Concession — English definition

Defined in 4 courses:

Where it is taught

In use

Naming the counterclaim is only half the move; the other half is the concession and the rebuttal.

Claims & Counterclaims

The stronger move is a concession: name the conflicting source directly, then explain why your conclusion still holds, or how it should be qualified in light of that evidence.

Synthesis Writing

The mature sequence is to state the counterargument honestly, offer a concession where the opposing view genuinely has a point, and then deliver a rebuttal: evidence and reasoning showing why your claim still stands.

Argumentative Research Writing

Questions using concession

Problem 1

Read this sentence: 'It is true that uniforms limit students' self-expression, but the drop in daily social pressure is worth that trade-off.' Which part is the CONCESSION?
  1. 'the drop in daily social pressure'
  2. 'It is true that uniforms limit students' self-expression'
  3. 'is worth that trade-off'
  4. There is no concession in this sentence.
Answer and explanation

'It is true that uniforms limit students' self-expression'

The concession is the honest admission that the opposing view has a real point ('uniforms limit self-expression'); the clause after 'but' is the rebuttal explaining why the claim still holds.

Problem 2

In a mature argument, a 'concession' is…
  1. an honest acknowledgment that part of the opposing view is fair or true, offered before the rebuttal
  2. the statistic offered as the argument's main proof
  3. the final call to action in the conclusion
  4. a transition word that signals a contrast
Answer and explanation

an honest acknowledgment that part of the opposing view is fair or true, offered before the rebuttal

A concession honestly grants what is reasonable in the opposing view; the rebuttal that follows then explains why the claim still stands.

Taught alongside

Elsewhere

Browse all courses