Contents Prewriting Writing The Lead The Concession The Body The Conclusion Another Tutorial

Strongest argument against your thesis XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX but XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

You may wish to disarm the opposition by recognizing their viewpoint has some validity. This is a good move because those who disagree with your stand will be thinking it anyway.

The point is not rebutted; it is conceded.

The question might arise as to which point to use as a concession. Concede only the hardest point to argue against.

Notice in the example from Aregood, the concession comes in the fifth paragraph with the phrase, "this is not an attempt to justify sex crimes, crimes against children or crimes of violence. People who do such crimes should be as severely punished as the law allows. But …"