Answer:
Refuting is important because it disproves the claims you are arguing against through the essay.
Step-by-step explanation:
An argumentative essay has the purpose of proving why one claim is true and why the other is not. A counterclaim acknowledging the other's evidence or point of view; once the writer refutes it, he/she is giving the necessary evidence to disprove the claim, thus being able to prove his/her claim in the process.