Blocking Your Argument

Blocking your argument can be a good first step toward making a formal outline. Blocking involves dividing up your thesis into smaller blocks that need to be proven. You can almost think of blocking in the same way as you would a math problem: in order to end up proving your thesis, what steps do you need to take first, second, third, and fourth? Perhaps the best way to understand blocking is by example. Examine the thesis below. Ask yourself, what steps would I need to take in order to prove this thesis? What do I need to demonstrate and in what order should I develop the main points?

Thesis: During the 1920s, the image of the ideal American woman underwent dramatic changes in terms of athleticism, sexuality, and fashion. While these changes seemed to make women more liberated, in reality, they had little impact on most women’s everyday lives.

My thinking: This thesis contains three basic things that I need to prove. 1) During the 1920s, the image of the ideal American woman underwent dramatic changes in terms of athleticism, sexuality, and fashion. 2) These changes seemed to make women more liberated 3) In reality, they had little impact on most women’s everyday lives.

My thinking: In order to prove that there was a change in femininity in the 1920s, I need to first show what ideals of womanhood were like before this period.

Argument 1: Before the 1920s, the ideal American woman was seen as domestic and virginal and was portrayed in very restrictive, feminine clothing.

My thinking: Now that I have shown what the image of womanhood was like before the 1920s, I can use evidence from the 1920s to show that there was a change.

Argument 1.5: During the 1920s, this image changed as the physically fit, overtly sexual, and masculine-dressed flapper became the new ideal.

My thinking: The next part of my thesis promises to show what these changes seemed to be. I need to show this now.

Argument 2: This new ideal seemed to make women more liberated.

My thinking: I need to end by fulfilling the final part of my thesis and showing that women found little new freedom in reality.

Argument 3: In reality, it had little impact on women’s everyday lives.

I have now blocked my argument. For a full outline, I could fill in each argument with examples.

Advantages to Blocking Your Argument

It can help you to identify exactly what you need to prove.
It can show you the order in which to discuss your ideas.
It will help to ensure that your thesis is used as a the centre of your essay and that all of your arguments are related to your thesis.

Disadvantages to Blocking Your Argument

It can be difficult to do if your thesis is not worded clearly.