The written text of an oral argument is organized just as any other argument is: it has an introduction that gives the background of the issue and states the thesis, it has a body that presents evidence that supports the thesis, it identifies and refutes arguments against the thesis, and it ends with a concluding statement.
In general, an oral argument can be structured in the following way:
| INTRODUCTION | Presents the background of the issue |
| States the thesis | |
| BODY | Presents evidence: Point 1 in support of the thesis |
| Presents evidence: Point 2 in support of the thesis | |
| Presents evidence: Point 3 in support of the thesis | |
| Refutes opposing arguments | |
| CONCLUSION | Brings the argument to a close |
| Concluding statement restates thesis | |
| Speaker asks for questions |