Define your thesis. This should be a one-sentence description of the main point of your paper. This thesis statement should occur early in the paper, ideally at the end of the first paragraph.
Build your arguments in subsequent paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a cogent idea that supports your thesis, and each argument should have a supporting citation.
Discuss arguments that do not support your thesis, and describe why they are not convincing. Do not omit this section; your paper will be stronger if you demonstrate that you are aware of conflicting arguments but are prepared to deal with them.
Conclude your paper by referring to your thesis statement and summarizing the main arguments that defend it.