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Lesson
Writing Task 2: Concession and counter-argument
Strong essays take the opposing view seriously before answering it. Learn to concede, refute and qualify, the moves that make a position convincing, then write an opinion essay.
Why concede?
An essay that ignores the other side looks one-sided. One that acknowledges the strongest opposing point and then answers it looks thoughtful and confident. This is a hallmark of Band 8–9 Task Response.
Four moves
| Move | What it does | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Concede | Accept part of the other view | Admittedly,… / It is true that… / Granted,… |
| Refute | Show why it doesn't change your conclusion | However, this overlooks… / Yet this argument fails to… |
| Qualify | Limit your own claim to make it accurate | in most cases / at least for younger users / largely |
| Assert | State your position clearly | I would therefore argue… / On balance,… |
Concede: It is true that social media has exposed young people to new forms of bullying.
Refute: However, this reflects how platforms are designed and regulated, not a flaw in online communication itself.
Qualify: …at least for adults who use these platforms critically.
Refute: However, this reflects how platforms are designed and regulated, not a flaw in online communication itself.
Qualify: …at least for adults who use these platforms critically.
A common mistake
Conceding so much that your position disappears. Concede one point, answer it, and return to your argument.
Practise freely
Questions 1–4
What move does each sentence make? Choose A–D.
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Admittedly, the constant flow of notifications can make it harder for some people to concentrate.
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Yet this argument overlooks the fact that the same tools allow people to switch notifications off entirely.
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This is particularly true for users who have grown up with these platforms.
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On balance, I would argue that social media has brought more benefits than harm.
Questions 5–7
Choose the best answer.
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Which is the most effective concession and response?
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What is the main danger of conceding too much?
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Which sentence is best qualified?
Questions 8–11
Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the box.
GrantedoverlookslargelyOn balance
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, some platforms have been slow to remove harmful content.
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However, this criticism the role of users in choosing what they follow.
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These benefits are felt by people who live far from their families.
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, I believe the advantages outweigh the drawbacks.
Your turn: write the essay
Some people argue that social media has done more harm than good to society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words. Include at least one concession with a clear response.
Check your answer
Model answer
Few technologies have spread as quickly or provoked as much debate as social media. While I accept that it has created serious problems, I disagree with the view that its overall effect on society has been harmful.
The case against social media is not without substance. Admittedly, platforms designed to maximise attention have encouraged compulsive use, and for many teenagers heavy use appears to be linked with poorer sleep and lower self-esteem. Misinformation can also spread faster than it can be corrected, as several public health campaigns have discovered.
However, these problems largely reflect how particular platforms are designed and regulated, rather than any inherent flaw in online communication. Features such as endless scrolling can be limited by law, as some governments are now attempting, and media education can help young people evaluate what they read. To blame the technology itself is rather like blaming the printing press for the pamphlets it produced.
Against these costs must be set considerable benefits. Social media has allowed families separated by migration to remain part of each other's daily lives, which matters enormously in countries such as Bangladesh, where millions work abroad. It has given small businesses access to customers they could never have reached through traditional advertising, and it has enabled ordinary citizens to document injustices that might otherwise have gone unreported.
On balance, therefore, I would argue that social media has done more good than harm, provided that societies are willing to regulate its most damaging features. The challenge is not to reject the technology, but to shape it more wisely.
More writing practice
PDF worksheet
64 academic collocations for Writing Task 2
PDF worksheet