Counter argument

Conservative essay

Thesis: Conservatism is best for America because of its view on fewer business regulation and social programs, and for its support of limits on some private behaviors.

Counter argument for division #1

After paragraph arguing that fewer business regulations would help America , you could include:

Liberals, on the other hand, argue that these regulations, as Cooper and Peck MacDonald note, “keep powerful individuals or groups from trampling on the rights of the less powerful” (251). The problem with this view is that it interferes with an individual's right to decide what to do. [further explanation of this]

Or

Liberals, on the other hand, argue that these regulations, as Cooper and Peck MacDonald note, “keep powerful individuals or groups from trampling on the rights of the less powerful” (251). The problem with this view is that too often the federal government doesn't know when to stop. [further explanation of this]

Argumentative Discourse

Note the shift to argumentative discourse after the quote ("The problem with this view is that too often the federal government doesn't know when to stop"). Other sentence patterns that make this shift to argument include

The problem with ___ is that _____.

This ______ helps/hurts society/America/people because __________

The advantage/s of ________ is/are _______.

Sentence patterns such as these literally force you to explain your point -- which is the goal in argumentative writing.