Counter-Arguments and Concessions

1. Counter-Arguments and Concessions Add this sheet to your YP, let’s call its 28.33 and 28.66

2. What is a counter-argument? • A source that disagrees with you. • An argument against your thesis or some aspect of your reasoning.

3. Why would you use one in your essay? • Your main audience is going to be fence-sitters. • You don’t need to convince people who strongly agree with you. • People who are strongly against you will never agree with you. • When you use a counter-argument, you seem fair and reasonable. • Not addressing the opposition makes you seem unfair or ill-informed.

4. What are you looking for? • Who might disagree with your argument? Why? • What reasons might someone have for disagreeing with you? (Weaknesses in your argument, ideological differences) • What will my audience respect and think is fair?

5. But, Ms. Kelley!! What if I can’t find a counter-argument?!? • If no-one is against you, then your issue or your stance is not controversial enough. • If you just can’t find one, but you know they’re out there, then you need to re-evaluate your keywords and research strategy. • For example, people who are against hazing probably aren’t going to call it “hazing.” More likely, they will say something along the lines of “initiation” rites. • Consider groups or organizations that you know argue against your points. • See if you can find a classmate that disagrees with you and ask what they might search to research their perspective.

6. Examples

7. When addressing a counterargument in writing, it will have three parts: • Acknowledging- letting readers know you are aware of an opposing position, which is against the writer’s position. (Concession) • Accommodating- anticipating their objections to your argument (Setting them up) • Refuting- Opposing their objections to your position. (Shooting them down) • Refuting is asserting that your opponent’s arguments are wrong and arguing against them. • This is where you win!

8. Effective Concession Terms • Admittedly • Even though • Undoubtedly • Although • Conceding that • It goes without saying that • Perhaps__, yet • Despite • Certainly, but • While it is true that • Granted Notwithstanding

9. BS Example • Concession: Undoubtedly, many Austin High Students would be happier spending their day at Barton Springs instead of writing an essay in their English class. • Accommodating: In addition, many teachers understand that Barton Springs is an enjoyable recreational experience that can offer valuable exercise and stress relief. • Refuting: However, exercise and stress relief can be had afterschool or on the weekends just as easily as during the week. Furthermore, academic success will lead to future career success, which is one of the biggest factors in a person’s overall life satisfaction. Therefore, teachers should not sacrifice what is best for a student in order to give in to what a student wants. In the end, writing this essay will create infinitely more happiness than spending an hour and a half at Barton Springs ever could.

10. Variations • Depending on your purpose, mode, and audience, you may change how you want to present a counter-argument and make a concession in order to make your argument more effective. • Depending on the placement of your counter-argument within an essay, your approach may be different

11. As a middle paragraph: • If a prompt asks you to discuss the pros and cons of an issue, you may want to put your first argument in your first body paragraph, use the second paragraph to present and accommodate a counter-argument, and then refute the counter-argument in your last, strongest body paragraph.

12. As a first body paragraph: • If the other side has a valid and effective argument, you may want to present their side first and use the rest of your paper refuting it. Be careful about how many points you choose to concede/accommodate. You don’t want to weaken your argument or bite off more than you can chew.

13. As a hook: • Especially if you think your reader might be inclined to disagree with you, you can hook him by conceding to his side in order to employ ethos to your advantage. However, make sure that your reader is not tricked into think you agree with him. You want to concede without waffling.

14. As a part of your So What?: • After you’ve made an argument, you may want to provide a concession as we look at the same issue in the future. However, a conclusion concession should be very short and limited. You should not be going back on everything you’ve just said.

15. Tips and Tricks • Use concessions sparingly. You don’t want to look like a flip-flopper. • When you refute, address each of the counter-argument’s points you presented. You want to argue the same issues and make your argument stronger. • As you do rhetorical analysis, look out for concessions. If you can write with them, you should be able to recognize and analyze them. • Don’t come across as dismissive. Present the counter-argument clearly, but concisely. You don’t want to make it seem as if you are uniformed or unfair. • Think about this in real life arguments. What are you willing to give up (concede)?

16. Do Now… • Revise the counterargument you wrote in your timed writing • Or, if you didn’t write one the first time, incorporate a counterargument into your essay that is effective for your purpose and consistent with your thesis • Refer to your handout for help

17. Homework • Paper due by Wednesday 9/25 at 11:59pm • All makeup work due by 9/30 4:30pm • No exceptions