1. State the issue succinctly and as a question, starting with the word "Should". " the question: Should the insanity defense be permitted in criminal trials?
2. Introduce your position on the issue and identify briefly the reasons that justify that position.
3. For each of your reasons justifying your position on the issue, pre.pare one pa.ragraph that provides some detail about that reason. Each reason should be defended in a separate par.agraph - that is, four arguments supporting your position should produce four paragraphs expanding on those arguments.
4. Acknowledge the opposing position on the issue and identify briefly the reasons that those holding this position use as justification.
5. As was the case in defending the opposing position, pre.pare one parag.raph that provides some detail about that reason - again, each reason detailed in a separate par.agraph.
6. Finally, prep.are a discussion detailing your personal position on the issue and the reasons why you found the arguments compelling and not compelling in selecting either "yes" or "no" on the issue