The early days of the internet

[Standfirst. One paragraph stating the claim outright — what you believe about The early days of the internet, and why it is worth holding a position on now. This is the paragraph that gets quoted.]

[The setup. What is actually happening in the space, in plain language. Assume the reader is smart and uninformed rather than the reverse.]

[The mechanism. How the thing works, and why that particular design makes the outcome you expect more likely. This is where a thesis earns its keep — anyone can name a trend, few can say why it compounds.]

[What has to be true. The conditions the thesis depends on, stated honestly enough that you would notice if they stopped holding.]

[What would change your mind. The disconfirming evidence, named in advance.]

[Where this leaves you. What you are looking for, what you would back, what you would avoid.]