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Table of Contents
Argumentative essay outline toolkit
| Action Item | Notes | Example |
|---|---|---|
Step I | The initial step in crafting a compelling outline for your argumentative essay is to carefully choose your topic. By thoughtfully selecting your topic, you're laying the foundation for an argument that will engage and inform your audience throughout your essay. | If you are writing an essay on capitalism and socialism, your topic can be “Why is socialism important for a co-operative society”. |
Step II | Generally, the purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade your readers to understand and support your point of view about a topic by stating your reasoning and providing evidence to back it up. | If your objective is to state your opinion on a topic, you can say, “A discussion on how socialism can improve co-operative behaviour in the society will be conducted.” |
Step III | This section of your outline is dedicated to crafting the central argument, known as the thesis statement, for your essay. Generally, a strong thesis statement for an argument essay states a clear position on the issue or topic at hand. | Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Capitalism and socialism each have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but for the betterment of society socialism offers a wider and healthy prespective.” |
Step IV | Now, it's time to chart the course for your essay by outlining the key components. Define the main points you'll be addressing and specify the supporting points that will strengthen your thesis. Generally, argumentative essays usually follow a five-paragraph structure.. | The main points for your essay could be
|
Step V | After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples. In this section, you will explicitly outline the main points to be discussed and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments. | In your main point “Socialism ensures fairness and equality”, sub-points you can include could be:
|
Step VI | Academic essays will require you to cite all information presented, along with the need to attribute examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Within this context, you should clearly outline the sources from which you will be citing information. | You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on historical events and their impact. |
Step VII | A hook serves the purpose of capturing the reader's attention and piquing their curiosity. Generally, argumentative essays use surprising or compelling statistics related to your argument as a hook. | You can start your essay with a statistical data hook like “Did you know roughly 39% of people have a positive view of capitalism and a negative view of socialism, and vice-versa”. Then continue on to provide an overview of capitalism and socialism and introduce your central question. |
Step VIII | After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. Argumentative essays are generally concluded by addressing opposing viewpoints and explaining why readers should align with your position. | In the conclusion, you will reiterate your thesis statement, and then give your final perspective on how socialism is better for society. |
Step IX | Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. In argumentative essays generally, contrast transition words are used specifically when you need to communicate a point that contradicts your previous statement. An effective transition sentence is one that includes a word or phrase such as however, despite this/that, in contrast, or nonetheless. | You can use words like “chiefly”, “as a result”, and “after all” to transition from one idea, topic, or sentence to another. |
Step X | With your outline now complete, take a moment to revisit it, ensuring it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as your review. | Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn't add any extra points. |
Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like
Introduction
- Provide an overview of capitalism and socialism
- Introduce the central question: How is socialism more beneficial for society?
Thesis
Capitalism and socialism each have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but for the betterment of society socialism offers a wider and healthy prespective.
Socialism ensures fairness and equality
- Highlight the advantages of socialism, such as better living standards
- Mention how socialism reduces income inequality
- Provide real-world examples or case studies that illustrate the effects of socialism
Capitalism can be better for economy
- Discuss the benefits of socialism, such as reduced income inequality and social safety nets.
- Explore the disadvantages of socialism, such as reduced economic incentives and bureaucracy
- Offer examples from socialist societies or historical contexts to illustrate the impact of socialism
Socialism can create a stable economy and society
- contrast capitalism and socialism based on how socialism provides better economic stability for the society (e.g., economic growth, income distribution, individual freedom)
- Evaluate the impact of capitalism and socialism on societal well-being, considering factors like healthcare, education, and poverty
Socialism enhances living standards and reduces business fluctuations
- End your discussion by mentioning how socialism is better for both economically and socially
- Present examples of countries successfully implementing socialism models
Conclusion
- Reiterate your thesis statement
- Give your final perspective on how socialism system is more beneficial for society
This is what your outline will look like
Firstly, the essay will discuss how socialism ensures fairness and equality in society by examining various advantages of socialism and offering real-world examples from case studies and historical events. Secondly, the essay will compare and analyze both by evaluating their impact on social and economic factors. Lastly, the essay will convey how socialism enhances living standards and reduces business fluctuations and will support them with the use of real-world examples.
How to write an outline for an argumentative essay
1. Identify the topic
The initial step in crafting a compelling outline for your argumentative essay is to carefully choose your topic. Your choice of topic should be precise and engaging, setting the stage for the reader's expectations. By thoughtfully selecting your topic, you're laying the foundation for an argument that will engage and inform your audience throughout your essay. To do this effectively, consider asking yourself thought-provoking questions.
