Research Paper Outline and Research Paper on Sexual Orientation Discrimination
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Name: Date:
Section: Writing
Research Paper Outline
This template is for a research paper (essay) with three main points. This template may be adjusted to fit your needs. If you need to add extra details, just add them.
· Your final outline must be word-processed. It must be double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font.
· You must include the sources that you are using in parentheses.
Please include the following:
1) working title – This may change by the time you complete your paper.
2) thesis statement – this sentence should be a statement, not a question, of what you
intend to prove in your paper. The thesis statement includes a mention of the three
main points to come. You may need to revise the thesis statement several times
during the course of writing the paper.
3) the three (or more) major points you plan to make in your research paper. Each of these major points should support the thesis statement.
4) topic sentences – one for each of your three major points
5) three details, pieces of information, or evidence from your notes with the sources
listed (in parentheses) for each of your major points
6) concluding sentence and lead-in for the next paragraph – one for each paragraph.
These sentences should remind you how you should consistently be communicating to
your readers why you’re telling them what you’re telling them.
7) conclusion for your research paper – The conclusion should sum up the reasons you
have given that support your thesis. You should add insight by giving some thoughts
on the implications of what you have just written or proven.
Title of your research paper ________________________________________________
Thesis statement: _________________________________________________________
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Introduction – The introduction should contain a “hook”, general quote, or interesting fact. You will then add two-three broad, general statements, and your thesis statement.
I. Introduction
A. Begin with an opening sentence that captures your reader’s attention. You might consider including the theme, a memorable quotation that relates to the topic, or asking a question. (HOOK)
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B. Define topic (if needed – such as prohibition, women’s rights, etc.).
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C. Then write a sentence that introduces the topic that you plan on discussing.
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D. Write your thesis statement. Give a brief summary of each main idea of the topic that you plan on discussing (state each briefly - 2-3 sentences total). Then, as your last sentence, include the overall theme (or main idea) that connects all of these main ideas together under your one chosen topic as well as leading into the first main point that you will discuss in your paper (this is a transition sentence).
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II. Topic sentence for main point #1______________
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A. Subtopic from main point #1___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
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i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
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ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
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iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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(Additional Subtopics may be added.)
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #2 support the thesis
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III. Topic sentence for main point #2
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A. Subtopic from main point #2___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
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ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
(Additional Subtopics may be added.)
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #3 support the thesis
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IV. Topic sentence for main point #3
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A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
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iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
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SECTION TWO
V. Topic sentence for main point #2
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A. Subtopic from main point #2___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
(Additional Subtopics may be added.)
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #3 support the thesis
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VI. Topic sentence for main point #3
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A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
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VII. Topic sentence for main point #2
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A. Subtopic from main point #2___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
(Additional Subtopics may be added.)
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #3 support the thesis
_________________________________________________________________
VIII. Topic sentence for main point #3
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A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
___________________________________________________________________
IX. Topic sentence for main point #2
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A. Subtopic from main point #2___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
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SECTION THREE
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #3 support the thesis
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X. Topic sentence for main point #3
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A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
___________________________________________________________________
VIII. Topic sentence for main point #3
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________________________________________________________________________
A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
___________________________________________________________________
IX. Topic sentence for main point #2
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A. Subtopic from main point #2___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
(Additional Subtopics may be added.)
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #3 support the thesis
_________________________________________________________________
X. Topic sentence for main point #3
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A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
___________________________________________________________________
XI. Topic sentence for main point #3
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A. Subtopic from main point #3___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
B. Concluding sentence and lead-into conclusion and include how all of the details or examples for main points #1, 2, and 3 support the thesis
___________________________________________________________________
XII. Topic sentence for main point #2
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A. Subtopic from main point #2___________________________________________
1. Detail or example from your note cards (with source)
_______________________________________________________________
i. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
2. Detail or example from your note card (with source)
_________________________________________________________________
ii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
3. Detail or example from your note card (with source) – if needed
________________________________________________________________
iii. Explain source’s connection to thesis in your own words
_______________________________________________________________
(Additional Subtopics may be added.)
B. Concluding sentence and lead-in about how the details or examples for main point #3 support the thesis
_________________________________________________________________
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V. Conclusion
1. Begin with a rephrased thesis statement (See introduction, final sentence).
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2. Summarize the main points you made in your body paragraphs.
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3. End with an overall theme of your research paper, or an interesting fact.
SUGGEST THE
IMPORTANCE,
SIGNIFICANCE,
LONG AND/OR SHORT TERM CONSEQUENCES, IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIETY OR INDIVIDUALS,
AND BASICALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION:
“SO WHAT?”; OR
“WHY IS THIS TOPIC IMPORTANT