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Teaches students how to strengthen their own position by acknowledging and effectively refuting opposing views.
What if the secret to winning a debate wasn't shouting louder, but actually agreeing with your opponent first? In the world of advanced logic, the most persuasive writers don't ignore their critics—they invite them to dinner.
In advanced composition, a concession is the formal acknowledgment of a valid point made by the opposing side. It is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is a strategic move to show you are an objective, fair-minded thinker. A rebuttal (or refutation) follows the concession, where you explain why the opposing point, while valid in a specific context, does not ultimately overturn your main thesis. Think of it like Judo: you use the opponent's momentum to pull them toward your own conclusion. By saying 'Yes, I see your point,' you lower their defenses before you deliver the 'But here is why my position still stands' blow.
1. The Thesis: Schools should not require uniforms. 2. The Concession: 'Admittedly, school uniforms can reduce social pressure by eliminating the visible gap between wealthy and low-income students.' 3. The Rebuttal: 'However, this benefit is superficial; true economic equality is not achieved by masking it with clothing, and the high cost of purchasing specific uniform sets often places an even greater financial burden on struggling families.'
Quick Check
What is the primary purpose of a concession in an argumentative essay?
Answer
To acknowledge a valid point from the opposition to demonstrate fairness and objectivity.
In rhetoric, Ethos refers to your credibility as an author. If you ignore obvious counter-arguments, you look biased or uninformed. This is known as the Straw Man fallacy—attacking a weak, distorted version of your opponent's view. To be truly persuasive, you should Steel Man the opposition: represent their strongest possible argument before you refute it. Logically, if your argument can withstand the strongest version of argument , then is significantly more robust. This creates a logical 'proof' that your position is the most reasonable one available after all variables have been considered.
1. The Thesis: The government must mandate a transition to 100% renewable energy. 2. The Steel Man Concession: 'Critics rightly point out that a rapid transition could lead to immediate job losses in the coal and natural gas sectors, potentially destabilizing local economies that have relied on these industries for generations.' 3. The Rebuttal: 'While these economic shifts are significant, they are not insurmountable. By redirecting fossil fuel subsidies toward green-job retraining programs, the government can ensure that the amount of jobs lost is offset by the growth in the renewable sector.'
Quick Check
How does 'Steel Manning' differ from a 'Straw Man' fallacy?
Answer
Steel Manning involves addressing the strongest version of an opponent's argument, while a Straw Man attacks a weakened or oversimplified version.
A successful counter-argument paragraph follows a specific logical flow. You begin with a Signal Phrase (e.g., 'While some may argue...', 'Granted...', 'It is often claimed...') to introduce the concession. Next, you provide the Evidence for that opposing view. Finally, you use a Pivot Word (e.g., 'Nonetheless', 'Conversely', 'Despite this') to launch into your rebuttal. This structure ensures the reader doesn't get confused about which side you are on. It creates a logical 'sandwich' where the opposing view is contained within your own superior reasoning.
1. The Thesis: AI tools should be integrated into high school curricula rather than banned. 2. The Concession: 'Opponents of AI integration argue that tools like ChatGPT encourage academic dishonesty and atrophy critical thinking skills. They suggest that if a machine can generate an essay, the student learns nothing of the process.' 3. The Rebuttal: 'This perspective, however, assumes that the goal of writing is merely the final product. When viewed as a collaborative tool, AI can act as a personalized tutor. By teaching students to prompt-engineer and fact-check AI outputs, we move the educational focus from rote memorization to high-level evaluation—skills far more relevant in the 21st-century workforce.'
Which of the following best describes a 'concession'?
Which word acts as a 'Pivot Word' to transition from concession to rebuttal?
Acknowledging a counter-argument usually weakens your own position in the eyes of an educated audience.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the difference between a 'Straw Man' and a 'Steel Man' to a friend or family member.
Practice Activity
Find an opinion article in a newspaper. Identify one concession the author makes and evaluate if their rebuttal is strong enough to maintain their thesis.