Once you've stated your thesis and considered some support for it, you will need to generate an outline of how your argument might go. This will further structure and focus your thinking. Here is a simple schematic of an outline (obviously, there should be more filled in for a real outline of a real argument, and your outline will be slightly different - this is merely a schematic):
- Thesis (the overall conclusion of your argument)
- Premise one: The first point that you need to establish for your thesis.
- List sub-arguments supporting Premise One, including definitions and clarifications.
- Premise two: the second point that you need to establish for your thesis.
- List sub-arguments supporting Premise Two, including definitions and clarifications.
- Premise three: the third point that you need to establish for your thesis.
- List sub-arguments supporting Premise Three, including definitions and clarifications.
- Counter argument that undermines your reasoning.
- Response to the counter argument.
- Conclusion: state what you've demonstrated (your thesis) and summarize how. Remind your smart, ignorant (though now less so) and hostile (though now, hopefully, placated) audience what you accomplished.
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