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ENG 106: Composition II Learning Unit 4: Instructions

Informative Essay Outline Assignment

Overview: Now that you’ve had an opportunity to find and read sources and have gained some

instruction on MLA formatting and source integration, it’s time to start drafting your paper. The outline

is the first step in drafting the Informative Essay. After completing the outline, we will begin to write the

rough draft of the Informative Essay. Completing a preliminary outline will provide you with a plan for

your rough draft; in addition, the outline will give your instructor a chance to review your plans and your

structure for this essay. Your instructor will offer you feedback on your outline so that you may make

any necessary adjustments to your ideas and/or structure as you write the rough draft.

(Note: Be sure to review the Sample Student Informative Essay Outline and the lecture about writing the

outline.)

Instructions:

1. Write a full thesis that explains the controversy as well as the competing sides of the

controversy.

2. Include a background section that contextualizes the main topics you will cover. The background

section may explain relevant history, definitions, and explanation of the controversy. In short,

include any information a reader would need to understand in order to comprehend the

controversy.

3. Map out the major arguments in favor of and against your topic. Be sure to write each argument

out as a complete sentence.

 Use a block or point-by-point structure, if you choose. See the lecture for more information

about these organizational patterns.

© Kameo Cragoe and Indian Hills Community College

ENG 106: Composition II Learning Unit 4: Handout

Sample Student Informative Essay Outline

Thesis statement: The school calendar reform debate continues to rage as opponents believe moving to

a yearlong school calendar would harm the education system, while proponents argue that the yearlong

calendar would have lasting positive implications for children and the US.

I. Background

A. Major changes made to school calendar throughout US history

B. Current school calendar

1. Requirements

2. Variations among states and types of schools

C. Most common school calendars in other countries

D. Development of reform debate and variations of reform proposals

E. Yearlong school calendar proposal definition

II. Arguments in Favor of Yearlong Calendar

A. Higher scores in countries with yearlong calendar

1. Proves effective

2. US falling behind in education

B. Educational theory supports better learning through yearlong calendar

1. Uninterrupted memory encoding

2. Better retention of information

C. Teachers could cover more material

1. Less review time after summer break

2. More time to move on to new information

D. Long-term economic stability

1. School employees receive higher salary

2. Smarter students = competitive economy in world market

III. Arguments Against Yearlong Calendar Reform

1. Students need to be kids, have free time

2. Educators need extended break to avoid burn-out

3. Shorter year is better for the environment

4. US and state education budgets cannot handle increased costs

5. Educational theory supports extended break in information

© Kameo Cragoe, Kara Beary, and Indian Hills Community College