Formal Outline Example[footnoteRef:1] [1: Suppose the topic of the article assigned to you for the presentation is: “How successfully families handle their kids.” Clearly, your “real” outline(s) has (have) to be much more detailed than this sample. Also, it is important that you paraphrase the issues, instead of copying the texts. The main, sub-, and sub-sub headings should in in words or phrases, not in full sentences. About the format, pay attention to the alphanumerical numbering and alignment. ] Your name ________________________________ Due date of the assignment: _________________ Title(s) of the reading (identify both the specific Part, Chapter, and the author(s): ____________________________________________________________________________________ Thesis (in 1 sentence/the main argument/issue): Although these are difficult times to be raising teenagers, successful families are finding ways to cope with the challenges. I. Meeting the challenge of spending quality time together A. Barriers to spending quality time 1. Increased working hours 2. Rising divorce rates 3. Women in workforce B. Danger of lack of quality time C. Ways found to spend time together 1. Working less and scaling back lifestyle 2. Homeschooling II. Meeting the challenge of creating sense of community A. Lack of traditional community ties B. Ways found to create sense of community 1. Intentional communities 2. Religious times III. Meeting the challenge of limiting the negative impact of media and technology A. Negative impact of media and technology 1. Creation of environment without protection 2. Flood of uncontrolled, inappropriate information B. Ways of controlling media and technology 1. Banning TV 2. Using technology in beneficial ways IV. Summary (Listing in words and phrases) all the major arguments/points A. B. C. … Conclusion (stating the main argument in 1 sentence; retain the thesis idea but in different words) Questions [Provide 3 thought-provoking and important questions specifically relevant to the main issues of the reading for class discussion; not to be too broad/general or too narrow/specific]: 1. 2. 3. ENGL 100 For this assignment, you will write a 5-paragraph essay of at least 400 words. Argument Essay Topic Choices Choose 1 of the following topics to write about for your argument essay. Use support from outside sources and Scripture where applicable. Keep in mind that this support must be in addition to the 400-word minimum, which is required for the essay. Also, give credit to your sources by enclosing any direct quotations in quotation marks and stating the origin of the source. If you have been inspired by a different topic that is not listed here, email your instructor to request approval for the topic of your choice. Be specific with your intentions and email him/her at least 3 days in advance of the assignment’s due date. 1. Pick a type of learning environment like homeschoolin.

1. Formal Outline Example[footnoteRef:1] [1: Suppose the topic
of the article assigned to you for the presentation is: “How
successfully families handle their kids.” Clearly, your “real”
outline(s) has (have) to be much more detailed than this sample.
Also, it is important that you paraphrase the issues, instead of
copying the texts. The main, sub-, and sub-sub headings should
in in words or phrases, not in full sentences. About the format,
pay attention to the alphanumerical numbering and alignment.
]
Your name ________________________________ Due date
of the assignment: _________________
Title(s) of the reading (identify both the specific Part, Chapter,
and the author(s):
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
Thesis (in 1 sentence/the main argument/issue): Although these
are difficult times to be raising teenagers, successful families
are finding ways to cope with the challenges.
I. Meeting the challenge of spending quality time together
A. Barriers to spending quality time
1. Increased working hours
2. Rising divorce rates
3. Women in workforce
B. Danger of lack of quality time
C. Ways found to spend time together
1. Working less and scaling back lifestyle
2. Homeschooling

2. II. Meeting the challenge of creating sense of community
A. Lack of traditional community ties
B. Ways found to create sense of community
1. Intentional communities
2. Religious times
III. Meeting the challenge of limiting the negative impact of
media and technology
A. Negative impact of media and technology
1. Creation of environment without protection
2. Flood of uncontrolled, inappropriate information
B. Ways of controlling media and technology
1. Banning TV
2. Using technology in beneficial ways
IV. Summary (Listing in words and phrases) all the major
arguments/points
A.
B.
C.
…
Conclusion (stating the main argument in 1 sentence; retain the
thesis idea but in different words)
Questions [Provide 3 thought-provoking and important
questions specifically relevant to the main issues of the reading
for class discussion; not to be too broad/general or too
narrow/specific]:
1.
2.
3.

3. ENGL 100
For this assignment, you will write a 5-paragraph essay of at
least 400 words.
Argument Essay Topic Choices
Choose 1 of the following topics to write about for your
argument essay. Use support from outside sources and Scripture
where applicable. Keep in mind that this support must be in
addition to the 400-word minimum, which is required for the
essay. Also, give credit to your sources by enclosing any direct
quotations in quotation marks and stating the origin of the
source.
If you have been inspired by a different topic that is not listed
here, email your instructor to request approval for the topic of
your choice. Be specific with your intentions and email him/her
at least 3 days in advance of the assignment’s due date.
1. Pick a type of learning environment like homeschooling,
charter school, public school, online learning, etc., and argue in
favor of that particular setting.
2. What do you think of the “being green” philosophy? Do you
think that recycling and making environment-friendly choices is
a way to honor God’s creation? Or has society taken a good idea
a little too far? Explain your opinion on this issue.
3. How do you feel about the fast food industry? Has it
drastically impacted the nutrition of the past few generations?
Or is an individual responsible to take charge of his/her own
nutritional choices? Defend your point of view on this topic.
4. Are news reporters and news stations out of control? Or do
you believe that the media as a whole reports the news with
objectivity? Support your ideas about this topic with
explanations from current events.
5. Choose 1 of your favorite things: a movie, a song, a writer, a

