Thematic Outline

profileDJ0y2j
ThematicOutlineWorksheetEXAMPLE.docx
Home>Human Resource Management homework help>Thematic Outline

Thematic Outline Worksheet Example

After you have completed your Annotated Bibliography, use this worksheet to conceptualize your paper. This worksheet was developed to help you to write your research paper thematically in a logical and organized, way. Feel free to format the tables if you desire, but retain the same general structure of this document.

Step A

Article # is the numeric designator from the Annotated Bibliography you have already completed. Review your articles, and the Annotated Bibliography, to identify two or three of the major themes in each article. The forms will expand as you type. If you have more than 6 articles/sources, then add tables accordingly. (A minimum of 6 peer-reviewed articles are required for the Research Paper).

Article #1 A Retrospective: Adoption in America

Theme - history of adoption and foster care

Theme - changes in adoption law

Theme – hard to place children

Article #2 LGBT Issues in Adoption: Seasons of Change

Theme – discrimination against LGBT parents

Theme – changes in adoption law

Theme – hard to place children

Article #3 Grandparent Adoption Versus Foster Care

Theme – age discrimination in adoption

Theme - hard to place children

Theme

Article #4 Stuck in the Margins: Immigrant Children and Adoption

Theme – adoption of undocumented children

Theme – hard to place children

Theme -

Article #5 Catholic Charities and Same-Sex Adoption

Theme – legal issues in adoption

Theme – hard to place children

Theme – discrimination against LGBT parents

Article #6 Broken Dreams: Meta-Analysis of “Failed Adoptions”

Theme – hard to place children

Theme – effects of trauma on children

Theme – why adoptions fail

Step B

As you review your themes from each article you will notice that you can combine themes and that there will be themes which are present in more than one article. Combine, or collapse common themes, and list the result in the order you want to use them in your paper. Ideally, you should end up with between 3 – 5 themes. Reword and review as necessary. Write the results down, and give each of the final themes a letter such as A, B, C, etc.

Theme ID

Theme Name

Found in which articles (give Article #)

A

Hard to Place Children

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

B

Discrimination in Adoption Decisions (notice that two categories, concerning grandparents and LGBT couples, were combined into one)

2, 3

C

Legal Issues in Adoption

1, 5

D

E

Now you have a general outline of your paper!

Step C

List each theme you want to use for the final paper, and then write a short paragraph, or statement, that logically transitions from one theme to another. Write your conclusion, and then write your introduction.

This is a GENERIC OUTLINE for your paper and you can use the themes as subheadings. Your paper is now organized and thematically structured! Depending on your topic and class requirements you may have more, or less, themes than what is listed here.

Remember, your themes are your subheadings! The paper is coming together in a logical and effective way.

Introduction – NO subheading for the introduction. Just introduce your paper.

Children with special needs are routinely hard to place. Without a family willing to take them they languish in foster care or group homes. However, in modern times, two very different groups have faced discrimination in the adoption process. They are elderly grandparents and LGBT couples. Ironically it is these two groups who are also usually more willing to take children who have special needs. Discrimination in adoption is not a new issue. This paper will show how discrimination has always been an issue when it comes to how adoption decisions are made, and how adoption law generally follows the social norms of the time. It will also demonstrate that adoption outcomes for those two cohorts are as good or better than other groups. Rather than being harmed, the children benefit.

Theme 1 - Special Needs Children

Transition – Despite the desperate situation of special needs children, discrimination against certain groups often prevents them from finding a family.

Theme 2 – The History of Discrimination in the Adoption Process

Transition – In more modern times, rather than mixed race couples, it is LGBT couples and elderly couples who are being discriminated against.

Theme 3 - Discrimination Against Elderly Grandparents in Adoption Decisions

Transition – Despite discrimination, many LGBT and grandparents have been able to adopt. We will now take a look at how those adoptions have turned out. How did children actually do in those environments?

Theme 4 – What the Research Shows

Transition - What can we do with this knowledge on behalf of the children and couples who are being kept from each other.

Conclusion – Since all the research so far demonstrates that adoption outcomes with LGBT and elderly grandparents are as good, or better than any other cohort we need to emphasize that fact. Advocacy and education efforts should focus on the evidence, which shows that placement with LGBT or elderly grandparents is beneficial rather than harmful.

Now you have a detailed structure for your paper, including subheadings and even transitions. Write your paper in APA style and you are good to go. Submit this entire document to the Thematic Outline Dropbox.