Argumentative Detailed Outline Examples Example #1 I. Introduction: A. Attention-grabber B. Background information C. Establish significance of topic D. Thesis statement II.

Main Argument #1: A. Main Claim #1 topic sentence explaining point and reasoning. B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence III. Main Argument #2: A. Main Claim #2 topic sentence explaining point and reasoning. B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence IV. Main Argument #3: A. Main Claim #3 topic sentence explaining point and reasoning. B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence V. Counter-Argument: A. Opposing point to your argument #1 a. Your rebuttal to the opposing point b. Elaboration to back your rebuttal B. Opposing point to your argument #2 a. Your rebuttal to the opposing point b. Elaboration to back your rebuttal C. Opposing point to your argument #3 a. Your rebuttal to the opposing point b. Elaboration to back your rebuttal

VI. Conclusion: A. Summary of main claims B. Restate thesis statement C. Call to action or solution to problem Note: The counter-argument paragraph can be last or it can be before the main arguments. Example #2 I. Introduction: A. Attention-grabber B. Background information C. Establish significance of topic D. Thesis statement II. Main Argument #1: A. Main Claim #1 topic sentence explaining point and reasoning. B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence III. Counter-Argument #1: A. Opposing point to your argument #1 a. Your rebuttal to the opposing point b. Elaboration to back your rebuttal IV. Main Argument#2: A. Main Claim #2 topic sentence explaining point and reasoning. B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence V. Counter-Argument #2: A. Opposing point to your argument #2 a. Your rebuttal to the opposing point b. Elaboration to back your rebuttal VI. Main Argument #3: A. Main Claim #3 topic sentence explaining point and reasoning. B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration to back your point.

a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence V. Counter-Argument #3: A. Opposing point to your argument #3 a. Your rebuttal to the opposing point b. Elaboration to back your rebuttal VI. Conclusion: A. Summary of main claims B. Restate thesis statement C. Call to action or solution to problem Note: With this form you want to be sure that the counter-arguments that go after each argument relate to the main argument that comes before. Example #3 You will follow this example for Exceeds. I. Introduction: A. Attention-grabber B. Background information C. Establish significance of topic D. Thesis statement II. Main Argument #1: A. Counter argument #1 topic sentence stating opposing view. a. Possible concession toward opposing argument B. Your rebuttal to the opposing point a. Elaboration to back your rebuttal C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence III. Main Argument#2: A. Counter argument #2 topic sentence stating opposing view. a. Possible concession toward opposing argument B. Your rebuttal to the opposing point a. Elaboration to back your rebuttal C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence

D. Conclusion/transition sentence IV. Main Argument #3: A. Counter argument #3 topic sentence stating opposing view. a. Possible concession toward opposing argument B. Your rebuttal to the opposing point a. Elaboration to back your rebuttal C. Elaboration to back your point. a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Evidence D. Conclusion/transition sentence VI. Conclusion: D. Summary of main claims E. Restate thesis statement F. Call to action or solution to problem Note: In this case your counter-arguments should be related to your main claims in each paragraph. Any questions please e-mail kmapes@hbr429.org