Concede (or “Concession”)

General Definition: Failure to respond to an opponent’s argument.

• Public Forum: In PF, conceded arguments are generally granted as an agreement with the opponent. That said, concessions don’t automatically mean the other team will win the entire argument; it is still the responsibility of the debater to explain why that concession is important to the debate.
• World Schools Debate: In WSD, conceded arguments are not always granted as an agreement with the opponent. Teams must explain why the argument was important and reiterate its importance in later speeches in order to make the argument a reason to vote for their side and against their opponent.
• British Parliamentary: In BP, conceded arguments are not always granted as an agreement with the opponent. Teams must explain why the argument was important and reiterate its importance in later speeches in order to make the argument a reason to vote for their team ahead of their opponents, as well as the other team on their bench.
• Canadian National Debate Format: In CNDF, conceded arguments are not always granted as an agreement with the opponent. Teams must explain why the argument was important and reiterate its importance in later speeches in order to make the argument a reason to vote for their side and against their opponent.