A student is writing an argumentative essay about children being paid for getting good grades. Their claim is that compensating students for academic performance would create unrealistic goals and low self-esteem for students who struggle in school.

Which of the following would be an appropriate counterclaim to this argument?

There are a number of students who put forth monumental effort in school but have learning disabilities in particular subjects.
Some students will resort to cheating and other dishonest methods of ensuring good grades in all classes.
It is unfair to reward students for good grades, as it creates an imbalance between students who naturally do well in school and those who have to work at it.
Some may argue that paying students for the grades earned on a report card encourages them to try harder in school.

1 answer

The appropriate counterclaim to the argument that compensating students for academic performance would create unrealistic goals and low self-esteem for students who struggle in school is:

**Some may argue that paying students for the grades earned on a report card encourages them to try harder in school.**

This counterclaim presents an opposite viewpoint that holds potential benefits of the practice, addressing the core topic of the essay and offering a direct rebuttal to the original claim.