Concession as a Concession as a Persuasive Writing Persuasive Writing

TechniqueTechnique

An M. Jodon ProductionAn M. Jodon Production

Journal 9:Journal 9:

You want to go to Cancun You want to go to Cancun for spring break with your for spring break with your friends. You see no reason why you should friends. You see no reason why you should be deprived of this trip, but your parents be deprived of this trip, but your parents forbid you to go. forbid you to go.

Come up with 3 reasons why you should Come up with 3 reasons why you should be allowed to go AND 3 reasons your be allowed to go AND 3 reasons your parents may not want you to goparents may not want you to go

Sample Cancun ReasonsSample Cancun ReasonsParents’ Reasons:

• Lack of safety in a foreign country

• The expense of overseas travel

• Lack of chaperones

• Potential availability of alcohol to underage students

Your Reasons:• Travel is as important in

education as study

• You have worked hard for twelve years and deserve a vacation

• You have always been a trustworthy and responsible person. You have not gotten into trouble in America and will not choose this opportunity to spend time in a Mexican jail

What is a concession?What is a concession?

Concession is when you acknowledge Concession is when you acknowledge or recognize the opposing viewpoint, or recognize the opposing viewpoint, conceding something that has some conceding something that has some meritmeritA reader of your essay is more likely to A reader of your essay is more likely to listen to you if you show you can see listen to you if you show you can see his/her point of view before you his/her point of view before you counter that argumentcounter that argument

Why is concession important?Why is concession important?

It allows you to show that you see and It allows you to show that you see and appreciate good reasoning on the part of appreciate good reasoning on the part of the oppositionthe oppositionAt the same time you have the opportunity At the same time you have the opportunity to show your own to show your own betterbetter reasoning reasoningYou concede the validity of the opposition, You concede the validity of the opposition, but then you prove the superiority of your but then you prove the superiority of your positionpositionThe opposition might be right, but you are The opposition might be right, but you are "righter."  "righter." 

Why is concession important?Why is concession important?

Remember that a concession is not a form Remember that a concession is not a form of weaknessof weaknessIn fact, a concession is a strength as it In fact, a concession is a strength as it finds common ground with your opponent finds common ground with your opponent and establishes your ethical appeal: you and establishes your ethical appeal: you are a reasonable person willing to listen are a reasonable person willing to listen to/acknowledge that there are more sides to/acknowledge that there are more sides to an issue than yoursto an issue than yours

This is why!This is why!

**You can**You can’’t ignore compelling opposing t ignore compelling opposing evidence. You must address strong evidence. You must address strong arguments on the other side; if you donarguments on the other side; if you don’’t, it t, it looks like you are not well prepared and looks like you are not well prepared and have not looked at the issue you are have not looked at the issue you are writing about from all perspectives.**writing about from all perspectives.**

Example 1Example 1

"True, gun control legislation in Canada "True, gun control legislation in Canada needs to be tightened to prevent the United needs to be tightened to prevent the United States from becoming as violent as its States from becoming as violent as its neighbors to the south. The proposal that neighbors to the south. The proposal that has been submitted, however, does not go has been submitted, however, does not go far enough. Instead,…[now writer begins far enough. Instead,…[now writer begins building his side of argument showing how building his side of argument showing how it is stronger than the opposing sideit is stronger than the opposing side’’s!]s!]

Example 2Example 2““It is trueIt is true that students should not have that students should not have headphones on when their teachers are giving headphones on when their teachers are giving a lesson. Students should not be allowed to a lesson. Students should not be allowed to block out their teachers. block out their teachers. However,However, when every when every member of the class is working individually member of the class is working individually after important information has been given, after important information has been given, listening to music can be a helpful learning listening to music can be a helpful learning tool. It would create a more relaxing, calm tool. It would create a more relaxing, calm environment for learning. Some students can environment for learning. Some students can concentrate more while listening to music.concentrate more while listening to music.””

Example 3Example 3

““CertainlyCertainly, some students abuse the , some students abuse the absentee policy and lie about being sick. absentee policy and lie about being sick. They usually try to get out of school for one They usually try to get out of school for one reason or the other. reason or the other. ButBut the majority of the majority of students stay home because they are sick. students stay home because they are sick. When a student is sick, he should be When a student is sick, he should be focusing on getting better, not worrying focusing on getting better, not worrying about missing classes and grades. Also about missing classes and grades. Also when a student comes to school when he when a student comes to school when he is sick because he doesnis sick because he doesn’’t want to lose t want to lose credits, he is not helping himself.credits, he is not helping himself.””

Transitional PhrasesTransitional Phrases

It is true that…however…therefore…It is true that…however…therefore…Certainly…but…in short…Certainly…but…in short…Admittedly…on the other hand…so…Admittedly…on the other hand…so…Of course…nevertheless…as a result…Of course…nevertheless…as a result…Obviously…on the contrary…finally…Obviously…on the contrary…finally…Sure…however…in addition…Sure…however…in addition…

Where should concessions go?Where should concessions go?

Concession statements can go Concession statements can go almost anywhere!almost anywhere! in the introductionin the introduction in the body paragraphsin the body paragraphs in a separate body paragraphin a separate body paragraph

Concession Structure ExampleConcession Structure Example

Paragraph One:Paragraph One:Introduction--use this to get your reader's Introduction--use this to get your reader's attention.  You can use a dramatic incident attention.  You can use a dramatic incident or example.  This is your opportunity to or example.  This is your opportunity to hook your reader into your paper.  Use it hook your reader into your paper.  Use it well.well.Give your proposition, your point of view at Give your proposition, your point of view at this point.this point.

Concession Structure ExampleConcession Structure Example

Paragraph Two:Paragraph Two:Now give the opposition's argumentNow give the opposition's argument A. Opposing point to your argument.A. Opposing point to your argument. B. Your rebuttal to the opposing point.B. Your rebuttal to the opposing point. C. Elaboration to back your rebuttal. C. Elaboration to back your rebuttal.

Concession Structure ExampleConcession Structure Example

Paragraph Three:Paragraph Three: Concede to the opposition's good reasoning. . . Concede to the opposition's good reasoning. . .

ButBut you have better reasoning, and here it is. you have better reasoning, and here it is. Start here with your first better reason and Start here with your first better reason and develop it.develop it.

Paragraph Four:Paragraph Four: Your second "better reasoning" and develop itYour second "better reasoning" and develop it

Paragraph Five:Paragraph Five: Your third "better reasoning" and develop itYour third "better reasoning" and develop it

Concession Structure ExampleConcession Structure Example

Paragraph Six: Paragraph Six: You can give another reason here, or you You can give another reason here, or you can conclude your paper if you feel that can conclude your paper if you feel that you have addressed all of the issues that you have addressed all of the issues that need to be addressed in order to persuade need to be addressed in order to persuade your reader.  Leave your reader with your reader.  Leave your reader with something to think about.  This is your last something to think about.  This is your last chance to change your reader's mind.chance to change your reader's mind.

Your Turn!Your Turn!

Take out your HSPA practice essay and Take out your HSPA practice essay and think about where you can add (a) think about where you can add (a) concession(s) to your argumentconcession(s) to your argumentRemember, it can be in the intro, the body Remember, it can be in the intro, the body paragraphs, or a separate paragraph all paragraphs, or a separate paragraph all togethertogether