Name it, break it, replace it
Rebuttal is three moves. Most people only do the middle one.
Say what their argument claims, in a sentence. Say exactly why it fails — the assumption it rests on that isn't true. Then say what IS true instead. Skipping the first step sounds like you didn't listen; skipping the last leaves a hole where your point should be.
Instead of
That's just not right though.
Try
They say bans push it underground. That assumes enforcement is the only lever — it isn't. What actually happens is fewer start.
Try it today
Rebut one thing today in three sentences: what they said, why it fails, what's true.
The science
The standard rebuttal structure taught in British Parliamentary and policy debate: signpost the argument, attack the warrant, offer the counter-claim. See the Cambridge Union and ESU debate guides.
Where you'd actually use it
Next lesson
- 🛑 Stop after the pointThe sentence after your best sentence is where arguments go to die.
- 🔗 Correlation isn't causeTwo things happening together is a clue, not a verdict.
- 🔓 Ask what would change their mindIf the answer is 'nothing', stop. If it's something, bring that.