Good Essay Outline
Analysis of an Issue Essay Outline—Two Choices I. Introduction
"The question of whether [restate the topic in your own words—for example, 'schools should be responsible only for teaching academic skills and not for teaching ethical and social values'] is complex and the answer requires careful consideration. I believe, however, that [the side you choose] offers greater benefits, principally because of [give your reasons]." II. First body paragraph "One compelling reason to support [the side you choose] is [first reason]. This factor is important because [explain why]. For example, [give an example]. " III. Second body paragraph "Another consideration that has shaped my choice to support [the side you choose] is [second reason]. This idea carries great weight since [explain why]. For instance, [give an example]." IV. Conclusion
Essay Outline—Analysis of an Argument I. Introduction
"In [list the source, for example, a recent editorial], the author argues [briefly summarize the argument, for example, that businesses should relocate to Helios]. This argument, however, makes several unwarranted assumptions and fails to provide sufficient evidence to justify the author's claims." II. Flaws (3 most serious)
"In presuming [list the most serious assumption, for example, that low unemployment is beneficial to business], the author neglects to consider [explain how the assumption could be false, for example, the rise in wages and corresponding operating costs that accompany low unemployment]. For example, [give an example of a case in which this assumption could be false] . Moreover, the writer offers no data concerning [list missing information, for example, about the business climate in cities outside of Helios], thus making it difficult for us to evaluate the recommendation/conclusion. For instance, [give an example of how this
"The question of whether [restate the topic in your own words—for example, 'schools should be responsible only for teaching academic skills and not for teaching ethical and social values'] is complex and the answer requires careful consideration. I believe, however, that [the side you choose] offers greater benefits, principally because of [give your reasons]." II. First body paragraph "One compelling reason to support [the side you choose] is [first reason]. This factor is important because [explain why]. For example, [give an example]. " III. Second body paragraph "Another consideration that has shaped my choice to support [the side you choose] is [second reason]. This idea carries great weight since [explain why]. For instance, [give an example]." IV. Conclusion
Essay Outline—Analysis of an Argument I. Introduction
"In [list the source, for example, a recent editorial], the author argues [briefly summarize the argument, for example, that businesses should relocate to Helios]. This argument, however, makes several unwarranted assumptions and fails to provide sufficient evidence to justify the author's claims." II. Flaws (3 most serious)
"In presuming [list the most serious assumption, for example, that low unemployment is beneficial to business], the author neglects to consider [explain how the assumption could be false, for example, the rise in wages and corresponding operating costs that accompany low unemployment]. For example, [give an example of a case in which this assumption could be false] . Moreover, the writer offers no data concerning [list missing information, for example, about the business climate in cities outside of Helios], thus making it difficult for us to evaluate the recommendation/conclusion. For instance, [give an example of how this