Restate (same meaning/different wording) your thesis in a forceful manner cajoling your audience to accept and agree with your perspective.

Critical Reading, Writing, and Research

Researched Argument

Required Outline

Draft your researched argument following this outline. Follow the outline precisely in order to earn the highest possible grade.

1. Introductory Paragraph:
2. Hook: Use the beginning sentences of the introduction to catch the reader’s interest. Suggestions – Ways of beginning creatively include the following:
3. A startling fact or bit of information OR
4. A meaningful quotation from one of your sources or some other source OR
5. An analogy or metaphor
6. Briefly provide background information regarding your selected topic and explain why the topic is important
7. Identify your three subtopics here or addend to your thesis as a series of items
8. Thesis: Your thesis should clearly state your standpoint on your topic (with your three subtopics if not related in a preceding sentence).

1. Body Paragraphs:
2. First subtopic: Weakest argument of support for your thesis. This sentence should provide the main idea for the entire argument.
3. Each subsequent paragraph should begin with a transition and a topic sentence that states the focus of that paragraph in support of the subtopic: the main idea of the section.
4. Each paragraph in this section needs to include quotes, paraphrases, and/or examples from your expert sources that support your argument.

1. Second subtopic: A strong argument of support for your thesis. Begin with an appropriate transition creating a link between subsection one and subsection two and obviating the fact that this is a new section of your paper. This sentence should provide the main idea for the entire argument.
2. Each subsequent paragraph should begin with a transition and a topic sentence that states the focus of that paragraph in support of the subtopic: the main idea of the section.
3. Each paragraph in this section needs to include quotes, paraphrases, and/or examples from your expert sources that support your argument.

1. Third subtopic: Strongest argument of support for your thesis. Begin with an appropriate transition creating a link between subsection two and subsection three and obviating the fact that this is a new section of your paper. This sentence should provide the main idea for the entire argument.
2. Each subsequent paragraph should begin with a transition and a topic sentence that states the focus of that paragraph in support of the subtopic: the main idea of the section.
3. Each paragraph in this section needs to include quotes, paraphrases, and/or examples from your expert sources that support your argument.

III.      Counter-argument presentation and rebuttal:

1. Create a topic sentence that acknowledges the existence of counter-arguments/opposition to your theory.
2. Use the major and minor detail sentences of this paragraph to list then contest/dispute the validity of the opposition’s perspective.
3. Explain why your perspective is more valid.
4. Use support from your sources to bolster your point of view.

1. Conclusion:
2. Restate (same meaning/different wording) your thesis in a forceful manner cajoling your audience to accept and agree with your perspective.
3. Summarize your three subtopics.
4. Indicate to the audience that you have shown your thesis statement to be valid and credible.
5. Provide a powerful ending related to the introduction. Answer the question: “So, what?”
6. Offer a solution or predict a future outcome or call for a needed action.