how do you define thesis with concession and reason

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21 Argument, Counterargument, & Refutation

In academic writing, we often use an Argument essay structure. Argument essays have these familiar components, just like other types of essays:

Introduction
Body Paragraphs

But Argument essays also contain these particular elements:

Debatable thesis statement in the Introduction
Argument – paragraphs which show support for the author’s thesis (for example: reasons, evidence, data, statistics)
Counterargument – at least one paragraph which explains the opposite point of view
Concession – a sentence or two acknowledging that there could be some truth to the Counterargument
Refutation (also called Rebuttal) – sentences which explain why the Counterargument is not as strong as the original Argument

Consult Introductions & Titles for more on writing debatable thesis statements and Paragraphs ~ Developing Support for more about developing your Argument.

Imagine that you are writing about vaping. After reading several articles and talking with friends about vaping, you decide that you are strongly opposed to it.

Which working thesis statement would be better?

Vaping should be illegal because it can lead to serious health problems.

Many students do not like vaping.

Because the first option provides a debatable position, it is a better starting point for an Argument essay.

Next, you would need to draft several paragraphs to explain your position. These paragraphs could include facts that you learned in your research, such as statistics about vapers’ health problems, the cost of vaping, its effects on youth, its harmful effects on people nearby, and so on, as an appeal to logos . If you have a personal story about the effects of vaping, you might include that as well, either in a Body Paragraph or in your Introduction, as an appeal to pathos .

A strong Argument essay would not be complete with only your reasons in support of your position. You should also include a Counterargument, which will show your readers that you have carefully researched and considered both sides of your topic. This shows that you are taking a measured, scholarly approach to the topic – not an overly-emotional approach, or an approach which considers only one side. This helps to establish your ethos as the author. It shows your readers that you are thinking clearly and deeply about the topic, and your Concession (“this may be true”) acknowledges that you understand other opinions are possible.

Here are some ways to introduce a Counterargument:

Some people believe that vaping is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
Critics argue that vaping is safer than conventional cigarettes.
On the other hand, one study has shown that vaping can help people quit smoking cigarettes.

Your paragraph would then go on to explain more about this position; you would give evidence here from your research about the point of view that opposes your own opinion.

Here are some ways to begin a Concession and Refutation:

While this may be true for some adults, the risks of vaping for adolescents outweigh its benefits.
Although these critics may have been correct before, new evidence shows that vaping is, in some cases, even more harmful than smoking.
This may have been accurate for adults wishing to quit smoking; however, there are other methods available to help people stop using cigarettes.

Your paragraph would then continue your Refutation by explaining more reasons why the Counterargument is weak. This also serves to explain why your original Argument is strong. This is a good opportunity to prove to your readers that your original Argument is the most worthy, and to persuade them to agree with you.

Activity ~ Practice with Counterarguments, Concessions, and Refutations

A. Examine the following thesis statements with a partner. Is each one debatable?

B. Write your own Counterargument, Concession, and Refutation for each thesis statement.

Thesis Statements:

Online classes are a better option than face-to-face classes for college students who have full-time jobs.
Students who engage in cyberbullying should be expelled from school.
Unvaccinated children pose risks to those around them.
Governments should be allowed to regulate internet access within their countries.

Is this chapter:

…too easy, or you would like more detail? Read “ Further Your Understanding: Refutation and Rebuttal ” from Lumen’s Writing Skills Lab.

Note: links open in new tabs.

reasoning, logic

emotion, feeling, beliefs

moral character, credibility, trust, authority

goes against; believes the opposite of something

ENGLISH 087: Academic Advanced Writing Copyright © 2020 by Nancy Hutchison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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how do you define thesis with concession and reason

Home » Writers-House Blog » Using Concessions in a Thesis Statement

Using Concessions in a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the most important part of your argument. It should clearly indicate your position on the topic and provide your readers with an understanding of what you will discuss in your paper. Sometimes, thesis statements include concessions. Concessions are statements that admit that your paper doesn’t address some important issues or acknowledge a different perspective. Learn more about concessions in this quick guide from Writers-House.com

Writing Concessions

Also known as concessive clauses, concessions usually start with a concession phrase or word, such as “even though,” “although,” “regardless of,” “despite,” or “while.” For example: “Even though coal mining creates jobs, its impact on the environment outweighs such benefits.” The same thesis statement can also end with a concession: “Coal mining creates thousands of jobs; however, its negative impact on the environment is a much more important issue.”

Where to Use Concessions

Usually, a concession precedes the main part of a thesis statement. This approach allows you to make sure that readers will focus on your idea because people tend to remember the last idea in a series. This approach also helps to prepare readers for the first paragraph, which will likely support your thesis. Keep in mind that a concessionary can also be an independent sentence. We recommend that you experiment with different approaches to choose the most persuasive one.

Addressing Opposite Points

One of the main purposes of a concession is to acknowledge another perspective. If you demonstrate that you understand a competing point, your concession can make your argument more authoritative. Thesis statements of this kind are very effective because they don’t follow a binary logic. Concessions allow you to demonstrate the complexity of a topic, explaining different perspectives and the strengths of your point.

Limit Your Scope

A concession can also help you indicate that you’re aware of other aspects of your topic but not going to discuss them in the paper. Such a concession is necessary if you write about a broad topic because you need to narrow down your thesis. Acknowledge other aspects of the topic in the form of a concession and then clarify what exactly you’re going to consider.

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