Freshman Composition: Outline and Thesis Guidelines -- Proposal Argument Essay

Table of Contents

Essay 1—Proposal Argument Essay Outline and Thesis

Page 4 (Outline and Thesis)

As students review the directions page for Essay 1—Proposal Argument essay—many feel unsure as to where to begin. Some feel disconnected from what is expected in the assignment, and therefore, they request additional help and guidance.

Sample THESIS and content structure: CLICK HERE

To help get you started in the right direction for your proposal argument, see the links and advice below.

Please remember that this essay serves 2 purposes:

1. it proposes a solution to the opioid crisis in American, AND

2. it argues that the proposed solution will remedy the issues surrounding this crisis.

When reviewing the first stage of this assignment—Essay 1 outline and thesis—I often see 2 primary issues in student work:

· a lack of proposed solutions and

· missing arguments.

The outline will serve as the map for each paragraph of your essay; therefore, it is important to establish your path from the very beginning through a

1. clearly defined thesis,

2. full-sentence, detailed topic sentence for each supporting body paragraph (which will directly point back to the thesis and assert a subpoint of your argument), and

3. focused topic sentence for the counter-argument paragraph.

These basics will provide enough information to begin drafting your outline/thesis assignment.

Please keep in mind that you are not simply writing about the opioid crisis.

This is not a research paper.

You are also not writing about how you ‘feel’ about the opioid crisis.

This is not an opinion piece.

You need to argue a solution for this crisis in America and defend your argument with reliable and credible source content.

This is a Proposal Argument.

As the goal for this first essay is to familiarize you with arguments, making proposals, and source integration, I want to remind you about proper body-paragraph development.

The body-paragraphs are where you will assert the support for your argument. However, the support is not leading the essay. You will be leading the essay, and the scholarly sources will lend credible support to your overall argument.

Many instructors use different titles or acronyms to convey this same information, but in the end, the

1. assertion of the sub-point for the thesis,

2. expression of ideas to develop the concept,

3. support for the argument,

4. followed by evaluation, synthesis, and explanation of how the source proves your argument

are the basics for proper body-paragraph development.

Please see the handout for a reminder about the well-known HAMBURGER METHOD in writing.

For help with idea progression and development in a Proposal Argument, Ethical Argument, or Cause and Effect Argument assignment, please see these outline examples from “Chapter 11” of The Well-Crafted Argument.