Chapter Two: The Five-Step Dialectical Essay Format
An Overview of the Five Steps
A Summary of the Steps
Step One: An Overview of Your Essay: The Introductory Paragraph
State your thesis clearly using a standard thesis indicator such as “I will argue that…”
Step Two: Getting Off the Ground: Interpretation of the Target Claim
Identify the target of your investigation, using the words, “primary reason (for believing x) is that…” followed by the target itself.
Step Three: The First Strike: The Possible Criticism
In your topic sentence, make it clear that you are presenting a possible criticism. Make is a strong criticism, and make it clear which sentence from Step Two is being targeted. Use the wording, “A critic might challenge the claim that…” followed by the target claim itself.
Step Four: Hitting Back: A Response to the Criticism
In your topic sentence of this paragraph, make it clear that you are responding to Step Three and highlight which statement you are targeting. The first sentence of the paragraph should say, “One might, in response, argue against the claim that…” and follow it with the premise from Step Three to which you are responding.
Step Five: Wrapping Things Up: Your Conclusion
In the final paragraph, show why one side of the argument is stronger than the other. This can be done by affirming or rejecting the claim.
a) If you are rejecting the reply in Step Four, then the first statement of the paragraph should read, “But the claim that” and “is not convincing” and a sentence from the previous step.
b) If you are affirming the reply in Step Four, then the first statement of the paragraph should read, “The claim that” and “is not convincing” and a sentence from the previous step.
In this step, also make sure that your thesis statement (from Step One) is repeated. Do so by using the indicator “so” and your thesis itself.
(II) A Summary of the Two Models of the Dialectical Essay:
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Model One: |
The Juror’s Model |
Model Two: The Debater’s Model |
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Step One |
State your Thesis |
State your Thesis |
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Step Two |
Present the Primary Argument(s) of One of the two Opposing sides |
Present your Argument(s) for your own view on the issue of the issue |
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Step Three |
Present a criticism from the Other side (against the arg. in step Two). |
Present a criticism against your own Argument(s) |
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Step Four |
Present a plausible response from the first side to the criticism |
Present your own best response |
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Step Five |
Present Your Own View of which Side has the stronger argument. |
Explain further why your view is compelling. (don’t just repeat what you say in Step Four. |