Argumentative Essay Outline Templates: Copy, Fill, Done

INTRODUCTION (150-200 words)

• Hook (question, statistic, quote, anecdote)

• Background context (2-3 sentences)

• Thesis statement (your position + main reasons)

BODY PARAGRAPH 1 (200-250 words)

• Topic sentence (main argument #1)

• Evidence (facts, statistics, expert quotes)

• Analysis (explain how the evidence proves the point)

• Transition sentence to next paragraph

BODY PARAGRAPH 2 (200-250 words)

• Topic sentence (main argument #2)

• Evidence (supporting facts and data)

• Analysis (connect evidence to thesis)

• Transition to next point

BODY PARAGRAPH 3 (250-300 words)

• Counterargument (strongest opposing view)

• Acknowledgment (why others believe this)

• Refutation (evidence disproving counterargument)

• Transition to conclusion

CONCLUSION (150-200 words)

• Restated thesis (differently worded)

• Summary of main points (brief)

• Broader implications or call to action

• Strong closing sentence

TOTAL: 1,500-2,000 words

Rule: One main idea per paragraph. If you have 5 main arguments, you need 5 body paragraphs.

Recommendation: Sentence outlines offer the best balance of time investment and usefulness for most argumentative essays.

Fill-in-the-Blank Classical Template

Topic: _______________________________

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Hook (choose one): - Surprising statistic: _____________________________

- Provocative question: _______________________________

- Relevant anecdote: _______________________________

- Bold statement: _______________________________

B. Background context (2-3 sentences): - _______________________________ - _______________________________ - _______________________________

C. Thesis statement (your position + main reasons): ___________________________

II. NARRATION (Optional - can merge with intro) 

A. Why this issue matters: - _______________________________

B. Key terms to define: - _______________________________

C. Current situation: - _______________________________

III. CONFIRMATION - Body Paragraph 1 

A. Topic sentence (first main argument): - _______________________________

B. Evidence supporting this argument: - Fact/statistic: __________________________

- Expert quote: _______________________________

- Example: ________________________

C. Analysis (explain how evidence proves your point): - _________________________

D. Appeals used: - Ethos (credibility): _______________________________

- Logos (logic): _______________________________

- Pathos (emotion - use sparingly): _______________________________

E. Transition to next argument: - _______________________________

IV. CONFIRMATION - Body Paragraph 2 

A. Topic sentence (second main argument): - ____________________________

B. Evidence: - ____________________________ - _______________________________

C. Analysis: - _______________________________

D. Appeals used: - Ethos: ______________________

- Logos: _________________________

E. Transition: - _______________________________

V. CONFIRMATION - Body Paragraph 3 

A. Topic sentence (third main argument): - _______________________________

B. Evidence: - _______________________________ - _______________________________

C. Analysis: - _______________________________

D. Appeals used: - Logos (primary): _______________________________

E. Transition to refutation: - _______________________________

VI. REFUTATION 

A. Strongest counterargument: - Critics argue that ______________________________

B. Why some hold this view: - _______________________________

C. Acknowledge any validity: - While it's true that _______________________________

D. Refute with evidence: - However, this fails because ______________________________ -       Evidence: _______________________________

