Using Opposing Viewpoints to Introduce

Many people may think that _______, but _______.

Even though _____, ______.

Many people may think that sixth graders are too immature to learn about the Holocaust, but many If you look at history, you might be led to conclude _________; surprisingly, though, ______________.

It seems to make sense that __________________; however, you would be surprised to discover ____________.

For some time, most people believed ____________; however, _________.

When the idea of _____________ was first introduced, ________________. Since then, however, ___________.

Example:

Many people may think that keyboarding has eliminated the need for handwriting, but penmanship experts argue that handwriting holds many hidden benefits.

For some time, most people believed that dragons and gigantic beasts were creatures of myth; however, the discovery of dinosaur fossils soon challenged this belief.

Using Opposing Viewpoints to Argue

At first you might think _____, but _____.

While it's true that _____, you need to remember that _____.

It's possible that _______, but __________.

Some people believe that _____; however, _____.

Although ____________, the reader knows that _________.

On the one hand, ____________; but on the other hand, however, __________.

Critics might say ___________________, but they're not considering.

I agree that ________________, but even more important _______________.

Yes, it's true that ____________; however, _____________.

Contrary to _____________(opposing view), researchers have actually found that __________ (your view),

Despite the fact that _______________, _____________ (your view).

Even though ___________________, you should realize that ___________________.

Example:

From Island of the Blue Dolphins (WARNING! SPOILERS!) 

In Chapters 25 and 26 of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, Karana's loyal dog Rontu dies of old age, leading her to capture and tame a new dog. Some people may think that she didn't wait long enough to get a new dog, but she actually waited three months. People may also think she chose a new dog for just for companionship, but Karana specifically chose the one that was Rontu's son. Although you may think that Karana got the dog for protection, the reader knows that she is perfectly capable of caring for herself.

~ by Nigel A, 2013-2014

Citing Evidence from the Text (without Opposing Viewpoints)

According to the author John Smith, "______________________."

As author John Smith notes in George Washington: Commander in Chief, "______________."

In George Washington: Commander in Chief, author John Smith explains this when he says, "___________." 

Citing Evidence from the Text (with Opposing Viewpoints)

Although someone might think that __________, the text explains that ______________.

Some people say that _______________, but according to the author, "__________________."

Even though you may have heard ________________, the article states "________________."

Writing an Introductory Paragraph with Opp. View and Citation

Many people may think that ____________, but _______________. (Second sentence provides additional detail or background about this, paraphrased by the writer). In "(name of article or story)," (the author's name) explains __________________ (instead of explains you can also say describes, tells, provides an example, illustrates, etc.).

Example:

Most people think that mummies are very rare, but at one time in history, millions of mummies existed. Egyptians had been mummifying their dead for over 3000 years, and there were so many mummies that often they needed to be "stacked in tombs like firewood." In the article "Millions of Mummies," author Paula Krause explains how mummies have become rare, and tells why the remaining mummies should be preserved.