Research

Essay Outline Template

I. Introduction

a. General Background Information (1-2 sentences)

i. Attention grabbing intro

ii. Who, What, When, Where – establish topic

b. Write your Thesis Statement

i. an arguable sentence, which is debatable and worth proving

c. Summarize Body Paragraph Sub-points / Arguments (1 sentence)

i. Present arguments in order in which they appear

II.Argument/reason # 1 Body paragraphs 1 and 2

a.Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

b. Supporting Point/Argument: (Any background information, if needed)

c. Proof/Evidence (1) (quotes, examples, statistics, anecdote, etc.)

d. Commentary 1:Explanation of proof (effects? significance? How does this

prove your thesis?)

e. Commentary 2: How does this prove your thesis?

f.Transition sentence

a.Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

b. Supporting Point/Argument: (Any background information, if needed)

c. Proof/Evidence (1) (quotes, examples, statistics, anecdote, etc.)

d. Commentary 1:Explanation of proof (effects? significance? How does this

prove your thesis?)

e. Commentary 2: How does this prove your thesis?

f.Transition sentence

III.Argument/reason # 2 Body paragraphs 3 and 4

a.Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

b. Supporting Point/Argument: (Any background information, if needed)

c. Proof/Evidence (1) (quotes, examples, statistics, anecdote, etc.)

d. Commentary 1:Explanation of proof (effects? significance? How does this

prove your thesis?)

e. Commentary 2: How does this prove your thesis?

f.Transition sentence

a.Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

b. Supporting Point/Argument: (Any background information, if needed)

c. Proof/Evidence (1) (quotes, examples, statistics, anecdote, etc.)

d. Commentary 1:Explanation of proof (effects? significance? How does this

prove your thesis?)

e. Commentary 2: How does this prove your thesis?

f.Transition sentence

IV.Argument/reason # 3 Body paragraphs 5 and 6

Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

a.Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

b. Supporting Point/Argument: (Any background information, if needed)

c. Proof/Evidence (1) (quotes, examples, statistics, anecdote, etc.)

d. Commentary 1:Explanation of proof (effects? significance? How does this

prove your thesis?)

e. Commentary 2: How does this prove your thesis?

f.Transition sentence

a.Topic Sentence (linked to thesis):

b. Supporting Point/Argument: (Any background information, if needed)

c. Proof/Evidence (1) (quotes, examples, statistics, anecdote, etc.)

d. Commentary 1:Explanation of proof (effects? significance? How does this

prove your thesis?)

e. Commentary 2: How does this prove your thesis?

f.Transition sentence

V. refutation

a. Acknowledge there is another side:

While some may say…

There are some who believe…

b. Provide a fact or statistic that supports the claim you made below

c. REFUTE the claim with counterevidence (evidence that supports your claim)

d. Conclude by showing your side of the issue is the right one!

V. Conclusion

a. Restate the thesis in a new way

b. Re-examine the sub-points and summarize the connection between them

c. Return to a general statement about how your topic, thesis, or research is significant to the world beyond the paper (examine the bigger picture)

DON’T:

o Avoid beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as "in conclusion," "in summary," or "in this paragraph". Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as wooden and trite in writing.

o Do not state the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion.

o Avoid introducing a new idea, subtopic, or new evidence in your conclusion.

DO:

o Ensure that your thesis is clearly stated as a statement which is provable, debatable and worth proving.

o Use specific evidence to support your ideas – quotes, paraphrasing, facts, statistics, examples, anecdotes, etc.)

o Properly cite all borrowed ideas in your essay and/or outline using the appropriate method (MLA/APA/Footnotes/Endnotes).

o Use transition phrases and words throughout the essay.

o Follow all guidelines for formatting: 1" margins, size 12 font, double spacing (except for longer quotes), title page (include your name, teacher’s name, course code, date, and title of essay which reflects the thesis).

NOTE: Expand model as necessary for a longer essay (either by adding an additional sub-topic or evidence).

Adapted from- The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/conclusions.html