Methods of Identifying, Analyzing, Establishing, and Developing a Line of Reasoning:
1) Preview in the thesis / claim; 

2) Organize the essay (esp. support) in the best logical order. 
          Example Organization Methods:
          1) Order of Significance
            most important  <--------------->  least important
          2) Specific to General
            concrete <----------------> abstract
          3) Categorical
            groups <---------------> sub-groups
          4) Chronological
    oldest <---------------> newest   
          5) Stylistic / Tonal
              light <---------------> serious
          6) Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning
*specific observation > claim >  general   principle / universal theory
                *general principle / universal theory > claim >   specific observation
          7) If > Then > Therefore
  8) Premise > Assumption > Conclusion
  9) Claim of Fact > Claim of Value > Claim of Policy
  10) Problem > Solution > Action

3) Topic Sentences & Transition Words

4) Commentary 

5) Modes (Types of Essays)