Introduce the Problem or Research Question that is the Paper’s Focus
Why is this a problem? What would solving it help or solve?
- Provide factual background.
- If appropriate, dramatize with an anecdote.
- Establish significance as a problem, citing experts or observers.
- Explain your purpose: to change audience attitudes or behavior? To inform?
Review the Literature
What have others already said, and how is that relevant to the problem or question?
- Cite published studies, interviews, comments, experiments, etc.
- Address the problem or question.
- Address popular assumptions.
Introduce Your Argument Based on Evidence
What does your understanding of others’ arguments about the problem or question lead you to believe?
- State your argument or claim explicitly.
Present the Support for your Argument
What are your reasons for believing what you believe? For each reason, what specific evidence did you find that convinced you?
- Consider what kind of evidence your audience will find most persuasive.
- Include varied types of evidence.
- Address counter-arguments.
Explain the Significance of your Argument
Why does this matter? What’s at stake for your audience? What might be other avenues for research?
- What might happen if the audience doesn’t act, or the problem isn’t solved?
- What questions remain? What are the next steps?
- How does your argument resolve some part of the problem? What part remains unresolved?