawback is… However, this is less serious because...”
• “Despite this challenge, the alternative is less effective overall.”
• “While there is a risk of..., measures can be put in place to limit the impact.”

Worked Example 1.3

For a prompt: Invest in university science facilities or upgrade student housing? You choose facilities.

Question: Write one sentence honestly addressing the main objection and then limiting it.

Answer:
"Investing in laboratories may result in older housing stock, but modern science facilities are likely to increase student recruitment and improve teaching standards, both key to long-term university goals."

Exam Warning

Do not exaggerate flaws or conceal serious weaknesses in your analysis. The LSAT rewards fair, balanced discussion and logical, non-emotional risk assessment.

Common Pitfall: Omitting or Minimising Drawbacks

If you avoid or dismiss obvious downsides, your argument will seem partial and may lose marks. Instead, openly weigh the pros and cons, and provide a fair comparison with alternative options.

Revision Tip

After drafting your LSAT essay, check:

• Have you mentioned the strongest counterargument against your recommendation?
• Did you admit one genuine weakness or drawback of your choice?
• Have you provided a logical response or mitigation for each?

Summary

Table: Strategies for Addressing Counterarguments and Weaknesses

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• The need to state and fairly evaluate counterarguments in LSAT essays.
• Why it is important to mention and weigh real drawbacks in your argument.
• How to structure your analysis to show balanced, logical legal reasoning.
• Phrasing for introducing, explaining, and responding to risky features of your own recommendation.
• The most common pitfalls, including ignoring or overstating a weakness.

Key Terms and Concepts

• counterargument
• weakness
• refutation
• mitigation