Concession as a Concession as a Persuasive Writing Persuasive Writing

TechniqueTechnique

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 meritmerit

A 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 weakness

In 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’t ignore compelling opposing **You can’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.**

Examples from GE: Examples from GE:

While some might believe Mrs. Joe While some might believe Mrs. Joe should not have been killed in the endshould not have been killed in the end, , the fact that Dickens characterizes her as the fact that Dickens characterizes her as a harsh disciplinarian and develops her a harsh disciplinarian and develops her character through imagery of her abusive character through imagery of her abusive nature proves that she truly was deserving nature proves that she truly was deserving of the way Dickens concluded her of the way Dickens concluded her character.character.

Example 2 from GE:Example 2 from GE:

Admittedly, some may agree that Abel Admittedly, some may agree that Abel Magwitch rightfully suffered a tragic Magwitch rightfully suffered a tragic death due to his criminal activitydeath due to his criminal activity, , howeverhowever, he did show remorse for his , he did show remorse for his actions and took full responsibility for his actions and took full responsibility for his wrong doings and, in the end, Dickens wrong doings and, in the end, Dickens portrayed him to be an upstanding and portrayed him to be an upstanding and honest person. honest person.

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…

Other Examples:Other Examples:

"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 Example ““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.””