Guide Sheet 1

Guide Sheet 1

History Makes The News

Prof. Jack Urowitz Fall 09

Breakdown and Reformation; Forming Opinion/Idea Into Argument/Pitch There are six sections that you must complete to write and support your opinion. 1. Opening (Exordium): -- Start by warming up your audience with one of the following • • • • •

a vivid image, a moving description, a joke, a key fact, something of historical consequence, a quote.

2. Thesis (Narratio): -- Now you get to your statement of interest, which includes the topic and your opinion on it. 3. Plan of Attack (Divisio): A quick overview of the points that you intend to bring up. This shows how you will prove your opinion. 4. Point by Point Elaboration: (Confirmatio): This is the long section where you spend a paragraph (at least) on each point introduced in your Plan of Attack. 5. Arguments against your Thesis (Confutatio): If appropriate, (and in most cases it is) present the strongest argument that could be brought against your thesis -- and then show why it isn't enough to disprove the main thrust of your opinion. 6. Closing (Peroratio): Step back from your thesis -- recall the image-jokekey fact-historical relevance-quote, that started your talk. Or restate your thesis with your most relevant speculation (forecast). This is where your charm comes back to take centre stage away from your methodological declarations.