Article: The first of these charts is the "pros" column, and the second is the "cons" column. In the "pros" chart, fill in several reasons supporting your argument. Try to come up with 5-7. Use bullet points to give evidence supporting your reasons. Do the same on the "cons" side, except list and provide reasoning against your argument. For example, say you're writing about banning cell phone use in cars. Under the pros column put "could help save lives." You can also write, "helps drivers focus on driving," and "reduces risk of accidents." Under the cons column, you could write something like, "over-legislates private behavior" and "people may need to make emergency calls with their cell phone." An advantage of a pros and cons list is that it lets you look at issues from a non-emotional, objective stance. It's easy to get caught up emotionally in issues like testing products on animals or unsafe driving practices. But, when making the list, leave emotions out and focus on including only rational, defensible claims. For example, when making a list of cons for any issues, writing something like, "I personally dislike it" or "It makes me unhappy" is a very weak reason. Since you'll try to persuade your audience to embrace 1 side of your chart over the other in your letter, you'll need to address solutions to the "cons." As you're jotting down the "cons," think of flaws in the arguments that would support them, or consider ways in which the "cons" are misleading or irrelevant to the issue. Or, if you don't believe that the "cons" need to be solved, you could find information that proves those arguments wrong. For example, if you're writing about the issue of texting while driving, you'll need to address the con that it "over-legislates private behavior." Write something like, "This argument is irrelevant. Texting while driving affects more than one individual since many people can be killed by a careless driver who is also texting." You can then add this sentence directly to your letter once you're writing it.

What is a summary?
Fill out pro and con columns on a sheet of paper. Keep emotional distance from the issue you're evaluating. Consider how the "cons" can be overcome.