Thesis:  The use of all drugs should be legalized
     Clarifications: - imports should be controlled
   - sales controlled
   - use should be supervised and restricted

Argument:
1. organized crime is the biggest problem associated with drugs  (premise)
2. organized crime's primarily income source is illegal drugs  (premise)
3. if we legalize drugs, then we will remove this income source  (premise)
4. if we remove their primary income source, then organized crime will be crippled  (premise)
5. legalizing drugs would cripple organized crime  (2,3,4)
6. legalizing drugs would remove the biggest problem associated with drugs  (1,5)
7. we should do what will remove the biggest problem associated with drugs  (premise)
Therefore, we should legalize the use of all drugs  (6,7)

Objection:  (focusing on step 4)
 1. if organized crime can replace drug income, then organized crime will not be crippled even if we remove its primary income source  (premise)
 2. organized crime can replace drug income if other sources of revenue are available that are approximately equal to drug revenue  (premise)
 3. gambling and prostitution are other sources of revenue that are available and are approximately equal to drug revenue  (premise)
4. organized crime won't be crippled even if we have removed its primary income source  (1,2,3)
Therefore, it is false that if we remove their primary income source, then organized crime will be crippled  (4)

Response:  (focusing on step 3)
 1. illegal gambling cannot now be substantial source of income for organized crime because legal lotteries and casinos now control that market  (premise)
 2. prostitution cannot now be substantial source of income for organized crime because legal ‘escort' services now control that market  (premise)
 3. neither prostitution nor gambling are potential sources of income substantial income for organized crime  (1,2)
Therefore, it is not the case that gambling and prostitution are other sources of revenue that are available and are approximately equal to drug revenue  (3)

        This is an outline on a topic that would have been appropriate.  Of course, you shouldn't use this topic now, but the point here is that the format shown in the outline is identical to that of the paper you must write.  Your paper should, of course, be in prose and not in outline form.  This should be seen primarily as an illustration of what the structure of the paper should be.  If you need help, please meet with me.  The outlines that you bring to me do not need to be in this exact format, but something like this would be best.  Consider going to the writing center or meeting with this class's student mentor as well for help.
 
Note how the conclusion of: section 2 is that the thesis in section 1 is true.
                                              - section 3 is that a step in section 2 is false.
                                              - section 4 is that a step in section 3 is false.