This essay follows a strict outline which is given below:
Title:
I.
Introduction
A. Opening
1. Attention hook – startling statistics, a dramatic story, a challenging question,
etc.
2. Establishment of the issue at hand
3. Global significance to society in general
4. Your thesis statement
5. A preview of the main points
B. Establishing the issue
1. Overview of the problem or controversy
a. Information from source(s)
b. Personal experience or observation
2. Background information
a. Definition of key terms, important content-specific things to know ahead
of time
II. Discussion of the first point of view or “first perspective” about the issue
A. Description of arguments made by source about this issue
1. Briefly introduce the advocates for this position/general arguments
a. Mention their credentials and authority
2. Describe & review the source’s argument(s)
a. Describe & explain the thesis of the argument & its main points
i. Describe and explain the reasoning & the supporting evidence
3. Examine the influence or significance of the argument
4. Evaluate the arguments made by the source
a. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the argument – critically analyze,
describe how these impact the quality of the argument
b. Provide insight of some kind about strengths & weaknesses
**Make sure to be empathetic in your discussion!
B. Critically examine the credibility of the author or source
1. Describe the aspects of this source that increase or decrease the credibility
of the source on this topic of discussion
2. Describe the impact of credibility strengths/weaknesses on the overall
argument
3. Evaluate credibility – how do the credibility factors impact the source’s
arguments? (ex: make them stronger/should be given more weight? Weaker?
And WHY?)
**Make sure to be empathetic in your discussion!
III. Discussion of the second point of view or “alternate perspective” about
the issue
A. Repeat ALL of the steps for first perspective, as described above
B. Critically synthesize and compare the arguments of this perspective to the
arguments on the previous perspective
IV. Discussion of the third point of view or “next alternate perspective”
about the issue
A. Repeat ALL of the steps for first perspective, described above
B. Critically synthesize and compare the arguments of this perspective to the
arguments on the previous perspective
V. Draw your own critical conclusion – Describe what YOU think about this issue
A. Give explanation, support, and reasoning for WHY you think what you do!
B. Which arguments swayed you? WHY? Give reasons & explain your views
1. Personal experience or observation (if applicable)
C. Does more investigation need to be done?
D. Are more resources needed to explore the issue further?
E. Do changes need to be made in the way the issue is studied and discussed?
F. What is the potential impact of future study or research?
**All sources must be footnoted!
Works Cited / Sources
– Make sure that you have appropriate footnote formatting throughout paper!
– List source materials on last page – style doesn’t matter (MLA, APA, etc.) BUT
choose one style and stick with it
– All sources used in footnotes must be in works cited
o Works cited can include more sources than directly footnoted if you want …
