Create an outline that will organize your argument effectively for your readers.

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Whether you have rough notes or a complete draft, making an outline of what you have written can help you organize the essay effectively for your audience. Compare the possible outlines that follow to see how you might organize your essay depending on whether your readers primarily agree or disagree with you.

Readers Primarily Agree with YouStrengthen their convictions by organizing your argument around a series of reasons backed by supporting evidence or by refuting opposing arguments point by point:
  1. Presentation of the issue
  2. Thesis statement: A direct statement of your position
  3. Your most plausible reasons and evidence
  4. Concession or refutation of opposing reasons or objections to your argument
  5. Conclusion: Reaffirmation of your position
 Readers Primarily Disagree with YouBegin by emphasizing common ground, and make a concession to show that you have considered the opposing position carefully and with an open mind:
  1. Presentation of the issue: Reframe the issue in terms of common values
  2. Concession: Acknowledge the wisdom of an aspect of the opposing position
  3. Thesis statement: A direct statement of your position, qualified as necessary
  4. Your most plausible reasons and evidence
  5. Conclusion: Reiteration of shared values

For more on outlining, see Chapter 11.

Whatever organizational strategy you adopt, do not hesitate to change your outline as necessary while drafting and revising. For instance, you might find it more effective to hold back on presenting your own position until you have discussed unacceptable alternatives. Or you might find a more powerful way to order the reasons for supporting your position. The purpose of an outline is to identify the basic components of your argument and to help you organize them effectively, not to lock you into a particular structure.