Acknowledging the opposing viewpoint

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 91 views

What is a Concession in an Argument?

A concession in an argument is a statement that acknowledges the validity or strength of an opposing viewpoint or counterclaim. It is a strategic move made by the writer to show that they have considered alternative perspectives and are willing to engage with them. In this article, we will explore the concept of concessions in argumentative writing and provide examples to illustrate their use.

Defining Concessions

A concession is not the same as an admission of defeat or a surrender of one's argument. Rather, it is a way of acknowledging the opposing viewpoint while still maintaining one's own position. Concessions can take many forms, including:

Acknowledging the opposing viewpoint: This involves recognizing the validity or strength of the opposing argument.
Addressing counterclaims: This involves responding to specific counterarguments or criticisms of one's own argument.
Providing evidence for the opposing viewpoint: This involves presenting evidence that supports the opposing argument, even if it does not necessarily change one's own position.

Why Use Concessions in Argumentative Writing?

Concessions are an important tool in argumentative writing because they help to:

Build credibility: By acknowledging the opposing viewpoint, writers can demonstrate that they have considered alternative perspectives and are willing to engage with them.
Address counterarguments: Concessions can help writers to anticipate and respond to counterarguments, making their argument more robust and convincing.
Show nuance: Concessions can help writers to show that they are aware of the complexity of the issue and are willing to engage with different perspectives.

Examples of Concessions in Argumentative Writing

Here are some examples of concessions in argumentative writing:

Example 1: "While some may argue that the benefits of a new policy outweigh the costs, I believe that the costs are too high and the benefits are not sufficient to justify the policy."
Example 2: "It is true that some people may experience negative side effects from a new medication, but the benefits of the medication far outweigh the risks."
Example 3: "I acknowledge that some may argue that a particular policy is necessary to address a social issue, but I believe that there are alternative solutions that are more effective and less costly."

Tips for Using Concessions in Argumentative Writing

Here are some tips for using concessions in argumentative writing:

Use concessions to build credibility: By acknowledging the opposing viewpoint, writers can demonstrate that they have considered alternative perspectives and are willing to engage with them.
Use concessions to address counterarguments: Concessions can help writers to anticipate and respond to counterarguments, making their argument more robust and convincing.
Use concessions to show nuance: Concessions can help writers to show that they are aware of the complexity of the issue and are willing to engage with different perspectives.

Conclusion

Concessions are an important tool in argumentative writing because they help to build credibility, address counterarguments, and show nuance. By acknowledging the opposing viewpoint and addressing counterclaims, writers can demonstrate that they have considered alternative perspectives and are willing to engage with them. In this article, we have explored the concept of concessions in argumentative writing and provided examples to illustrate their use. By following the tips outlined above, writers can use concessions to strengthen their arguments and engage with different perspectives.

Common Misconceptions About Concessions

Here are some common misconceptions about concessions:

Concessions are the same as admissions of defeat: This is not true. Concessions are a way of acknowledging the opposing viewpoint while still maintaining one's own position.
Concessions are only used in academic writing: This is not true. Concessions can be used in any type of writing, including persuasive writing, argumentative writing, and even creative writing.
Concessions are only used to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint: This is not true. Concessions can also be used to acknowledge the strength of the opposing viewpoint or to provide evidence for the opposing argument.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concessions

Here are some frequently asked questions about concessions:

What is a concession in an argument? A concession is a statement that acknowledges the validity or strength of an opposing viewpoint or counterclaim.
Why use concessions in argumentative writing? Concessions help to build credibility, address counterarguments, and show nuance.
How do I use concessions in argumentative writing? Use concessions to build credibility, address counterarguments, and show nuance. Provide evidence for the opposing viewpoint and acknowledge the strength of the opposing argument.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions About Concessions

Here are some frequently asked questions about concessions in argumentative writing:

Q: What is a concession in an argument?

A: A concession is a statement that acknowledges the validity or strength of an opposing viewpoint or counterclaim.

Q: Why use concessions in argumentative writing?

A: Concessions help to build credibility, address counterarguments, and show nuance. By acknowledging the opposing viewpoint and addressing counterclaims, writers can demonstrate that they have considered alternative perspectives and are willing to engage with them.

Q: How do I use concessions in argumentative writing?

A: Use concessions to build credibility, address counterarguments, and show nuance. Provide evidence for the opposing viewpoint and acknowledge the strength of the opposing argument.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about concessions?

A: Some common misconceptions about concessions include:

Concessions are the same as admissions of defeat.
Concessions are only used in academic writing.
Concessions are only used to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint.

Q: How do I know when to use a concession in my argument?

A: Use a concession when:

You want to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint and show that you have considered alternative perspectives.
You want to address counterarguments and make your argument more robust.
You want to show nuance and complexity in your argument.

Q: What are some examples of concessions in argumentative writing?

A: Here are some examples of concessions in argumentative writing:

"While some may argue that the benefits of a new policy outweigh the costs, I believe that the costs are too high and the benefits are not sufficient to justify the policy."
"It is true that some people may experience negative side effects from a new medication, but the benefits of the medication far outweigh the risks."
"I acknowledge that some may argue that a particular policy is necessary to address a social issue, but I believe that there are alternative solutions that are more effective and less costly."

Q: How do I incorporate concessions into my argumentative writing?

A: Here are some tips for incorporating concessions into your argumentative writing:

Use concessions to build credibility and show that you have considered alternative perspectives.
Use concessions to address counterarguments and make your argument more robust.
Use concessions to show nuance and complexity in your argument.

Q: What are some common pitfalls to avoid when using concessions in argumentative writing?

A: Some common pitfalls to avoid when using concessions in argumentative writing include:

Using concessions as a way to avoid addressing counterarguments.
Using concessions to undermine your own argument.
Using concessions to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint without providing evidence or reasoning.

Q: How do I evaluate the effectiveness of concessions in my argumentative writing?

A: Here are some tips for evaluating the effectiveness of concessions in your argumentative writing:

Ask yourself whether the concession is used to build credibility, address counterarguments, or show nuance.
Ask yourself whether the concession is supported by evidence and reasoning.
Ask yourself whether the concession is used to undermine your own argument or avoid addressing counterarguments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, concessions are an important tool in argumentative writing because they help to build credibility, address counterarguments, and show nuance. By acknowledging the opposing viewpoint and addressing counterclaims, writers can demonstrate that they have considered alternative perspectives and are willing to engage with them. In this article, we have explored the concept of concessions in argumentative writing and provided examples to illustrate their use. By following the tips outlined above, writers can use concessions to strengthen their arguments and engage with different perspectives.