Section 1: Introduction keep it short (3-4 sentences). Characterize the topic/issue in a few sentences and state your thesis.
Section 2: Defense of thesis
First, describe your topic/issue in sufficient detail, making clear why you think it’s important and interesting. This is stage-setting for your argument(s).
Second, present your argument(s) for your thesis. In other words, give some reasons for thinking that your thesis is correct. Before you begin your argument(s), say something like “I will now present my arguments for my thesis.”
Section 3: Objection(s)Consider an objection or objections that a stubborn but intelligent person who disagrees with you might offer to your argument(s). Start this section with something like “I will now consider objections to my argument”.
Note: Do not consider weak, silly, or confused objections to your argument.
This is the path of least resistance, reveals a lack of effort and creativity, and will significantly hurt your grade. If you are having trouble thinking of good objections, contact the instructors for help.
Section 4: Reply to Objection(s)Give your best reply to the objection(s) raised in the preceding section. Start this section with something like “I will now reply to objections to my argument(s)”.[Note: If you find that the objection(s) you bring up to are too difficult to reply to, you might take that as a sign that you ought to choose the opposite thesis to defend, and use the points in the objection as arguments for that thesis.]
Section 5: Conclusion Briefly recap. Keep it short (3-5 sentences). Be sure to restate the thesis you just defended (e.g., “In this paper I have argued that
