Academic Discussion — stance, concession and qualification

agreeing

find this argument persuasive because

Agreeing with a view — Agreeing with a specific argument rather than with a person.

Instead of i think this is right because

agreeing

share the view that

Agreeing with a view — Backing a classmate without simply repeating what they said.

Instead of i agree that

agreeing

there is considerable merit in

Agreeing with a view — Endorsing part of a view before you add your own.

Instead of this is a good point

agreeing

this position is well supported by

Agreeing with a view — Agreeing and immediately naming the evidence for it.

Instead of this idea is good because

disagreeing

not convinced that

Disagreeing with a view — Rejecting a claim without calling the person wrong.

Instead of i do not think

disagreeing

question the assumption that

Disagreeing with a view — Attacking what a view takes for granted rather than its conclusion.

Instead of i do not believe

disagreeing

the evidence points in the opposite direction

Disagreeing with a view — Disagreeing on the strength of data rather than opinion.

Instead of this is wrong

disagreeing

this argument overlooks

Disagreeing with a view — Naming what a view leaves out instead of contradicting it.

Instead of this forgets

conceding

a fair point, although

Conceding a point — Acknowledging a classmate and turning the argument in one move.

Instead of that is ok but

conceding

accept that

Conceding a point — Granting a fact you cannot dispute before you qualify it.

Instead of ok but

conceding

granted, the objection has some force

Conceding a point — Conceding a serious objection you intend to answer.

Instead of maybe you are right but

conceding

there is some truth in

Conceding a point — Giving ground on one point so your own point lands harder.

Instead of yes but

exemplifying

a case in point is

Giving an example — Giving one example that carries the whole argument.

Instead of for example

exemplifying

consider the case of

Giving an example — Asking the reader to examine a specific instance with you.

Instead of look at

exemplifying

this is illustrated by

Giving an example — Introducing evidence that shows rather than states your point.

Instead of like when

exemplifying

to take one example

Giving an example — Signalling that one instance stands for many.

Instead of for example

qualifying

in most cases, though not all

Limiting a claim — Making a general claim without over-claiming.

Instead of usually

qualifying

this holds only where

Limiting a claim — Naming the condition under which your claim survives.

Instead of this is true if

qualifying

to a limited extent

Limiting a claim — Agreeing partially without appearing to sit on the fence.

Instead of a bit

qualifying

with the important exception of

Limiting a claim — Protecting a general claim by naming what escapes it.

Instead of except

comparing

both approaches share

Comparing two things — Establishing common ground before you separate two views.

Instead of they are the same in

comparing

by comparison with

Comparing two things — Setting two options against each other explicitly.

Instead of compared to

comparing

the latter is preferable because

Comparing two things — Choosing between two options you have just laid out.

Instead of the second one is better because

comparing

the two differ chiefly in

Comparing two things — Naming the one difference that actually matters.

Instead of they are different because

concluding

for these reasons i would argue that

Closing an argument — Restating your position at the end with its support attached.

Instead of so i think that

concluding

on balance, the stronger case is for

Closing an argument — Closing after you have weighed both sides.

Instead of so i think

concluding

taken together, these points suggest

Closing an argument — Drawing one conclusion from several separate arguments.

Instead of so all this means

concluding

the weight of the argument favors

Closing an argument — Declaring a winner without claiming certainty.

Instead of this side is better