HopefullyInLawSchool
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
contra
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A quick definition of contra:
Contra means "against" or "contrary to" in Latin. When someone uses the term "contra" in writing, it means that the source they are citing says the opposite of what they just said. It's like a signal that tells you the author is contradicting themselves.
A more thorough explanation:
Contra
Contra is a Latin term that means "against" or "contrary to." In writing, it is used as a signal to indicate that the cited source directly contradicts whatever the author just said. It is also known as a negative signal.
Example 1: The author claimed that coffee is bad for your health. Contra, a recent study found that moderate coffee consumption can actually have health benefits.
Example 2: The article argued that climate change is not caused by human activity. Contra, the overwhelming majority of scientific research supports the idea that human activity is a major contributor to climate change.
The examples illustrate how the term "contra" is used to signal a direct contradiction between the author's statement and a cited source. In example 1, the author claims that coffee is bad for your health, but the use of "contra" signals that a recent study found evidence to the contrary. In example 2, the author argues that human activity is not a major contributor to climate change, but the use of "contra" signals that scientific research supports the opposite view.