Mini Lesson: Addressing Other Points of View

Consider this... Concession: Agreeing or acknowledging a point on the other side of an issue –Not a weakness! Strengthens ethical appeal Makes you seem understanding, knowledgeable Actually makes you stronger

How do I Begin? Use a transition word/phrase to move from topic of paragraph to your concession –Critics often claim –Admittedly –It is true that –It is often argued that –Ex: "It is often argued that school uniforms improve academic performance."

Opposing View: Mini-Argument Sentence 1: Transition sentence Sentence 2: Concrete detail* –That’s right, you need a CD for your opposition Sentence 3: Commentary –Explain the CD just like any other CD

EXAMPLE It is often argued that school uniforms improve academic performance. In fact, a 2002 study of 12 schools in the greater Chicago area found that scores improved in schools with uniforms (Johnson and Beal). Perhaps students became less worried about having the right clothes to fit in, which meant they concentrated more fully on academic subjects.

After commentary… introduce your rebuttal (a.k.a. counterargument to concession):

I Like Big “Buts” & I Cannot Lie Transition words are useful: –But –Nevertheless –However –“What this opinion fails to take into account is that…”

Remember to… Follow up with lots of evidence for your side.

Most Importantly… Never end a paragraph with the opposition!

Uniform Example Schools without uniforms can be pillars of academic excellence. It is often argued that school uniforms improve academic performance. In fact, a 2002 study of 12 schools in the greater Chicago area found that scores improved when schools started requiring uniforms (Johnson and Beal). Perhaps students became less worried about having the right clothes to fit in, which meant they concentrated more fully on academic subjects. This argument, however, does not take into account the fact that, as child psychologists have found, teenagers will worry about their looks no matter what they are wearing (Childs 93). They will try to modify and accessorize their school uniforms, as well as change their hairstyles to fit in with their friends. Furthermore, just because academic scores improved in these schools, we cannot guarantee the change to uniforms was the reason for the increased scores... Red – Concession transitionLight Blue – Rebuttal transition Blue – Concession CDBlack-Rebuttal CD Green – Concession CMPurple-Original Argument

Where should it be? Wherever you need it... –Think of your essay as a conversation between you and the reader. As the reader absorbs your paper, where might they be thinking “Yeah, I see your point, but...”? Anticipate these places and place your opposition there. –How many times you address your opposition really depends on your topic.

Steps to Success! 1.Write the topic sentence of one of your arguments 2.Use concession transition Critics would argue, admittedly, etc. 3.Concession CD (from your notes – please cite!) 4.Concession CM 5.Counter argument to concession However, nevertheless, but, etc.