Read the claim and reason. Beginning in high school, students should earn their own money by finding after-school employment. An after-school job serves not only as income, but as valuable experience for when students leave school for the workforce.

Read the counterclaim and reason.

While having a source of income can certainly be a learning experience for high school students, they should maintain their focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Working after school, many experts agree, can lead to a decrease in school success, which can then limit students’ options when they enter the workforce.

How can the rebuttal best address the counterclaim?

The rebuttal should include examples of jobs that are available to students and the problems associated with those jobs.
The rebuttal should acknowledge that school remains a priority and discuss the benefits of a balance between school and work.
The rebuttal should address the need for a discussion on the matter by restating both points before reaching a conclusion.
The rebuttal should state a logical explanation for both opinions before granting credibility to the need for school to remain a priority.