English 102
AbdullahQ7
Unit3-OutlineStructure.docxOutline Structure
The goal of an outline is provide you with an organized structure for your essay before you begin writing. It’s important to have this mapped out in advance so that you know how you’ll support your thesis as you write. Below, you’ll find a general outline structure, which includes both the requirements listed on the assignment guidelines (in bold) and some notes from me (in italics). When you complete your outline, you should make sure that you’re meeting all of the expectations listed in the guidelines and on the rubric.
I. Introduction
· Complete thesis statement. This should be a finalized version of the thesis statement which incorporates the feedback received from the annotated bibliography.
The thesis is the vital part of the introduction section. Your intro should definitely include a fully developed thesis. That thesis should make clear A) what your topic is and B) what your argument relating to that topic is.
Break down the thesis statement into at least three main points
These main points will be the basis for your body paragraphs. They should be sub-points that support the argument in your thesis or that clarify why your argument is valid. Note that three is the minimum. If you have more than three points that need to be made in order to fully support your thesis, then you should add additional points, following the same structural expectations listed below.
II. Main Point #1
· Create a body paragraph topic sentence. The topic sentence should be a complete sentence that you can use as a lead-in to this section of the essay. It should establish the focus of the section including any relevant argumentation.
· Include supporting evidence (in other words, include at least one academic resource to support the main point). For this section, you should make clear what kind of source-based evidence you’ll use to back up the argument in this point. Remember that if you directly quote or paraphrase any material from your sources you should absolutely cite those sources both in-text and on the reference page at the end of the outline.
· Summary sentence of the first body paragraph, which ties the main point back to the thesis statement. Briefly summarize the first body paragraph of the section. How does this paragraph directly relate to your thesis statement?
III. Main Point #2
· Create a body paragraph topic sentence. The topic sentence should be a complete sentence that you can use as a lead-in to this section of the essay. It should establish the focus of the section including any relevant argumentation.
· Include supporting evidence (in other words, include at least one academic resource to support the main point). For this section, you should make clear what kind of source-based evidence you’ll use to back up the argument in this point. Remember that if you directly quote or paraphrase any material from your sources you should absolutely cite those sources both in-text and on the reference page at the end of the outline.
· Summary sentence of the first body paragraph, which ties the main point back to the thesis statement. Briefly summarize the first body paragraph of the section. How does this paragraph directly relate to your thesis statement?
IV. Main Point #3
· Create a body paragraph topic sentence. The topic sentence should be a complete sentence that you can use as a lead-in to this section of the essay. It should establish the focus of the section including any relevant argumentation.
· Include supporting evidence (in other words, include at least one academic resource to support the main point). For this section, you should make clear what kind of source-based evidence you’ll use to back up the argument in this point. Remember that if you directly quote or paraphrase any material from your sources you should absolutely cite those sources both in-text and on the reference page at the end of the outline.
· Summary sentence of the first body paragraph, which ties the main point back to the thesis statement. Briefly summarize the first body paragraph. What will be included in the paragraph? What argument and evidence will be presented?
V. Conclusion
· Draft a summary statement that includes the thesis and main points of the paper. This should be a brief summary that reiterates the thesis and main points, summing up the argument and evidence that are being presented in the paper.
Reference Page
· Include a reference citation for each source mentioned in your outline. Make sure to follow all MLA citation guidelines. Use the guidelines for citing sources on the Works Cited that we worked with for the annotated bibliography in the last unit.
