Concession Examples in Literature: Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies for AP English

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🤝 Definition: A concession in rhetoric acknowledges the validity of an opposing viewpoint before arguing for one's own.
• 📝 Purpose: To build credibility (ethos) by showing you've considered other perspectives, making your argument more persuasive.
• 🔍 Key Phrases: Common phrases include "While it is true that...", "Although...", "Certainly...", "Granted...", and "Of course...".
• 💡 Placement: Concessions often appear at the beginning of an argument, but can be effective anywhere.
• ✍️ Analysis: When analyzing a concession, consider what viewpoint is being acknowledged, how it strengthens the speaker's argument, and its overall effect on the audience.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best defines a concession in rhetoric?
   1. Acknowledging and refuting an opposing viewpoint.
   2. Ignoring opposing viewpoints to strengthen one's own argument.
   3. Acknowledging the validity of an opposing viewpoint before arguing for one's own.
   4. Presenting only one side of an argument.
2. What is the primary purpose of making a concession in an argument?
   1. To confuse the audience.
   2. To weaken one's own argument.
   3. To build credibility and make the argument more persuasive.
   4. To avoid addressing opposing viewpoints.
3. Which of the following phrases is commonly used to introduce a concession?
   1. Therefore
   2. In conclusion
   3. While it is true that...
   4. Furthermore
4. In what part of an argument is a concession MOST effective?
   1. Only at the end.
   2. Only in the middle.
   3. Anywhere, but often at the beginning.
   4. Only when directly challenged.
5. Consider the following sentence: "Although the opposing team has a strong offense, our defense is even stronger." What rhetorical device is being used?
   1. Hyperbole
   2. Understatement
   3. Concession
   4. Irony
6. How does a concession contribute to ethos?
   1. By demonstrating ignorance of opposing viewpoints.
   2. By showing the speaker has considered other perspectives.
   3. By attacking the character of the opposition.
   4. It does not contribute to ethos.
7. What should you analyze when identifying a concession in a text?
   1. Only the speaker's viewpoint.
   2. Only the opposing viewpoint.
   3. The acknowledged viewpoint, how it strengthens the argument, and its effect on the audience.
   4. The length of the sentence containing the concession.