2.1 Opposing claims

Returning to the benefits of carrot for our eyesight, here is an example of an opposing claim: ‘Beta carotene supplements will not strengthen eyesight or slow decline in healthy people.’

You can add this to your argument map by adding two further items. Apart from the item above, you need to also state explicitly that ‘Carrots are a source of beta carotene’. In this case, the two claims are connected to the main claim by an OPPOSE, rather than a SUPPORT box, in Figure 3.

Figure 3 A basic argument with a main claim and both supporting and opposing claims

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This figure shows the result of adding two opposing claims to the map from Figure 2. We use our concise notation to describe the map: MC ‘Eating carrots improves eyesight.’ SUPPORT 1 ‘Carrots are a source of Vitamin A.’ 2 ‘Taking vitamin A can reduce the risk of poor vision in individuals with a vitamin deficiency.’ OPPOSE 3 ‘Carrots are a source of beta carotene’ 4 ‘Beta carotene supplements will not strengthen eyesight or slow decline in healthy people.’

Figure 3 A basic argument with a main claim and both supporting and opposing claims