If you are writing an essay on capitalism and socialism, your topic can be “Why is socialism important for a co-operative society”.
2. Define the objective
In the realm of argumentative essays, the primary aim is to convince your readers to align with your viewpoint on a particular topic. You accomplish this by presenting a well-reasoned argument supported by substantial evidence. Clearly outlining your objective helps your audience understand the purpose and direction of your argumentative essay right from the outset.
If your objective is to state your opinion on a topic, you can say, “A discussion on how socialism can improve co-operative behaviour in the society will be conducted.”
3. Craft the thesis
Within your outline, carve out a distinct section dedicated to constructing the thesis statement, the heart of your argumentative essay. A thesis statement for an argumentative essay takes a firm stance on the issue at hand. The thesis statement serves as the guiding light for your essay, directing your arguments and analysis toward a specific and persuasive perspective.
Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Capitalism and socialism each have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but for the betterment of society socialism offers a wider and healthy prespective.”
4. Main points
As you delve into the core of your outline, it's crucial to outline the major components of your argument. Identify the central themes and specify supporting points that bolster your thesis. In the realm of argumentative essays, the conventional five-paragraph structure often serves as a helpful framework. This structure typically comprises an introduction and a body paragraph that examines both sides of the issue, followed by your reasoning for supporting one side. Mapping out these main points provides a clear roadmap for your argumentative essay, ensuring it flows logically and persuasively.
The main points for your essay could be
- Socialism ensures fairness and equality
- Capitalism can be better for economy
- Socialism can create a stable economy
- Socialism is better for social living and fewer business fluctuations
5. Sub-points
Subsequently, after introducing the main points of your essay, you should embark on a comprehensive exploration of each of these points, fortified by relevant examples and evidence. In this section, it's imperative to elucidate the key issues to be discussed and specify the examples that will underpin your arguments. By breaking down your main points into sub-points, you'll be able to provide a more detailed and compelling argument within your essay.
Socialism ensures fairness and equality
- Highlight the advantages of socialism, such as better living standards
- Examine the drawbacks of capitalism, including income inequality and exploitation
- Mention how socialism reduces income inequality
- Provide real-world examples or case studies that illustrate the effects of socialism
Capitalism can be better for economy
- Discuss the benefits of capitalism, such as increase in overall economy and better market for consumers.
- Explore the advtanges of capitalism, such as a competitive market and bureaucracy
- Offer examples from socialist societies or historical contexts to illustrate the impact of socialism
Socialism can create a stable economy and society
- contrast capitalism and socialism based on how socialism provides better economic stability for the society (e.g., economic growth, income distribution, individual freedom)
- Evaluate the impact of capitalism and socialism on societal well-being, considering factors like healthcare, education, and poverty
Socialism enhances living standards and reduces business fluctuations
- End your discussion by mentioning how socialism is better for both economically and socially
- Present examples of countries successfully implementing socialism models
All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.
6. Evidence and citations
In the realm of academic essays, it's imperative to back your claims with credible evidence and properly attribute information. Your outline should include a dedicated section for citing your sources, whether they are real-world examples, quotes, or statistical data. This reinforces the credibility of your argument and demonstrates the thoroughness of your research.
You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on historical events and their impact.
7. Introduction and hook
To captivate your readers' attention, your argumentative essay's introduction should feature a compelling hook. Typically, argumentative essays leverage surprising or striking statistics related to your argument as a hook. An effective introduction sets the stage for your argument and entices your audience to delve further into your essay.
You can start your essay with a statistical data hook like “Did you know roughly 39% of people have a positive view of capitalism and a negative view of socialism, and vice-versa”. Then continue on to provide an overview of capitalism and socialism and introduce your central question.
8. Conclusion
After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. Argumentative essays are generally concluded by addressing opposing viewpoints and explaining why readers should align with your position.
In the conclusion, you will reiterate your thesis statement, and then give your final perspective on how socialism is better for society.
9. Transitions
Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. In argumentative essays generally, contrast transition words are used specifically when you need to communicate a point that contradicts your previous statement. An effective transition sentence is one that includes a word or phrase such as however, despite this/that, in contrast, or nonetheless.
You can use words like “chiefly”, “as a result”, and “after all” to transition from one idea, topic, or sentence to another.
10. Refine and review
Finally, before you embark on the actual writing of your essay, thoroughly review your outline. Ensure that each point flows logically, and all necessary information is included, while avoiding any extraneous content. Make any necessary revisions as you review, by refining and reviewing your outline, you lay the groundwork for a well-structured, persuasive, and compelling argumentative essay.
Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points.
