Producing an Amazing Producing an Amazing Research OutlineResearch Outline

Step by step instructions for

success

Set up your Outline in MLA format

Note that you should have a header (your name, my name, period, date [day month year])

You also need a title (“outline” is okay)

Notice that it is SINGLE SPACED but still at 1 inch margins

Thesis First: Always!Thesis First: Always!

First, type the word “Thesis” and a colon “:”

Then, type your thesis. Remember your thesis should have

parallel structure & should only be 1-2 sentences!

Start with Roman Numeral One [ I ]

Roman numeral [ I ] is your first subtopic (reason).

Write a complete sentence including a transition

Then, letter “A”

Letter a is a SUBTOPIC of your SUBTOPIC (A reason for your reason)

Should also have a transition & should be a complete sentence.

ALL ROMAN NUMERALS AND CAPITAL LETTERS SHOULD BE

YOUR OWN YOUR OWN WORDS!WORDS!

Then, the number ‘1’ Numbers come from your NOTES You need EVIDENCE to back up ALL your

REASONS! How many pieces per reason minimum?

Then, the number ‘1’

All numbers should have a parenthetical citation!

Do summaries and paraphrases have citations?

What is a direct quote? What do all direct quotes need?

ALL NUMBERS COME FROM YOUR NOTES AND HAVE

A PARENTHETICAL A PARENTHETICAL CITATION!CITATION!

Parenthetical Citations

Are derived from the Works Cited. You take whatever is out in front

the author’s last name (McMillen Shortened version of the title (“Year-Round”

add the paragraph or page number a page number= # (“Year Round” 6) a paragraph number = par. # (McMillen par. 6)

A Second letter “A” After you finish with the evidence, you

need a conclusion sentence for the subtopic, so you need a second letter A

Rinse and Repeat…well, just repeat.

Now you try with the sample…

List one way thesis statements give papers stability:

1. List what you would put here: 2. List what you would put here:

A. What is the second A for? B. List a second way a thesis statement gives papers stability:

1. List what you would put here: 2. List what you would put here:

B. What is the second B for? II. What is the second II for?

Now it’s time to start your ownBest of luck! You should have most of the back of the handout completed today!

Outline: Due by FRIDAY (we will be in the library). PRINTED AND IN YOUR HANDS.