Argumentative Outline

ARGUMENTATIVE OUTLINE

PROMPT: Explain “Concerned Mother’s” argument, and discuss the ways in which you agree or disagree with her views. Support your position (opinion) by providing reasons and examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

I.  INTRODUCTION

A.  Interest catcher (hook)--- Write about an experience you have had with a parent/guardian and a problem at school.

1.  Example: In school we had to do a class project, but my mother wasn’t allowed to help out at all.

B.  Position (Opinion)--- Give your position (opinion) about the Concerned Mother’s argument. Do you agree or disagree?

1.  Example: I agree/disagree with a Concerned Mother because______.

C. Thesis--- Give TWO arguments/reasons why you agree or disagree.

1. Example: The two reasons I agree/disagree with this Mother’s concern are _Reason #1 _ and __Reason #2__.

II.  BODY PARAGRAPH #1 (ACE the Question Format)

A.  Topic Sentence (Answer the Question)--- Reason #1 from your thesis.

1.  Example: Reason #1 is why this “Concerned Mother” is wrong/right.

B.  Citation (Text Example)--- Find one quote from the article to support Reason #1.

1.  Example: In this passage, Reason #1 is supported by the

quote “______”.

C.  Elaboration (Expand)--- Expand on this reason and the quote.

1.  Example: Also, in my own life, there was a time when I saw an example of Reason #1. It was ______.

III.  BODY PARAGRAPH #2 (ACE the Question Format)

A.  Topic Sentence (Answer the Question)--- Reason #2 from your thesis.

1.  Example: Reason #2 is why this “Concerned Mother” is wrong/right.

B.  Citation (Text Example)--- Find one quote from the article to support Reason #2.

1.  Example: In this passage, Reason #1 is supported by the quote “______”.

C.  Elaboration (Expand)--- Expand on this reason and the quote

1.  Example: Also, in my own life, there was a time when I saw an example of Reason #2. It was ______.

IV.  OPPOSITE OPINION PARAGRAPH #3 (ACE the Question Format)

A.  Topic Sentence (Answer the Question)--- State a reason why some might think the Concerned Mother is right/wrong (the opposite of what you wrote in your opinion).

Example: Some may say that a Concerned Mother is right/wrong because ______.

B.  Citation (Text Example)--- Find one quote from the article to support the opposite opinion.

Example: An example of this reasoning is because she says, “______” in her letter.

C.  Elaboration (Expand)--- Expand on this reason and the quote.

Example: Furthermore, this mother could be right/wrong because (an example from your life or experience).

V.  CONCLUSION

A.  Restating Thesis—Rewrite your thesis in a different way.

1. Example: In the letter from a Concerned Mother there are two main reasons she is right/wrong. They are Reason #2 and Reason #1.

B.  Summarize your Reasons. —Briefly tell about your evidence again.

1. Example: I have proven this mother is right/wrong in my evidence that she ______.

C.  Ask for Support/Call to action —Give a powerful ending and ask people to share your opinion. (Leave readers with something to think about).

1.  Example: You should also believe this mother is acting ______. Let’s go out and make sure that mothers like these are ______. I know I will be supporting her by ______.

ELABORATIONS/ EXPANDING YOUR ANSWER

You can use these five ways to expand your answer.

1.  Describe with literal language.

Example: This quote is stating that ______.

2.  Describe with figurative language

Example: Reason #1 or #2 is like a firestorm, it is brilliant and flashy.

3.  Cause and Effect

Example: The reason why this mother feels this way is because ______may have happened to her.

4.  Compare and Contrast

Example: Reason #1 or #2 is similar or different to than ______.

5.  Anecdote or Short Story

Example: There was a time when Reason #1 or #2 happened to me. (Tell your story)