4. story, an actor/actress, a sports figure, etc. Explain why you
believe that this favorite thing is the best and persuade your
reader to feel the same way.
6. Do you believe in intelligent design (creationism), evolution,
or theistic evolution? Share evidence that persuades your reader
to believe as you do.
7. If someone asked you to defend your faith in Jesus Christ,
how would you do it? Use this argumentative assignment as an
opportunity to explain your belief that Jesus Christ is Lord of
all.
8. The fruits of the Spirit include: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
(Galatians 5:22–23). Which of these fruits is the most beneficial
in life? Justify your opinion through personal examples.
9. Choose an influential figure in the Bible (aside from Jesus
Christ) and argue for the effectiveness of his/her testimony.
10. Mark 8:36 states: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Rationalize the
concept that spiritual riches are far greater than the riches of
this world.
11. Consider Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he
should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Discuss the importance of discipline in respect to raising
children.
12. James 2:17–20 states: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is
dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I
have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will
shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is
one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is
dead?” Provide reasons and examples to argue the truth that
good works are an important aspect of living out one’s faith.
Argument Essay – Prewriting Template
NOTICE:

5. · There are 5 steps for this assignment: Planning (1), Rough
Draft (2), Revised Draft (3), Edited Draft (4) and Final Draft
(5).
· In order to complete the writing assignment correctly and to
receive the maximum amount of points for your work, you must
complete all 5 steps.
· Points will be deducted for any missing step.
· Review the assignment instructions and the grading rubric
carefully to ensure that you have completed all of the required
elements before submitting your prewriting assignment.
Step 1: Argument Essay Thesis Statement and Planning
Directions:Select a topic from the list of options in the
document entitled Argument Essay Topic Choices.
Then,complete all of the elements of the planning; otherwise,
the content of your piece will not be accurate.
My Topic:
My Attitude:
My Purpose:
My Thesis Statement:
My Audience:
1. How much does my audience know about my subject?
2. Age? Gender? Race? Social status? Location? Religion?
3. Where does my audience stand on the issue; are they opposed
or neutral?
Outline:
Step 2: Argument Essay Rough Draft
Directions: Write a rough draft that follows your outline, begins
with a strong introduction that includes an attention getter and
your thesis statement, and includes 3 body paragraphs that
explain each of your main points. Do not worry about spelling
or grammar; just let your thoughts flow. End with a good
concluding paragraph that restates your main arguments and

6. calls your audience to action or change. It must be at least 400
words, no less and not too much more.
Step 3: Argument Essay Revised Draft
Directions: Copy your Argument Essay Rough Draft (from
above) and paste it below, click on “Tools” or “Review” if you
are using Microsoft Word, and hit “Track Changes.” This is so
your instructor can see all the changes you make. Begin reading
through your rough draft and make changes to the content as
you see fit. If necessary, add more information or details to
support your argument. Add transitional words or phrases to
help the essay flow in a logical order. Consider the following
questions:1. Does my introduction begin general (with an
attention getter) and get specific (through my thesis statement)?
2. Do I have a clear thesis statement at end of introduction that
provides an overview of the main points to be discussed?
3. Does my essay have 3 body paragraphs that discuss the main
points of my thesis?4. Do each of my body paragraphs contain
transitional topic sentences?
5. Do I have a clear, effective concluding paragraph that
contains a restatement of my thesis and a final application?
6. Do my thoughts flow in a logical order and sequence?
7. Does my essay have unity, coherence, and adequate
development?
Revise your piece to ensure that the answer to all of the above
questions is “yes.” Then, save the changes.
Step 4: Argument Essay Edited Draft
Directions: Turn off the “Track Changes” feature. Copy your
Argument Essay Revised Draft, paste it below, click on “Tools”
or “Review” if you are using Microsoft Word, and make sure
you turn on the “Track Changes” feature. Edit for any spelling,
punctuation, or grammatical errors. Focus especially on revising
for the grammar concepts you have studied throughout the
course. Consider the following questions:

7. 1. Are all of my sentences all joined correctly (no fragments,
comma splices, run-ons, or fused sentences)?
2. Are my sentence structures varied (use different ways of
combining sentences)?
3. Did I avoid shifts in person, verb tense, or singular/plural
words?
4. Are my spelling and punctuation correct? (Use the spell
check feature, but also double check to ensure the spell check
program caught all errors/typos.)
5. Are all of my words in a series parallel?
6. Did I avoid the use of contractions?
7. Did I avoid the use of second person point of view (you)?
If your answer to all of the above questions is “yes,” then go
ahead and save these changes.
NOTE:Use of contractions (can’t, won’t, doesn’t, etc.) and
second person (any form of the pronoun “you”) is strictly
prohibited and will result in loss of points on writing
assignments.
Argument Essay – Final Template
Step 5: Argument Essay Final Draft
Directions: Turn off the “Track Changes” feature. Copy and
paste your edited draft. Select the entire essay and choose
“Accept Changes” if the document does not automatically make
the changes for you. Save the changes to this document; save it
as “Argument Essay Assignment.” Then use the link provided in
Blackboard to submit the document to your instructor. The
instructor should then be able to see the entire process you took
to create your final draft.
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