Counter Claim and Concession Rebuttal

Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved.

How many of you have been in a discussion with someone and you remember saying, “Yeah, that’s true, but…” This is COUNTER/CLAIM.

Let’s list several examples where this applies in your relationship with your parents or guardians.

Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved.

Acknowledging or recognizing the opposing viewpoint, conceding something that has some merit, and then refuting it with another argument.

C (Conceed) Tell them what you know they will say

R (Right) Butter them up and tell them why they might be justified or correct

A (Argue) Then turn the tables and argue why they are wrong/incorrect in their thinking and should believe you!

C-R-A

You must have something from the “C” and from the “R” and finally from the “A”.

Example: It is true that (C) school uniforms are

expensive, and I know (R)that students really do not want to wear them, nevertheless (A), I feel that uniforms would help everyone feel that they belong.

Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved.

It is true…and I know…on the contrary…

Certainly…because…conversely… Admittedly……this will result in…but… Of course…it is necessary…nevertheless…

Obviously…therefore…however… Sure…this is correct…and yet…

Practice #1: Imagine you were trying to convince me to let you eat snacks in class.

Develop a C-R-A to make a solid argument that will change my mind.

Imagine the school was considering implementing nap time. Most teachers are against it. Develop 3 concession rebuttals to present to your teacher.

Make sure to have all 3 parts C-R-A and use different signal words each time.

Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved.

Imagine it snowed 2 inches. Everyone is staying home but you as your parents are forcing you to go to school. Think of a way to use concession rebuttal to change their mind.

Remember: Concede that you know their argument – butter them up and tell them why they are right – and find a way to turn that around to argue and prove you are correct (C-R-A)

Work through the practice that follows the concession rebuttal notes in your binder.

(add a CRA statement that would work in paragraph 4 found on page 32)