Read this outline for an argumentative essay about government.

1. People have different ideas about the role of government.
A. The primary purpose of government is to protect its citizens.

2. Government should protect citizens from foreign and domestic threats.
A. The country faces threats from other nations, terrorists, and criminals.
B. The military can provide a strong defense at home and abroad.
C. The police and other government agencies keep citizens safe locally.
D. Some people believe social services are more important than defense,
but citizens cannot survive without protection and security.

3. Government’s main role is to provide protection via the military and other agencies.

The underlined sentence in the outline is the

conclusion.
counterclaim.
evidence.
introduction.