Purpose of an Outline
This is the primary function of creating an outline for an argumentative essay.
What is to organize and structure the main points and supporting evidence before writing the full essay?
This type of thesis statement clearly states the writer’s position and previews the structure of the argument.
What is a argumentative or persuasive thesis?
This component of a body paragraph in an outline represents the paragraph’s primary idea or reason, linking it back to the thesis.
What is the topic sentence?
This is the key purpose of including a counterargument in an argumentative outline.
What is to anticipate and address opposing viewpoints?
This part of an outline specifies how each paragraph will smoothly connect to the next.
What are transition phrases or sentences?
Outlines help ensure logical flow and coherence in an essay by identifying this element at the beginning of each section.
What is the topic sentence?
In an outline, the thesis typically appears in this section, giving the writer a clear focus for the rest of the essay.
What is the introduction?
A good outline will ensure that each body paragraph includes this, which strengthens the paragraph by offering evidence or examples.
What is supporting evidence?
The rebuttal section of an outline should do this in response to a counterargument.
What is to refute or weaken the opposing viewpoint?
Effective transitions in an outline can do all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Make the argument seem fragmented
B) Create coherence between ideas
C) Help the reader follow the writer's logic
What is A) Make the argument seem fragmented?
An outline helps the writer identify and prevent this problem, which can occur when an essay lacks a clear focus or structure.
What is a disorganized or rambling argument?
An outline can help refine the thesis by helping writers identify this, which allows the thesis to remain specific and debatable.
What is the central problem or question?
In an outline, the writer must specify this type of evidence to be included in each body paragraph to ensure the argument is well-supported.
What is a quote, data, or example?
A strong rebuttal is based on this, which provides logical reasons and evidence to disprove the counterargument.
What is evidence or logical reasoning?
This transition type in an outline links the body paragraphs back to the thesis or the central argument.
What is a tie-back?
When creating an outline, it is important to specify this for each body paragraph to clarify the relationship between the paragraph's content and the thesis.
What is the main argument or reason?
This is a potential drawback of a thesis that is too vague, which an outline helps to avoid.
What is a lack of direction or a weak argument?
This is the function of the "counterargument" in a body paragraph outline, which challenges the writer's position.
What is to acknowledge opposing views and address potential weaknesses in the argument?
This is a common pitfall when writing rebuttals in an outline, which weakens the overall argument.
What is ignoring or dismissing the counterargument without addressing it?
This transition strategy is especially important when moving from one major section of the essay (e.g., introduction to body) or between different types of evidence.
What is a signpost or roadmap?
In a well-structured outline, each main point or argument should ideally correspond to this key component in the final essay.
What is a paragraph or section of the essay?
In an outline, each supporting point should directly relate to and support this central concept.
What is the thesis statement?
When outlining a body paragraph, this is how you ensure that the argument in the paragraph connects back to the thesis.
What is a tie-back or conclusion sentence?
When structuring an outline, it's essential to do this with both the counterargument and rebuttal to maintain the essay's logical flow.
What is balance or fairness in addressing both sides?
In an outline, this section is where the writer may include a sentence that anticipates the counterarguments to be addressed later in the essay, improving the flow.
What is a counterargument transition?