Ethical Argument Essay Follow the sample: SAMPLE: Ethical Argument Sample Outline Thesis = The thesis statement for the ethical argument is the same as the claim in the toulmin schema – your thesis statement is your main argument. Oftentimes, you can create the thesis from an I believe statement, much like the statements you created for Assignment 2 from week 10. Just be sure you remove the “I believe” statement, as these types of statements tend to weaken your writing by stating the obvious. The body of your paper will be the main reasons you have for arguing your claim. You should order them in your essay from the strongest, or most important, reasons to the weakest, or least important. Conditions of rebuttal can be done in several ways. You can rebut arguments for each of your main reasons, or you can use one of the main points in your essay as a rebuttal for your main point. You can also structure your whole essay as a rebuttal of a mainstream argument. EXAMPLE I believe that people should keep their dogs on leashes when they are in public, because it protects the dog, other people’s dogs, and other people’s property. Thesis: People should keep their dogs on leashes when they are in public because it protects the dog and its owner, other people’s dogs, and other people’s property. I. Protects your dog and you a. Dogs can run into the street i. Stats of how many dogs die from running into the street ii. Personal examples b. Other dangers i. Hawks and other predators ii. Running out of sight and not being able to find their way back c. Even if your dog is friendly, other dogs might not be (conditions of rebuttal) i. Personal Example: Pomeranians who would run up to my dog aggressive, 120 lb. Alaskan Malamute ii. Expert testimony: dog behaviorists who give examples of dog aggressive dogs getting off leash animals iii. Veterinary testimony: off leash dogs injured by leashed dogs, while owner is unable to control dog. d. Protects you from lawsuits and huge vet bills i. Quote from the city ordinances and laws: you are responsible for vet bills if your dog is hurt while off-leash, even if your dog is little and the other dog is not. ii. You are responsible for the vet bills if the other dog is hurt by your off-leash dog. II. Protects other people’s dogs a. Your off-leash dog might become aggressive with another dog, even if it has not been aggressive before. i. Testimony from a behaviorist ii. Examples of other people b. Your dog might run after another dog that is in heat. i. Stats on un-spayed dogs ii. Vet testimony of accidental pregnancies c. Dogs can be unpredictable – and humans don’t pick up on the language of dogs. (conditions of rebuttal) i. Expert testimony ii. Personal examples III. Protects other people’s property a. Children – often children “provoke” a dog to bite by playing too roughly – especially since dogs discipline puppies by nipping. i. Stats ii. Expert testimony b. Other Pets i. Cats ii. Rabbits iii. Ferrets c. House and garden i. Dogs can dig other people’s lawns or flowers ii. Urinate or defecate in other people’s yards iii. Might chew other things left in yards