1. EXPLAIN the nature of conflict
2. Summarize various view points indicating you understand ideas of others and researched the topic thoroughly.
3. Define key terms and include personal experience relevant to topic.

1. Present these, main points, support /w reasons/evidence facts, stats, data, illustrative examples.
2. May include section - established common ground with intended readers.
3. Usually longest and most substantive section of essay.

1. Indicate areas in which opponent will probably agree with your thesis
2. Demonstrate you are aware of areas in which you are likely to disagree.
3. Once you show you understand opponent’s point of view, you can show how yours is superior.

1. Summarize main argument
2. Perhaps suggest what action, if any, readers ought to take
3. Gives sense of closure by restating main thesis or asserting  implications/consequences.

Adapted from Writing About Diversity. Ed. Irene Clark