What is the term for an opposing viewpoint that a writer acknowledges and refutes with evidence?

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A counterargument is an opposing viewpoint that a writer acknowledges and then refutes with evidence. This approach shows you’ve considered other sides of the issue and strengthens your position by using evidence and reasoning to show why the opposing view isn’t as convincing. It helps readers see the issue from multiple angles and understand why your argument holds up when objections are addressed. For example, you might acknowledge a common worry about later school start times, then present research and practical evidence to explain why the benefits outweigh the concerns. This concept is different from a conclusion, which wraps up the argument, or a hypothesis, which is a testable statement in scientific reasoning. While a concession involves acknowledging a point, the specific idea being challenged here is the counterargument itself.