A Few Organizational Patterns for Essays These are NOT RULES. These are also NOT FORMULA! These are NOT RULES. These are also NOT FORMULA! You still need to CHOOSE which pattern best fits your PURPOSE! You still need to CHOOSE which pattern best fits your PURPOSE! You can mix and match aspects of these. They are not set in stone! You can mix and match aspects of these. They are not set in stone!

STRAWMAN AND ONE REASON Basically, this is writing like a lawyer. You attack the opposition first, showing why opposing views are weak, then present your own view. Basically, this is writing like a lawyer. You attack the opposition first, showing why opposing views are weak, then present your own view. 1. Introduction with thesis 2. Main opposing argument (can come at the very beginning oftentimes) 3. Refute the opposition 4. Major positive reason developed

An Example… You want to go to Cancun for your senior trip but your parents forbid you to go. How do you most effectively persuade them to allow you to go? You have logical reasons for wanting to go. But before you present them, consider the reasons that your parents might have for not wanting you to go. What would those reasons be? You want to go to Cancun for your senior trip but your parents forbid you to go. How do you most effectively persuade them to allow you to go? You have logical reasons for wanting to go. But before you present them, consider the reasons that your parents might have for not wanting you to go. What would those reasons be?

Your parent’s arguments against the trip 1. safety in a foreign country 1. safety in a foreign country 2. money 2. money 3. no chaperones 3. no chaperones 4. availability of alcohol 4. availability of alcohol These are good points. However, you choose to argue against them, attempting to disprove the validity of these claims.

Your Rebuttal 1. You will be traveling with a large group from KF and will be as safe in Cancun as you would be in Houston--safer even because Cancun's crime rate is much lower than Houston's is. 1. You will be traveling with a large group from KF and will be as safe in Cancun as you would be in Houston--safer even because Cancun's crime rate is much lower than Houston's is. 2. You have saved most of the money you will need for your trip through your own hard work and will save the rest. You are not expecting your parents to pay for this trip although if they wish to help, they can. 2. You have saved most of the money you will need for your trip through your own hard work and will save the rest. You are not expecting your parents to pay for this trip although if they wish to help, they can. 3. Since all of the people you will be traveling with are at least eighteen, why would you need a chaperone? You will be off at school in a few short months, and there are no chaperones there. You will be on your own there, making your own decisions. This trip would be a good experience in making good decisions and experiencing life as an adult. 3. Since all of the people you will be traveling with are at least eighteen, why would you need a chaperone? You will be off at school in a few short months, and there are no chaperones there. You will be on your own there, making your own decisions. This trip would be a good experience in making good decisions and experiencing life as an adult. 4. Alcohol is as available in Houston as it is in Cancun. You don't drink now even though you have had many opportunities to do so. You have proven yourself trustworthy by past actions. 4. Alcohol is as available in Houston as it is in Cancun. You don't drink now even though you have had many opportunities to do so. You have proven yourself trustworthy by past actions.

CONCESSION Most useful when there is opposing information or points that can’t be refuted Most useful when there is opposing information or points that can’t be refuted Ignoring opposition reduces your credibility— this method allows you to deal with the opposition reasonably Ignoring opposition reduces your credibility— this method allows you to deal with the opposition reasonably 1. Introduction and thesis 2. Important opposing argument 3. Concession to opposition and development of positive argument

An Example of Concession Your Parent’s Claims (cons against yours) 1. safety in a foreign country 2. money 3. no chaperones 4. availability of alcohol You hate to admit, but they have good points, so you concede to these good points…

BUT YOU HAVE STRONGER CLAIMS! 1. Travel is as important in education as study from books. 1. Travel is as important in education as study from books. 2. You have worked hard for twelve years and deserve an opportunity to vacation for a few days with friends who have also worked very hard. 2. You have worked hard for twelve years and deserve an opportunity to vacation for a few days with friends who have also worked very hard. 3. You have always been a trustworthy and responsible person. You have not gotten into trouble in America and will not choose this opportunity to spend time in a Mexican jail. 3. You have always been a trustworthy and responsible person. You have not gotten into trouble in America and will not choose this opportunity to spend time in a Mexican jail.

NESTORIAN ORDER Leaves the reader with a ringing idea or poignant concept Leaves the reader with a ringing idea or poignant concept Saving the best for last leaves a strong impression as the reader leaves the essay Saving the best for last leaves a strong impression as the reader leaves the essay Start with a punch, end with a bang Start with a punch, end with a bang 1. Introduction with thesis: a strong image, figurative language, an anecdote or analogy, etc.—HOOK the reader! 2. Second best reason developed first Minor reasons Minor reasons 3. Major reason developed next 4. Conclude with another powerful image or return to and develop the opening image.

(TWO) REASONS More or less the traditional pattern. Here, you present your arguments sequentially, one right after the other. Introduction with thesis and overview of reasons Introduction with thesis and overview of reasons First reason developed First reason developed Explanation or defense (evidence) Second reason developed Second reason developedEtc.