Outlines for Argumentative Essays

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The argumentative essay is the most sophisticated expression of academic writing (that is, writing that makes use of either primary and/or secondary research). It brings together in one communication all of the writing skills, patterns, strategies, and techniques we have studied in the course about argumentation, use and presentation of sources, summary, paraphrase, and documentation.

Following are outlines that serve as organizational plans for several types of argumentative academic papers.

1) The Claim-Support Paper

1) Introduction 
a) begin with an interest device
b) state position/claim/judgment

2) Body 
a) develop your reasoning for the position/claim/judgment 
b) cite evidence supporting position/claim/judgment

3) Conclusion 
a) echo 
b) appeal 
c) expansion
d) projection 
e) periodic development

2) The Positive Single-Source Argumentative Paper

1) Present the author's position and selected stated claims and their premises which you wish to support. 

2) Identify underlying assumptions or implied claims from which the author draws support for hislher position. 

3) Explain the legitimacy of either or both stated and implied claims and their conclusions which justify support of the author's position.

3) The Negative Single-Source Argumentative Paper

1) Present an author's position and selected stated claims and their premises which you wish to challenge. 

2) Identify underlying assumptions or implied claims from which the author draws support for hislher position. 

3) Challenge either or both stated and implied claims and their conclusions which justify a rejection of the author's position.

4) The Analysis and Evaluation of Argument in a Single Source

1) Present the author, source, and thesis of an essay. 

2) Using quotation and paraphrase, identify a conclusion and one or more stated premises of an argument that appears in the essay which you wish to analyze and evaluate. Characterize the structural and semantic types of the argument and evauate it (using terminology appropriate to the semantic type). 

3) Present in standard form the modified stated claims of the argument (including both the conclusion and premises). 

4) Present all unstated (implied) premises that support the conclusion. 

5) Reconstruct the argument in standard form, incorporating both stated and impled premises. 

6) Abstract the argument. 

7) Write a paragraph justifying your evaluation of the argument.

5) The Multiple-Source Exploratory Argumentative Paper

1) Describe or reconstruct the issue or problem.

2) Summarize generally all relevant positions on the issue or problem. 

3) Develop a more detailed sumrnary-using paraphrase and quotation-of what seem to be the more important discussions of the issue or problem. 

4) Summarize work in progress or current findings/opinions.

5) Optional conclusions: 
a) Describe of the present dilemma of issue or problem. 
b) Project future courses of action.
c) Argue for one of the positions.

6) The Multiple-Source Evaluative Paper (for either the position or judgmental essay)

1) Introduction 
a) Begin with an interest device that appeals to the reader' s intellect and emotion and which establishes some common ground. 
b) End the introduction with your position in a single sentence (optional in an essay written for a hostile audience) 

2) Body 
a) Define the issue or problem.
b) Summarize objectively the most relevant positions or judgments addressing the issue or problem. Save your position or judgment for last. 
c) Restate your position or judgment and the criteria on which you have based your choice. 
d) Refute each of the other positions or judgments above. 
e) Build the argument for your choice, restating your position or judgment, the criteria, and now the premises. Save for last the most compelling premises supporting your position or judgment. 

3) Conclusion 
a) Summarize your position, criterion, and major premises and the failures of other options. 
b) Echo the beginning, alluding to the interest device employed in the introduction. 
c) Project future directions for study or exploration. 
d) Appeal for unity, renewed support, solidarity, compromise, cooperation. 
e) Analyze the usefulness of your position or judgment for other applications.

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