Add this sheet to your YP, let

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Counter-Arguments and Concessions

• Add this sheet to your YP, lets call its 28.33
  and 28.66

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What is a counter-argument?

• A source that disagrees with you.
• An argument against your thesis or some aspect of
  your reasoning.

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Why would you use one in your essay?

• Your main audience is going to be fence-sitters.
• You dont 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.

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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?

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But, Ms. Kelley!! What if I cant find a
counter-argument?!?

• If no-one is against you, then your issue or your
  stance is not controversial enough.
• If you just cant find one, but you know theyre
  out there, then you need to re-evaluate your
  keywords and research strategy.
• For example, people who are against hazing
  probably arent 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.

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Examples
Argument Counter-Argument
1. Cosmetic surgery is dangerous and unnatural. 1. People have the right to make decisions about their bodies.
2. Curfews for teens encourage responsibility and help teens stay safe. 2.
3. 3. Child beauty pageants help create a positive self-image for young girls.
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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
  writers 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 opponents
  arguments are wrong and arguing against them.
• This is where you win!

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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

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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 persons
  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.

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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

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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.

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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 dont want to weaken
  your argument or bite off more than you can chew.

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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.

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As a part of your So What?

• After youve 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 youve just said.

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Tips and Tricks

• Use concessions sparingly. You dont want to look
  like a flip-flopper.
• When you refute, address each of the
  counter-arguments 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.
• Dont come across as dismissive. Present the
  counter-argument clearly, but concisely. You
  dont 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)?

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Do Now

• Revise the counterargument you wrote in your
  timed writing
• Or, if you didnt 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

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Homework

• Paper due by Wednesday 9/25 at 1159pm
• All makeup work due by 9/30 430pm
• No exceptions