Creating an Outline EQ: How do I create an outline for a research essay?

Let’s review: What’s a thesis statement? What is a thesis?

◦the main idea of your paper: summed up in one sentence.

◦the argument, angle or perspective you will need to support (or prove) with the

◦must be included as the last sentence in the introduction to your research paper or project.

◦Must have parallel structure and give an outline for your essay

So, why do you need to use an outline? Organizing your thoughts is important because nobody likes to sort through a confused and confusing jumble of words and sentences!

Topic outline or Sentence outline

The topic outline consists of short phrases. ◦useful when you are dealing variety of

arrangement

The sentence outline is done in full sentences. ◦Focuses on complex details ◦sentences are used as the details◦Helps you from creating additional

outlines

Topic Outline

Brain Break!

Step 1: Identify the topic (thesis)Sample Thesis: President Barack

Obama has made an impact on American society through the failing healthcare policy, the increasing tax debt and by issuing federal educational standards.

What three issues will be discussed in this paper? failing healthcare policy

increasing tax debtissuing federal educational

standards

What are you trying to prove?

Step 2: Identify the main categories (Break your thesis into different points)

The failing healthcare policy

The increasing tax debt By issuing federal

educational standards

This is what

you will look for when

you start your

research!

Step 3: Start your Outline (Place your information into an outline format)

I. Introduction

A. Hook (idea, statistic, etc.) to entice reader

B. Broad focus—possibilities of topics

C. Definition of any important terms

D. Thesis sentence

II. Body

A. First idea listed in your thesis, used with a transition

1. Reason/evidence/example/research

2. Reason/evidence/example/research

3. Reason/evidence/example/research

4. Reason/evidence/example/research

5. Conclusion, leading to next idea

B. Second idea listed in your thesis, used with a transition

1. Reason/evidence/example/research

2. Reason/evidence/example/research

3. Reason/evidence/example/research

4. Reason/evidence/example/research

5. Conclusion, leading to next idea

C. Third idea listed in your thesis, used with a transition

1. Reason/evidence/example/research2. Reason/evidence/example/research3. Reason/evidence/example/research4. Reason/evidence/example/research5. Conclusion, leading to thought

III. Conclusion A. Concluding Statement (restatement of

thesis) B. Summary of findingsC. End with new final thought

See Sheet!

Let’s create an outline together!

Sample Thesis: Child abuse will influence a person emotionally, physically, and mentally.

I. Introduction

A. Hook (idea, statistic, etc.) to entice reader

B. Broad focus—possibilities of topics

C. Definition of any important terms

D. Thesis sentence

I. IntroductionA. 50% of teens have been affected by child abuseB. Ways in which people can be “damaged” C. Child abuse definitionD. Child abuse will influence a person emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Child abuse will influence a person emotionally, physically, and mentally.

II. Body A. First idea listed in

your thesis, used with a transition

1.Reason/evidence/example/research

2.Reason/evidence/example/research

3.Reason/evidence/example/research

4.Reason/evidence/example/research

5. Conclusion, leading to next idea

B. ___________...

**All statistics are fictional!

II. Body

A. Emotional abuse1. attacks a child’s perception of himself2. 90% of all emotionally traumatized

patients were abused as children 3. Causes a child to withdraw from peers4. Creates self-doubt in future5. story of child locked in closet

B. Physically 1. _____2. _____3. _____4. _____5. _____

C. Mentally 1. _____2. _____3. _____4. _____5. _____

Child abuse will influence a person emotionally, physically, and mentally.

III. ConclusionA. Concluding

Statement B. Summary of

findingsC. End with new

final thought

III. ConclusionA. Although child abuse

may be overlooked, it is the leading cause of mental, emotional, and physical instability in adults.

B. Multiple child households, lower SES, high school drop-outs

C. Child abuse will continue to affect society unless we open our eyes to this epidemic.

Brain Break!

Personal Practice

Read the article given to you. You will need to create a short outline based on the information required on the worksheet. You will review this TO your classmates.

Pass out essays and

students will complete outlines

independently.

Students will get into

groups with same essays. In the group,

you will create an

outline for the assigned reading.

Choose one group to present finished

product to the class.

Create an outline on your own using your thesis statement. Self Practice—Worksheet

Any Questions? Your “working outline” needs to be completed before leaving class today.