---
creative_pillar: structure
always_load_for: [discuss, plan, draft, editor-review]
authority: project
---

# Argument Map

Academic projects use this file instead of PLOT-GRAPH.md. Track the argument's movement by claim, evidence, counterclaim, method, transition, and reader-state shift.

## Argument Spine

**Thesis:** {{THESIS}}
**Central research question:** {{CENTRAL_QUESTION}}
**Method or framework:** {{METHOD}}
**Reader starts here:** {{READER_START}}
**Reader should land here:** {{READER_END}}

## Claim Sequence

### {{CLAIM_NAME}}

**Claim:** {{CLAIM}}
**Purpose in argument:** {{PURPOSE}}
**Evidence:** {{EVIDENCE}}
**Counterclaim or limitation:** {{COUNTERCLAIM}}
**Transition into this claim:** {{TRANSITION_IN}}
**Transition out of this claim:** {{TRANSITION_OUT}}

#### Subject dynamics

**Reader starts here:** {{CLAIM_READER_START}}
**Reader should move toward:** {{CLAIM_READER_SHIFT}}
**Pressure or friction:** {{CLAIM_PRESSURE}}
**Interaction pattern:** {{CLAIM_INTERACTION}} (claim vs. counterclaim, evidence vs. objection, theory vs. case, method vs. limitation)
**Watchpoints:** {{CLAIM_WATCHPOINTS}}

## Open Questions

{{OPEN_QUESTIONS}}