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 12 Steps to
Planning an Argmentative Essay
Brainstorming
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Underline key words
3. On a separate sheet of paper, list the groups of people involved in this
controversy
4. On the same paper, draw a line making two columns.
--- At the top of one column, write For
_____________
--- At the top of the other column, write Against
____________
5. Read your list of the people /groups involved in this controversy (3). Identify the
main group of people you think would most likely be FOR ______________. Pretend you are a
member of that group. For 3 minutes, write all the reasons you can think of FOR
____________________.
6. Identify the main group of people you think would most likely be AGAINST
_______________. Pretend you are a member of that group. For 3 minutes, write all the
reasons you can think of AGAINST __________________.
Writing a Thesis and Supporting Statements
7. Read
over your previous writing and choose a side that you can best logically support
8. Write a thesis statement conveying your stance on this issue
Reread your brainstormed list of reasons that support your viewpoint (thesis) and write
three sentences that convey three different ideas supporting your thesis.
Writing a counterargument or concession statement
9. Reread your brainstormed list of reasons that support your viewpoint (thesis) and
write three sentences that convey three different ideas supporting your thesis.
10. Reread your brainstormed list of reasons that support the "other side"
(that with which you have chosen to disagree) and identify their best reasons.
11. Write a "concession" statement
OR
12. Write a statement "addressing" but not supporting that argument (other
side).
Sample Question
Recent statistics indicate that millions of people log onto the
Internet each day at home, work and school. But some employers and school administrators
are concerned about their employees or students abusing the internet; that is, using
work/school computers and time to surf the net, chatter away in chat rooms, or visit
controverisal websites dealing with topics such as pornography. In response to these
practices, many businesses and schools monitor (sometimes electronically) internet use,
and "abusers" are reprimanded or barred from further computer use. Do employers
and schools administrators have the right to take such measures?
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