Adapted from: Cheryl Hoy

GSW 1110

ARGUING A POSITION ESSAY # 2

PROPOSAL AND PREWRITING WORKSHEET
1. Topic:
2. Purpose: To persuade.
Formulate a debatable question about your topic.

3. Explore both sides of the issue. List as many reasons for and as many reasons against it as you
can. Ask your classmates their opinions.
Some say YES, because...
Reason 1:

Reason 2:

Reason 3:

Some say NO, because...

Reason 1:

Reason 2:

Reason 3:

4. Then formulate the tentative position you take on the issue and at least three reasons for it:
I believe that

because (1)
(3)

, (2)
, and (4)

,
.

5. Consider your audience. Fill out one Audience Values Exploration sheet for the first essay
(salmon-colored sheet in your GSW 1110 portfolio).

Adapted from: Cheryl Hoy

GSW 1110

6. On the next few pages, jot down ideas for developing each supporting, opposing, and refuting
point. For each supporting, opposing, and refuting point, include two pieces of evidence for
support. The first supporting reason building block is set up for you to use as model for the
other paragraphs.

First Supporting Reason: (Follow this building block pattern)

Topic Sentence (what point will be developed in this paragraph?):
Explanation of Topic Sentence (why is this point important to this argument?):
First Example or Piece of Evidence:
Explanation of First Example/Evidence (how does this example or piece of evidence illustrate or support this point?):
Second Example or Piece of Evidence:
Explanation of Second Example/Evidence (how does this example or piece of evidence illustrate or support this
point?):
Wrap-up Sentence (how do the two pieces of evidence relate to each other and support this point?):

Second Supporting Reason:

(Follow the building block pattern)

Third Supporting Reason:

(Follow the building block pattern)

Fourth Supporting Reason: (optional)

(Follow the building block pattern)

First Opposing Reason:

(Follow the building block pattern)

Adapted from: Cheryl Hoy

GSW 1110

YOUR RESPONSE to first opposing reason:

(Follow the building block pattern)

7. Introduction: What is your issue? Who is involved? What is a very brief history of this
issue? Who is affected? What is your position on the issue; i.e. what is your thesisyour
position?

8. Conclusion: What can be learned from your essay? What are the advantages or disadvantages
of your argument for your freshmen class? What are the positive and/or negative implications of
your argument for future BGSU students, faculty, or community? What are the positive and/or
negative implications of your argument for BGSU?

9. Finally, design a logical organizational pattern for your essay. Consider different ways of
structuring your essay but be accurate in the placement of the counterargument/opposing view.
Does your counterargument argue against your thesis? If so, should it be placed immediately after
your introductory paragraph? Does your counterargument/opposing view argue against a specific
point you develop in your essay? If so, then it should be placed immediately after that specific
point. Is your refute/response to the counterargument/opposing view developed in its own
paragraph? The refute/response should be placed immediately after the
counterargument/opposing view to which it responds? Be sure your organizational pattern
(outline) contains an introduction with your thesis, a body section with supporting reasons,
opposing arguments, responses to opposing arguments, and a conclusion.
Sketch an outline below: