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Essay Outline Sample

Write an essay outline for an argumentative essay on whether smoking should be banned in
public places. Your outline must include a claim and the type of claim it is, two supports and the
rationale for using them, and one counterargument and its rationale. Keep your answers brief.

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Rubric for Grading

9.5 to >8.75 8.75 to >7.75 7.75 to >7 7 to >0

Excellent to Very Good to Above Meets Expectations Needs Improvement
Good Average

The student has The student has The student has The student has not
provided ample provided sufficient provided details, provided sufficient
details and strong details, though though it may lack details, suggesting
rationale for the rationale may be depth and suggests poor understanding
supports and insufficient or slightly poor understanding and lack of thought.
counterargument. weak. Language is or lack of thought. The provided
Language is clear mostly clear and free The rationale is rationales are
and free from from grammatical mostly insufficient insufficient and need
grammatical errors. errors. and needs further development.
development. Language is full of
Language is errors.
somewhat clear.
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“Excellent” or “Very Good” Answer

Claim: Smoking cigarettes must be banned in public places, especially restaurants and cafes. It
is a claim of policy because I am making a recommendation. Commented [1]: Student must provide their claim and
identify what type it is.
Support 1: Second-hand or passive smoking is more likely to cause lung cancer and other
health problems.

I am using evidence for this support. I will conduct research and find medical articles that state
how those who inhale second-hand smoke are more likely to develop health problems than
those who actively smoke. I believe it is a strong support since the reader is more likely to be Commented [2]: They have to mention why they have
chosen this support.
persuaded by something that may affect them personally.
Commented [3]: Student must provide rationale for
why they think the support may be successful.
 2

Support 2: Would you like your children to develop lung cancer?

I am using an emotional appeal for my second support. I will begin with a rhetorical question
and then go into the details of how children in public places (e.g. restaurants, cafes) are Commented [4]: Student must provide details on what
vulnerable to secondhand smoke. I believe that the reader will empathize with what I am saying the support is and how they plan on using it.
since no one wants to see children suffer.

Counterargument: It is a free country, and I have every right to smoke wherever and whenever
I want.

I will begin by stating what my opposing side may argue. Then I will agree with them, noting that
yes, this is a free country. However, I will show the weakness in their argument by pointing out Commented [5]: Students have to note how they will
that their freedoms do not mean they can harm others. By smoking in public, they are approach the opposing argument and provide the
rationale for why they think readers will side with them.
endangering not just themselves, but others, especially children. I sincerely believe that the
reader will connect to my argument and see the other side as weak.

“Good” to “Average” Answer

Claim: Smoking cigarettes must be banned in public places. It is a claim of policy because I am
making a recommendation.

Support 1: Second-hand smoke is likely to cause lung cancer and other health problems.

I am using evidence for this support. I will find medical articles that mention how those who
inhale second-hand smoke are more likely to develop health problems than those who actively
smoke. Commented [6]: The student has not provided a
rationale for why they have chosen this support.
Support 2: Would you like your children to develop lung cancer?

I am using an emotional appeal for my second support. I believe that readers will empathize
because no one wants to see children suffer. Commented [7]: While they have provided a rationale
here, they did not provide details on how the support
will be presented.
Counterargument: It is a free country, and I have every right to smoke wherever and whenever
I want.

I will begin by stating what my opposing side may argue. Then I will show their weakness by
pointing out how their freedoms are hurting others. Commented [8]: Similar problem here - lacks details
and rationale.