E. Transition to conclusion: - _______________________________

VII. CONCLUSION 

A. Restated thesis (use different wording): - _______________________________

B. Brief summary of 3 main arguments: - First: ________________

- Second: ________________

- Third: __________________________

C. Broader implications or call to action: - _______________________________

D. Strong closing sentence: - _______________________________

Fill-in-the-Blank Toulmin Template

Topic: _______________________________

I. INTRODUCTION 

A. Hook and background: - _______________________________

B. Claim (your thesis): - _______________________________

II. CLAIM (State your position clearly) 

A. Main claim: - _______________________________

B. Why this claim matters: - _______________________________

C. Scope of claim: - _______________________________

III. GROUNDS (Evidence Supporting Claim)

Body Paragraph 1 

A. Primary evidence #1: - _______________________________

B. Primary evidence #2: - _______________________________

C. Primary evidence #3: - _______________________________

D. How this evidence directly supports claim: - _______________________________

IV. WARRANT (Why Evidence Supports Claim)

Body Paragraph 2

A. Reasoning that connects evidence to claim: - __________

B. Underlying assumptions: - We assume that _______________________________

C. Logical principle at work: - _______________________________

D. Why this reasoning is valid: - _______________________________

V. BACKING (Support for Your Warrant)

Body Paragraph 3

A. Additional evidence supporting your reasoning: - ______________

B. Expert testimony or research validating warrant: - ___________________________

C. Real-world examples demonstrating principle: - _____________________________

D. Why your reasoning is credible: - _______________________________

VI. QUALIFIER (Acknowledge Limitations)

Body Paragraph 4 

A. Qualifying words for your claim: - "In most cases," "Probably," "Usually," "Likely"

B. Modified claim with qualifier: - _______________________________

C. Conditions under which claim holds: - _______________________________

D. Why qualifier strengthens rather than weakens: - ____________________________

VII. REBUTTAL (Address Counter-Conditions)

Body Paragraph 5 

A. Exceptions to your claim: - Your claim might not hold when _________________

B. Strongest counterargument: - Opponents argue that ________________________

C. Refutation of counterargument: - This objection fails because _______________

- Evidence: _______________________________

D. Why your qualified claim still stands: - _______________________________

VIII. CONCLUSION A. Restated claim with qualifier: - ___________________________

B. Summary of grounds-warrant-backing chain: - _______________________________

C. Significance of qualified position: - _______________________________

D. Implications for policy/action: - _______________________________

Fill-in-the-Blank Rogerian Template

Topic: _______________________________

I. INTRODUCTION (Establish Neutral Ground) 

A. Identify problem objectively: - _______________________________

B. Establish shared concern for both sides: - Everyone agrees that ______________

C. Why this issue matters to all: - _______________________________

D. NO thesis yet - just set up dialogue: - _______________________________

II. OPPOSING VIEW SUMMARY (Present Their Case Fairly) 

A. Introduce opposing position respectfully: - Many people believe that _______

B. Their strongest argument #1: - ____________

- Evidence they use: _____________

C. Their strongest argument #2: - ____________

- Evidence they use: _____________

D. Their strongest argument #3: - ____________

- Evidence they use: _____________

E. Why they hold this position: - They value _________

- They're concerned about __________

F. Present without judgment or bias:

Avoid words like "claim," "merely believe," and "unfortunately."

Use neutral language: "argue," "contend," "maintain."

III. STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING (Validate Their Concerns) 

A. Acknowledge validity in their position: - These concerns about _____________ are legitimate

B. Identify common values: - Both sides want __________

- We all value __________

C. Find shared goals: - Everyone seeks _______________________________

D. Show genuine understanding: - It's understandable why ____________________

E. Build trust through empathy: - Given ___________, their position makes sense

IV. YOUR POSITION (Now Introduce Your View) 

A. Present your position: - While respecting these concerns, ____________________

B. Frame as complementary not oppositional: - This perspective adds __________

- Rather than contradicting, it ________________

C. Your main argument #1: - __________________

- Evidence: ______________________

D. Your main argument #2: - __________________

- Evidence: ______________________

E. Your main argument #3: - ___________________

- Evidence: _____________________

F. Connect to shared values identified earlier: - This approach also achieves _________________

G. Maintain respectful tone: - Avoid attacking opposition - Use inclusive language ("we," "our")

V. COMPROMISE/MIDDLE GROUND (Propose Win-Win Solution) 

A. Middle ground solution: - What if we _______________________________?

B. How this addresses their concerns: - This solution protects __________________

- It prevents _______________________________

C. How this addresses your concerns: - While also ensuring _______

- And promoting ________

D. Benefits to both sides: - Opponents gain _____________

- Proponents gain _____________

E. Shared benefits to all: - Everyone benefits from _____________________________

F. Path forward together: - By working cooperatively ___________________________

VI. CONCLUSION 

A. Restate shared values: - _______________________________

B. Emphasize common ground found: - _______________________________

C. Proposed solution summary: - _______________________________

D. Call for dialogue and understanding: - _______________________________

Gun Control Argumentative Filled Outline 

Thesis: The call for stricter gun control policies is a must in our society today.

Point 1: Guns are one of the leading causes of violence in the United States

Guns are too easily obtained for any reason by anyone.

a. The United States is one of the easiest countries in which to purchase

• In 24 states, anyone who is 18 or older can walk into a store, fill out a form, and leave with a gun.
• The Brady Bill has not gone far

b. The United States has an estimated 211 million firearms in

• Of these, 70 million are
• One in every two households contains a

c. Gun violence occurs in our streets, schoolyards, and

Point 2. Laws should be passed, requiring gun owners to be licensed in the same way car drivers are

1. Obtaining a license would require a background check, fingerprinting, and passing a firearms training course
2. Gun purchases should be limited to one a
3. Stiff penalties should be enacted for stealing a
4. Gun dealers should also be licensed

• They should be required to have a background
• They should pay an annual fee of $3000 to operate a gun

Point 3. Young children and teens are desensitized to our guns

• In some neighborhoods, many of the children expect to die violently, probably by a
• Even though we live in the world's richest, strongest, freest nation, our children do not have the freedom to believe that one day they will be adults.

Point 4. People are afraid that everyone else has a gun, so they buy one themselves, for

• Guns in the home are five times more likely to kill a resident of the home than an intruder to the
• Having a gun in the home makes the home less safe, not more

Point 5. The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is used to support gun control

1. This Amendment does not guarantee everyone the right to bear
2. The Supreme Court has ruled that this Amendment guarantees that states have the right to organize

Point 6. The National Rifle Association is one of the richest, most powerful lobbies in the

1. The NRA asserts that "guns don't kill people; people kill "
2. The NRA claims that gun laws will take guns from law-abiding citizens and leave guns in the hands of

• This is a scare tactic because no legislation has been proposed to take guns from serious

Conclusion: Anyone who has a handgun in the home is a potential criminal because, if a child gets the gun and hurts or even kills someone, the parent(s) should be held responsible.

Owning a gun is no longer a necessity for feeding and protecting citizens, and uncontrolled gun sales have led us to even less safety as a result. Therefore, stricter gun control laws are essential to the development of a society less frustrated by the fear of gun violence.