English 122, and 123 The Argument Essay: 

Select one of these organizational patterns to outline your essay

 
Pattern #1

I.  Introduction

Attention-Getter
Lead-in to Thesis
Thesis (thesis will be the last sentence in the introduction)
II.  Brief History or background
III.  Your Arguments Defending Your Point of View
A.  Point One
1.  evidence to support this point
2.  evidence
3.  evidence
B.  Point 2 with evidence
C.  Point 3 with evidence
IV.  Summary of Opposing View
A.  Point One
B.  Point 2 
C.  Point 3 
V.  The Rebuttal
A.  Refute or answer opposition point 1 with evidence
B.  Refute or answer opposition point 2 with evidence
VI.  Conclusion
A.  Restate the thesis
B.  Summarize main points
 
 Pattern# 2
I.  Introduction
Attention-Getter
Lead-in to Thesis
Thesis (thesis will be the last sentence in the introduction)
II.  Brief History or background
III.  Summarize Opposing View
A.  Point 1
B.  Point 2
C.  Point 3
IV.  Refute Opposing View 
A.  Point 1  (You may offer evidence for each point)
B.  Point 2
C.  Point 3
V.  Your Point of View
A.  Point 1  (You may offer evidence for each point)
B.  Point 2
C.  Point 3
VI.  Conclusion:  Restate thesis and summarize main points 
 
Pattern #3
I.  Introduction
Attention-Getter
Lead-in to Thesis
Thesis sentence
II.  Brief History or background
III.  The Argument
A.  Your point of View which refutes opposing view
a.  evidence
b.
c.
B.  Your point of View which refutes opposing view
a.  evidence
b.
c.
C.  Your point of View which refutes opposing view
a.  evidence
b.
c.
IV.  Conclusion

Sample outline:  The Wicked Stepmother in Literature

Return to English 123 Home Page

Return to Assignments Page


 
 
 
 

 


 
 

Email me if you have questions