1. Introduction (0.5 to 1.5 pages): situate your topic into a broader issue and explain why it is important, provide any necessary background the reader might need, present your thesis statement (i.e. main position), and describe the organization of the paper.
2. Body (4 to 6 pages): provide 2 to 4 arguments in favour of your thesis, at least half of which should draw upon course concepts to some degree – for each argument, explain it, support it with evidence (e.g. research), and tie it back to your thesis.
3. Conclusion (0.5 to 1.5 pages): briefly summarize your overall argument and tie the individual arguments together, clarify the contribution of your position to the broader issue (and perhaps identify further questions or issues raised by your paper).
These guidelines are not rigid. You do not necessarily have to do everything in the exact way or order specified above, as long as your writing is clear and persuasive as a whole. Many stylistic decisions are up to you (e.g. Will headings benefit the organization of your paper? Is it helpful to include some additional information in footnotes?).
