1. Planning an argument

2. Planning an argument
Decide on the main points that best support your proposal

3. Deciding on the main points
Example:
Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses

4. Deciding on the main points
Example:
Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses
Draw up a list of pro and con reasons

5. PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses
Pro
PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Students should exercise on their own time, not for credit
School is for study, not play
One gym course is not going to turn a poor athlete into a good one
Do taxpayers realize they are paying for students to bowl and play badminton?
PE courses can be dangerous

6. PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses
Pro
PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Students should exercise on their own time, not for credit
School is for study, not play
One gym course is not going to turn a poor athlete into a good one
Do taxpayers realize they are paying for students to bowl and play badminton?
PE courses can be dangerous
Con
Physical education is a critical part of education: “a sound mind = a sound body”
Students need an occasional break from lectures, textbooks, and tests
A few hours of PE courses never hurt anyone
What good is improving your mind if your body is going to pieces?
PE courses teach valuable social skills
Most students enjoy taking PE courses.

7. Planning an argument
Decide on the main points that best support your proposal

8. Planning an argument
Decide on the main points that best support your proposal
Address the main counterargument

9. PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses
Pro
PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Students should exercise on their own time, not for credit
School is for study, not play
One gym course is not going to turn a poor athlete into a good one
Do taxpayers realize they are paying for students to bowl and play badminton?
PE courses can be dangerous
Con
Physical education is a critical part of education: “a sound mind = a sound body”
Students need an occasional break from lectures, textbooks, and tests
A few hours of PE courses never hurt anyone
What good is improving your mind if your body is going to pieces?
PE courses teach valuable social skills
Most students enjoy taking PE courses.

10. PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses
Pro
PE grades unfairly lower the GPAs of some good students
Students should exercise on their own time, not for credit
School is for study, not play
One gym course is not going to turn a poor athlete into a good one
Do taxpayers realize they are paying for students to bowl and play badminton?
PE courses can be dangerous
Con
Physical education is a critical part of education: “a sound mind = a sound body”
Students need an occasional break from lectures, textbooks, and tests
A few hours of PE courses never hurt anyone
What good is improving your mind if your body is going to pieces?
PE courses teach valuable social skills
Most students enjoy taking PE courses.

11. Thesis statement – Students should not be required to take physical education courses
Arguments
Although physical fitness is important to everyone, it can be appropriately achieved through extracurricular activities rather than in required physical education courses.
Grades in PE classes may have harmful effects on the GPAs of students who are academically strong but physically challenged.
For students who are not athletically inclined, PE courses can be humiliating and even dangerous.

12. Once you have key arguments…

13. Once you have key arguments…
begin gathering supporting materials

14. Once you have key arguments…
begin gathering supporting materials

15. Pathos outplays Logos