ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE
Hook (Start your essay with an attention grabber!
Suggestions: rhetorical questions, imagery, anecdote, statistic, quote…etc.)
Introduction
Imagery:
Standards of beauty are being put to the test every day. Most women are naturally not what is seen in the magazines, or what
is portrayed through beauty pageants. Being thin, losing the right amount of weight, having the “right hair,” has become an
obsession for many young women. The media has set standards that are unrealistic for what the ‘normal’ body weight and
appearance should be. Their portrayal of ‘normal’ keeps getting thinner and thinner for women, while more body muscle for
men is encouraged. Teenage girls are still presented with unattainable images in the media that have set an unrealistic
standard of beauty, which may result in body image and self-esteem issues.
Argument/Main Idea/ Thesis (State your argument and reasons in one well-written sentence. Reasons should be in the order they will
be discussed in the Body paragraph(s). Reminders: This should be the last sentence of your introduction. Save the strongest reason for last!)
Teenage girls are still presented with unattainable images in the media that have set an unrealistic standard of beauty, which
may result in body image and self-esteem issues.
Reason #1
Body Paragraphs
Evidence for Reason 1 (Evidence gathered to support
the claim)
Warrant for Reason 1 (Explanation of why OR how the data is
supportive. This is not obvious to the reader! It’s YOUR time to
shine with VOICE!)
Evidence for Reason 1 (Evidence gathered to support Warrant for Reason 1 (Explanation of why OR how the data is
the claim. Reminder, use transitional word: moreover, supportive. This is not obvious to the reader! It’s YOUR time to
shine with VOICE!)
furthermore…etc.)
Reason #2
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE
Evidence for Reason 2 (Evidence gathered to support
the claim)
Warrant for Reason 2 (Explanation of why OR how the data is
supportive. This is not obvious to the reader! It’s YOUR time to
shine with VOICE!)
Evidence for Reason 2 (Evidence gathered to support Warrant for Reason 2 (Explanation of why OR how the data is
the claim. Reminder, use transitional word: moreover, supportive. This is not obvious to the reader! It’s YOUR time to
shine with VOICE!)
furthermore…etc.)
Rebuttal (A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim. Reminder: Use transitional phrase like however, on
the other hand, alternatively, conversely, but ... etc.)
Supporting Evidence to rebut opponent (expert
quotes, facts, statistics…etc.) to back you up!
Supporting Evidence to rebut opponent (expert quotes,
facts, statistics…etc.) to back you up!
Conclusion sentence(s) (Try to tie this back to your introduction.)
Conclus
ion
Counterclaim Paragraph
Counterclaim (a claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim. Reminder: Use transitional phrase for this)
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE
Remind reader of your claim(s) by paraphrasing important key points!
Closing Statement (Leave the reader with something to think about, such as a call to action!)
REMINDERS:
 The information for reach reason (data and warrant) can be an individual paragraph in your
Body or you can synthesize the information for all your reasons together into one Body
paragraph. It depends on the length of your argument.
 Use transitional phrases throughout your essay to ensure your information FLOWS smoothly.
(Refer to the list in your cheat sheet packet!)
 Try to make you essay compelling/original by adding VOICE (Suggestion: Use parenthetical
expressions.)
 ALWAYS cite the sources of your information.
 ALWAYS check for grammatical errors.