THESIS TOPIC OF YOUR CHOICE
I. Introduction A. Overview/introductory points about issue, emphasizing what makes the issue a debate and showing how it has exigence, or an urgent need for further debate in the public discourse.
B. Claim/overall thesis (What your position is) and three main supporting points to thesis/claim. II. Background and Context [Within Past 5 Years]
A. Landmark event/important newsworthy event or turning point issue that shows the exigence or urgency of the issue needing further debate.
B. Another landmark event/important newsworthy event or turning point issue that shows the exigence or urgency of the issue needing further debate.
C. Another landmark event/important newsworthy event or turning point issue that that shows the exigence or urgency of the issue needing further debate.
III. Weakest Reason A. Present weakest reason in support of your position.
B. Supporting point to weakest reason/use research to help present point(s).
C. Explain research/evidence in your words and how it supports thesis and topic point of what the weakest reason is.
IV. Counterargument to Weakest Reason
A. Present one main counterargument to weakest reason.
B. Supporting point(s) to counterargument to weakest reason/use research to help present point(s).
C. Explain research/evidence in your words and how it presents the counterargument.
V. Refutation to Counterargument
A. Present what the main weakness is or what is faulty about counterargument.
B. Possibly use source to support your Refutation.
C. Explain more how the information or fallacy here shows the weakness or faultiness of counterargument.
Outline Instructions Page 3 of 4 VI.
Next Stronger Reason
A. Present main next stronger reason to your overall argument
B. Supporting point to your next stronger reason
C. Explain research/evidence in your words and how it supports thesis and topic point of what weakest reason is.
VII. Counterargument to Next Stronger Reason
A. Present main counterargument to next stronger reason.
B. Supporting detail or point to counterargument to next stronger reason.
C. Explain research/evidence in your words and how it presents/supports the counterargument. VIII. Refutation
A. Present main refutation to counterargument to next stronger reason.
B. Additional refutation supporting point to counterargument to next stronger reason.
C. Explain more how there is a weakness or faultiness of counterargument to next stronger reason. IX. Strongest Reason A. Present strongest reason in support of your position.
B. Supporting point to strongest reason/use research to help present point(s).
C. Explain research/evidence in your words and how it supports thesis and topic point of what the strongest reason is
Outline Instructions Page 4 of 4 X. Counterargument to Strongest Reason
A. Present one main counterargument to strongest reason.
B. Supporting point(s) to counterargument to strongest reason/use research to help present point(s).
C. Explain research/evidence in your words and how it presents the counterargument.
XI. Refutation to Strongest Reason
A. Present what the main weakness is or what is faulty about counterargument.
B. Possibly use source to support your Refutation.
C. Explain more how the information or fallacy here shows the weakness or faultiness of counterargument.
XII. Conclusion A. Restate and summarize main reasons in support of your position presented in body of argument.
B. Provide next steps/forward-looking solution information (See conclusion PowerPoint in Research Position Paper folder)