Your line of argument should reflect your understanding of the issues and subjects addressed in your target publication and the needs, interests, and knowledge of its readers. As in other types of documents, you should develop a main point, select reasons to accept it, and choose evidence to support your reasons (see Chapter 14). Then you should choose an organizing pattern that is consistent with your purpose and role and create a map or an outline of your argument (see Chapter 15).

Your choice of organizing pattern will vary according to your role and purpose as well as the expectations of your readers. In general, you’ll find that the chronology and description patterns are often used in informative articles, while the strengths/weaknesses and costs/benefits patterns are well suited to articles that focus on analysis, evaluation, and argument. You can read more about organizing patterns in Chapter 15.