Subject:
Date:____________________
Overall Assertion (Claim)
Supporting Assertions
What’s being implied or assumed by
each assertion?
Are any of these assertions, implications, 1._______________________________________
or assumptions unreasonable? If so,
specify for each.
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Based on the reasonability of the
assertions and their implications, can I
agree with the author’s argument?
OR
Are there obvious exceptions that come
to mind which suggest that the author’s
claim is either:
a. Too broad and needs to be narrowed?
b. Or that only part of it is true and it
should be slightly altered?
OR
Do you find the author’s assertions and
their implications or assumptions
entirely unreasonable?
Name:_____ ______________
Period:____________________
1._______________________________________
_________________________________________
a._______________________________________
b._______________________________________
c._______________________________________
d._______________________________________
e._______________________________________
1._______________________________________
a._______________________________________
b._______________________________________
c._______________________________________
d._______________________________________
e._______________________________________
a._______________________________________
b._______________________________________
c._______________________________________
d._______________________________________
e._______________________________________
Your thesis statement that defends the author:
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Reword the author’s Overall Assertion in qualified
terms:
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
(this functions as your thesis statement)
Your own unique perspective on the subject, one
that directly challenges the author’s Overall
Assertion:_______________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(this functions as your thesis statement)
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _
If defending (or qualifying), what
examples will you use from your own
knowledge to support the author?
If challenging, what examples will you
use from your own knowledge?
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If defending or challenging, what are
some potential counterarguments you
should address?
If qualifying, what are the important
exceptions to the author’s claim? Or, what
examples will you use to show that only part
of the claim is wrong?
(This can function as a turning point in your essay that
takes the place of the counterargument)
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1.______________________________________
1a.____________________________________
(state the assertion or implication each example linked to)
2.________________________________________
2a.______________________________________
3.________________________________________
3a.______________________________________
4.________________________________________
4a.______________________________________
5.________________________________________
5a.______________________________________
6.________________________________________
6a.______________________________________
1.________________________________________
1a.______________________________________
(state the assertion or implication each example is linked to)
2.________________________________________
2a.______________________________________
3.________________________________________
3a.______________________________________
4.________________________________________
4a.______________________________________
5._________________________________________
5a._______________________________________
6._________________________________________
6a._______________________________________
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1._________________________________________
1a._______________________________________
________________________________(refutation)
2._________________________________________
2a.______________________________________
_______________________________ (refutation)
1._________________________________________
2._________________________________________
3._________________________________________
4._________________________________________
5._________________________________________
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__________________________________________
Ideas for establishing my credibility __________________________________________
(ethos)in the introduction __________________________________________

Relevant background material for why __________________________________________

this is an important issue that needs __________________________________________
discussing ___________________________________________

Ideas for conclusion (What’s been __________________________________________

accomplished and what’s still left to be __________________________________________
done? Call for action? Hope for the __________________________________________
future?)