Counter-premise Indicators

Counter premises, also called adversatives, bring up points of opposition or comparison.
When creating an argument, an author will sometimes bring up a counter premise—
a premise that actually contains an idea that is counter to the
argument. At first glance, this might seem like an odd thing for an author to
do. But by raising the counter-premise and then addressing the complaint in a
direct fashion, the author can minimize the damage that would done by the
objection if it was raised elsewhere.
Counter-premises can also be ideas that compare and contrast with the
argument, or work against a previously raised point. In this sense, the general
counter-premise concept discusses an idea that is in some way different from
another part of the argument.
Counter-premise Indicators
But
Yet
However
On the other hand
Admittedly
In contrast
Although
Even though
Still
Whereas
In spite of
Despite
After all
Following is an example of a counter-premise indicator in use:
1. “The United States prison population is the world’s largest and
consequently we must take steps to reduce crime in this country.
Although other countries have higher rates of incarceration, their
statistics have no bearing on the dilemma we currently face.”
The first sentence contains a premise and the conclusion (which
is introduced by the conclusion indicator “consequently”). The
third sentence offers up a counter-premise as indicated by the
word “although.”