Researched Argument Essay Outline
Your Researched Argument Essay is an argument. You are not just presenting your findings; rather, you are choosing an argument based on your findings, and you are using your findings to prove that your claim is true and that a solution/resolution is warranted.
Introduction
I. Intro to Topic: Grab your readers attention with an interesting fact, analogy, or anecdote.
- Background Information on topic:
A. Set up the issue, provide the background and what this essay will show, cover, or prove for your audience.
B. Reference the Stimulus Packet article that inspired your question and explain how it did so.
C. What is the larger context of this issue? Why is it important (this is where you can use journalistic articles)?
- Thesis: Thesis statement in one single sentence. Clearly identify what your essay will argue.
Body
Section ONE (change the heading to match your topic)
Heading: for example: Age Restrictions: The Health Implications of Being Too Young
I. Context: 1-2 sentences of context if necessary (include sources citation if necessary).
Topic Sentence/Claim: first main point topic sentence/claim ( main points/claims are never questions, quotes, or information that requires a source citation – remember to focus on what this whole section is showing or proving):
- A – First perspectives assertion (claim – 1 sentence).
E – Use evidence to prove the claim (include appositive, quoted material, and in-text citation).
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue.
If you have a second claim that falls under the same perspective, include it in the A – E – C format in the same paragraph (copy and paste).
- A – Second perspectives assertion (claim – 1 sentence).
E – Use evidence to prove the claim (include appositive, quoted material, and in-text citation).
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue to the first perspective.
- A – Opposing/Different perspectives assertion (claim – 1 sentence).
E – Use evidence to prove the claim (include appositive, quoted material, and in-text citation).
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue to the first and/or second perspective. Use this commentary to disprove or devalue this perspective in light of the first to youve presented.
- Summarize and re-assert your initial claim with info discussed above (1-2 sentences max).
Section TWO (change the heading to match your topic)
Heading: for example: Age Restrictions: The Health Implications of Being Too Young
I. Context: 1-2 sentences of context if necessary (include sources citation if necessary).
Topic Sentence/Claim: second main point topic sentence/claim ( main points/claims are never questions, quotes, or information that requires a source citation – remember to focus on what this whole paragraph is showing or proving):
- A – First perspectives assertion (claim – 1 sentence).
E – Use evidence to prove the claim (include appositive, quoted material, and in-text citation).
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue.
If you have a second claim that falls under the same perspective, include it in the A – E – C format in the same paragraph (copy and paste).
- A – Second perspectives assertion (claim – 1 sentence).
E – Use evidence to prove the claim (include appositive, quoted material, and in-text citation).
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue to the first perspective.
- A – Opposing/Different perspectives assertion (claim – 1 sentence).
E – Use evidence to prove the claim (include appositive, quoted material, and in-text citation).
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue to the first and/or second perspective. Use this commentary to disprove or devalue this perspective in light of the first to youve presented.
- Summarize and re-assert your initial claim with info discussed above (1-2 sentences max).
Solutions & Limitations (leave this as the heading for this section)
I. Answer your question/provide the solution and identify why this is the best solution (use evidence, quoted material, and in-text citation as necessary). 2-3 sentences detailing the answer to your research question in light of the claims made and evidence given.
- A – Explain how this solution should be implemented and who would be responsible for implementation.
E – Provide evidence that shows that your solution has worked (maybe on a smaller scale or somewhere different) or evidence that can bring the reader to assume that your solution would work.
C – Provide commentary that explains, expands on, and/or connects the quoted information to the issue that youre discussing.
- A – List any major or minor limitations (no more than two).
E – Give evidence of your identified limitation.
C – Explain that while this limitation is valid, that a change still needs to take place and why.
- Final call to action: reiterate how important it is that the matter at hand receive attention (1 sentence).
Ideally, you should be able to take this outline and transition it into your final copy rather easily. When you do, be sure to use spell check, have several people read over it to make sure youre making sense throughout, format it correctly (stay consistent), use meaningful transitions, etc..
