1. Organization of an Argument

2. TERMS TO UNDERSTAND
Argument
Claim
Reason
Evidence
Counterclaim

3. ARGUMENT
An attempt to persuade someone to a way of thinking by using logic and evidence to support you.

4. ARGUMENT vs. PERSUASION

5. CLAIM Something stated to be true Example
Usually something that can be disputed
Example
Students should wear school uniforms.

6. REASON Why your claim is true Example
Claim: Students should wear school uniforms.
Reasons:
Students would get ready faster in the morning.
No one would get teased for their clothes.
Parents save money on school clothes.

7. THESIS STATEMENT (Magic 3)
Includes a claim and the reasons that support your claim
Outlines the topics you will cover in your essay
Example
Students should wear school uniforms because students would get ready faster in the morning, no one would get teased for their clothes, and parents will save money on school clothes.

8. INTRODUCTION
Your thesis statement is the most important part of the first paragraph of your essay. This paragraph is called the INTRODUCTION.

9. EVIDENCE The data/information that proves your claim to be true.
This includes:
Quotes
Statistics
Facts
Stories
Examples
Students would be able to get ready for school faster if they wore school uniforms. According to a education study by IMTU Inc., students spend an average of 8 minutes deciding what to wear to school. Already knowing what to wear, the same students could use those eight minutes for extra sleep or a balanced breakfast.

10. COUNTERCLAIMS
Opinions and evidence that others may bring up against your argument.
Your claim: I should be able to go to the movies this weekend with my friends.
Counterclaim (from your parents): You need to have all your chores done and finish your homework this weekend.

11. CONCLUSION
A summary of your main points, or a restatement of your thesis in different words
Ask a question that doesn’t have an easy answer
Offer a solution
Call for some sort of action
End with a warning
Suggest results or consequences

12. ARGUMENT OUTLINE 1. INTRODUCTION 2. Body Paragraph 1
Includes Claim  Thesis Statement
2. Body Paragraph 1
Includes your 1st reason and evidence to support it
3. Body Paragraph 2
Includes your 2nd reason and evidence to support it
4. Body Paragraph 3
Includes your 3rd reason and evidence to support it
5. CONCLUSION