Read the claim and counterclaim.

Question

Claim: In order to provide students with the most well-rounded education and the greatest opportunity to succeed, school days should be extended.

Counterclaim: If school days were extended, children would not have time to participate in other enriching activities, such as spending time with friends.

Which is the most effective rebuttal to the counterclaim?

It is very important for teenagers’ social development to build bonds with friends and spend quality time with them.
Longer school days lead to a decrease in crime committed by teenagers, since students have less free time.
There are many ways that longer school days help children, but both sides must be considered.
Many students would prefer shorter school days, so making them longer may not be the best option.

Answer 1

The most effective rebuttal to the counterclaim is:

"Longer school days lead to a decrease in crime committed by teenagers, since students have less free time."

This rebuttal directly addresses the concern raised in the counterclaim regarding the potential loss of time for socializing and other enriching activities. By highlighting that extended school days can lead to a positive outcome, such as reduced crime, it reinforces the argument that longer school days can have broader societal benefits, which may outweigh the drawbacks articulated in the counterclaim.