This is the outline that I gave the students today.

Paragraph 1
The boy in the story has a decision to make: should he squish the ant or not? After researching ants and exploring the topic, I am going to prove to you that the boy in the story should squish the ant. He should squish because reason 1, reason 2, reason 3.

Paragraph 2
The results of your research.
1. The first reason he should squish the ant is because ….
      - why is it so bad?
      - how does this relate to our ant?
      -
2. The second reason he should squish the ant is because…..
     - what do you mean?
     - how does this relate to our story?
     - why should ours be squished?
3. The third reason he should squish the ant is because….
    - how?
    - Why does this matter?
    - How does this relate to our story?

Paragraph 3
Explain how you fully understand the other position.
    Reason for not squishing the ant.
         Why do they feel this is the correct thing to do?
    Reason for not squishing the ant.
         Why do they feel this is the correct thing to do?
    Reason for not squishing the ant.
         Why do they feel this is the correct thing to do?

Paragraph 4
Explain how their argument is wrong.
    They said that …, but they are wrong because …
    They said that …, but they are wrong because …
    They said that …, but they are wrong because …

   Add any strong arguments that you feel are needed.
   Maybe you want to end with a bang!

P5: Conclusion
I have proven to you that the boy in the story should (not) squish the ant. He should (not) squish because reason 1, reason 2, reason 3. I have also discussed how… (list some of the points you covered in the part where you refuted the other side.)