The shape—that is, the organization or arrangement—of an argument reflects a host of factors, including audience and purpose, but it usually follows one of several patterns. We’ll discuss classical oration, induction and deduction, and the Toulmin model as four common ways to structure an argument. Keep in mind that writers often modify these structures as needed. The essential point to remember is that the organization should fit the ideas, rather than forcing ideas to fit into a prescribed organizational pattern.