1. Concession and Rebuttal
Concession and rebuttal (or counter argument). In a concession, you acknowledge that certain opposing arguments have some truth. The rebuttal explains how this does not weaken your argument. This makes you sound open–minded. This sounds like. . .
Remind students that what they experienced in My Turn! Your Turn! was an argument and counter argument. When there is concession and rebuttal, the writer concedes the truth of an argument before answering it, which can be more effective than just answering back and forth.
I realize most teachers don’t want cell phones in class because they cause problems, but
I know what other kids would say
. . . I have a possible solution to this problem.
Copyright 2007 Washington OSPI All rights reserved.

2. Counter Argument- example
Concession and rebuttal from a “late homework” prompt …I’d want all the procrastinators to get no credit, because they didn’t turn the work in on time and I did… Sure it sounds mean, but some people need to take up the reins and learn some responsibility.
Discuss this sample (excerpted from the 2006 WASL) with your students. The concession / rebuttal is in blue.
Copyright 2007 Washington OSPI All rights reserved.

3. Counter argument- your turn
In your Writer’s Notebook write a rebuttal for the topics given. We will share some examples when you are done.
In the document folder is 7th concession-rebuttal samples.doc. This document has two samples of 7th grade baseline papers and the concession/rebuttal they added after the lesson. You may want to share these papers with your students.
Copyright 2007 Washington OSPI All rights reserved.

4. Try 1:
You are writing a persuasive essay against year round school year. Write a sentence you could use as a counter argument in this paper.

5. Try 2:
In an essay about school uniforms, you are for having them. Present a counter argument you could use in the paper.

6. Try 3:
You are writing an essay against lengthening the school day by one hour. Write a counter argument to include in this paper.