Research paper

Outline for 1102 Essays: I. Introduction

a. A. Mention the overall topic in the first sentence. b. Define terms (imagery, symbolism, theme, etc) c. Give any necessary background information to give historical or

biographical context d. Give full name of author(s) and selection(s)—be sure to punctuate them

properly e. Thesis Statement 9last sentence of the introductory paragraph):

i. State an OPINION to be proven ii. Summarize the EVIDENCE you will use

(Sample Thesis: Both Author #1 and Author #2 use symbolism and imagery in their poems to portray God as distant because He considers humans unworthy of personal, intimate interaction. Notice: the opinion is “God is portrayed by both as distant,” the evidence is in the imagery and symbolism and there is a point— the WHY—which is that God considers humans inferior, according to the authors)

II. Supporting Paragraph #1 (on selection #1) a. First sentence is the topic sentence

1. First word(s) is/are a transition 2. Refers to the thesis statement (opinion and evidence) 3. Summarizes the content of the entire paragraph to follow 4. Does NOT contain any evidence (specific details or questions)

b. Quotation #1 1. Introduce the quotation: who says it and in what context

a. Play: Act, Scene, Line (V.ii.24-6) b. Poem: Stanza, Line (Stanza 2, lines 3-4) c. Short story or novel: Page number

2. Explain in your own words what the quotation says and how it proves what you claim (opinion in the thesis statement)

c. Quotation #2 1. Introduce 2. Explain

d. Quotation #3 1. Introduce 2. Explain

III. Supporting Paragraph #2 a. First sentence is a topic sentence b. Quotation #1

1. Introduce

2. Explain c. Quotation #2

1. Introduce 2. Explain

d. Quotation #3 1. Introduce 2. Explain

IV. Conclusion a. Begin with a transition b. Restate thesis (in slightly different words) c. Summarize main points