SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR YOUR ARGUMENT
INTRODUCTION
Lead-In; Suggested Options to Choose From:
Quotation(s)
Question(s)
Anecdote (from your experience or reading)
Myths (“Most people think that . . . ; but in fact . . .)
Reference to text (e.g., one of the essays)
Statistics, Quick Background to Issue
Thesis/Claim – YOUR position on the issue
–Definitions, Background Information (e.g., e.g., for a paper on day-labor centers: what is a day-labor center, where did this practice start, how long has this practice been in existence); not too much of this, just enough so that the reader has a clear understanding of the issue);
–This is also a place for you to establish exigence and explain what the debate is? Why has this issue not been resolved? Why is it important and urgent.
BODY
–Reason #1: First Major Sub-Argument or Area of Evidence Supporting Your Position (Topic sentences followed by support, including quotes and paraphrases from sources)
–Reason #2: Second Major Sub-Argument or Area of Evidence Supporting Your Position (Topic sentences followed by support, including quotes and paraphrases from sources)
–Reason #3: Third Major Sub-Argument or Area of Evidence Supporting Your Position (Topic sentences followed by support, including quotes and paraphrases from sources)
–Reason #4: Third Major Sub-Argument or Area of Evidence Supporting Your Position (Topic sentences followed by support, including quotes and paraphrases from sources)
–Reason #5: Third Major Sub-Argument or Area of Evidence Supporting Your Position (Topic sentences followed by support, including quotes and paraphrases from sources)
(In ordering your sub-arguments and evidence, think about which structural pattern from Chapter 11 you want to use!)
Rebuttals: Acknowledgment of perspective(s) other than your position; succinct summary of
opposing position, with good quotes. Can also be put right after introduction
CONCLUSION
Recommendations and Conclusions
Restate argument in light of material covered above. Show once and for all how the the evidence lead to the conclusion, the recommended course of action.
Lead-out; Suggested options to choose from:
Look to the future
Return to subject of lead-in and now look to a better future
Excellent final quote
Use these sources for research paper:
https://web-p-ebscohost-com.fcclib.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=a00d7eb1-c61e-4549-847b-5c3be1f9ca0d%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=cmedm&AN=36346798Links to an external site.
https://web-p-ebscohost-com.fcclib.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=13&sid=a00d7eb1-c61e-4549-847b-5c3be1f9ca0d%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=175563542&db=bshLinks to an external site.
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