Concession and Rebuttal

Concession and Rebuttal

• Copyright 2007 Washington OSPI. All rights reserved.

• Concession and rebuttal (or counter argument). In a concession, you acknowledge that certain opposing arguments have some truth. The rebuttal explains how this does not weaken your argument. This makes you sound open–minded. This sounds like. . .

• I know what other kids would say
• . . . I have a possible solution to this problem.

• I realize most teachers don’t want cell phones in class because they cause problems, but. . . .

Counter Argument- example

• Copyright 2007 Washington OSPI. All rights reserved.

• Concession and rebuttal from a “late homework” prompt
• …I’d want all the procrastinators to get no credit, because they didn’t turn the work in on time and I did… Sure it sounds mean, but some people need to take up the reins and learn some responsibility.

Counter argument- your turn

• Copyright 2007 Washington OSPI. All rights reserved.

• In your Writer’s Notebook write a rebuttal for the topics given. We will share some examples when you are done.

Try 1:

• You are writing a persuasive essay against year round school year. Write a sentence you could use as a counter argument in this paper.

Try 2:

• In an essay about school uniforms, you are for having them. Present a counter argument you could use in the paper.

Try 3:

• You are writing an essay against lengthening the school day by one hour. Write a counter argument to include in this paper.