2023 Concessions and Counterarguments

Concession and Counterargument

​REVIEW

What is a CONCESSION?

A concession is when you STATE the opposing argument.

Example:

Thesis - Friar Laurence is to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. 

Concession - Some might argue that the Friar is not to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because all he does is try to help the teenagers and give them advice.

Multiple Choice

Select the concession for the thesis "Global warming is caused by natural cycles in the earth".

• Some might say that global garming is a part of Earth's natural cycle.

• Some might say that global warming is caused by humans, not just by earth cycles alone.

Multiple Choice

Select the best concession for the thesis below:

THESIS: Romeo and Juliet are the only ones to blame for their own deaths.

• Some might say that Romeo and Juliet are not to blame, but I think they are.

• Some might say that Friar Laurence is to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because he gave poor advice.

• Some might say that Romeo and Juliet are not to blame because they are only influenced by the Friar's advice.

• Some might say that the feud is ultimately responsible for the deaths of the two teenagers.

What is a counterargument?

The counterargument is proving the opposite argument (the concession) incorrect.

Example:

Thesis - Friar Laurence is to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. 

Concession - Some might argue that the Friar is not to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because all he does is try to help the teenagers and give them advice.

Counterargument - However this is not true. Friar Laurence's poor planning and inability to tell the parents the truth about the situation in a timely manner leads to the teenagers' suicides.

A high-quality concession/counterargument should....

State your side, a counterargument, refute it, and give sufficient evidence to PROVE why you’re right.

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following concession/counterargument: “Some people believe that it is unfair to make students wear uniforms, and they have a point.”

• States a counterargument, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the counterargument, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following concession/counterargument: “Some students believe that it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms, but the school has good reasons.”

• States a counterargument, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the counterargument, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following concession/counterargument: “Some students believe that it is unfair to be forced to wear uniforms, but they’re being immature. School is for learning, not fashion shows, and anyone who is that worried about an outfit has serious issues."

• States a counterargument, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the counterargument, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

“Uniforms are critical to learning. Some students believe it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms because it stifles their creativity and personal expression. However, the true purpose of school is to learn, and uniforms have been statistically shown to improve the learning environment.”