You must also be prepared to rephrase and remold some of the points in order to get at the most important aspects of the case.  This noting down of the points which might be urged you should therefore regard entirely as a preliminary step, and not as fixing the points in the form in which you will argue them out.

In the main issues for the argument on introducing commission government into Wytown, as they are worked out below, it will be seen that main issue 4 for the affirmative is derived in part from the points marked 1, 2, 6, and 8 of those for the affirmative, and those marked 3, 4, and 5 for the negative.

Furthermore, it is obvious that the main issues you choose will vary somewhat with the side of the question which you are arguing.  You will almost surely have to leave out some of the points which might be urged, and there is no sense in letting the other side choose your ground for you.  Points which from one side may be of no great consequence, or not very practicable to argue, may on the other be highly effective; and in arguing you should always take what advantage can fairly be gained from position.

The phrasing of the main issues, too, will vary with the side on which you are arguing them.  Here, again, you must take every fair advantage that is to be gained from position.  In the main issues of the question I have been using for an example, as they are stated below, it will be seen that main issue 1 on the affirmative and main issue 3 on the negative cover very nearly the same ground; but if you were arguing on the affirmative you would direct attention to the shortcomings inherent in the system of government, if on the negative, to the temporary and removable causes of them.  Whichever side you were arguing on there is no reason that you should lose the advantage of so phrasing the issue that you can go directly to your work of establishing your contention.

In the argument on introducing commission government into Wytown the main issues might be as follows: 

The main issues as chosen by the affirmative: 

    1.  Is the admitted inefficiency of the city government at present
    due to the system of government?

    2.  Will the adoption of the plan result in more economical
    administration?

    3.  Will the adoption of the plan result in more efficient service
    to the city?

    4.  Will the direct responsibility of the mayor and councilors to the
    citizens be a sufficient safeguard for the increased power given to
    them?

The main issues as chosen by the negative: 

    1.  Is there danger in putting such large powers into the hands of so
    few men?

    2.  Will the new plan, if adopted, permanently raise the standard of
    public servants?

    3.  Is the inefficiency of the city government at present due to
    temporary and removable causes?