THEO 626
RESEARCH PROJECT: OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
A presentation of the outline and introduction of a research project serves to focus the broad
sweep of the research into manageable and separate components (through the outline) and
preview the connections of the elements into a narrative (through the introduction). In the
prewriting stage, an outline serves to ensure the required elements are included and enables the
student to organize the elements of research and argumentation into a useable roadmap. The
introduction (as its name implies) serves to inform the reader of the overall ideas and evidence
the research explores. This occurs by building to the thesis statement.
INSTRUCTIONS
The assignment must include three elements: title, outline, and introduction. Each of
these headings should be on the left margin in bold followed by a colon. Then the
required information follows.
Provide the title of the paper.
Provide an outline comprising at least six Roman numerals (signifying the main
components of the paper). This should include:
I. Introduction
II. Historical Development of the Doctrine
III. Main Point Example
A. Subpoint 1
B. Subpoint 2
1. Evidence
2. Evidence
IV. Main Point Example
V. Application for Church
VI. Conclusion
It is possible that numerals II-V might be in different order. But the headings of Intro,
Historical Development, Application for Church, and Conclusion must be included.
The subpoints and evidence levels of the outline might also be changed/adapted (they can
be various ideas/Scriptures/scholarly arguments/significant quotes, etc.) But the outline
must go to multiple levels beyond/below just the main Roman numerals to satisfy the
requirements of the rubric. Thus, it should go at least to the 2nd (A/B) and 3rd (1/2/) level.
Provide an introduction paragraph of approximately 6-10 sentences. The beginning
sentences should grab the attention or provide an immediate reason/problem/issue that
needs to be addressed. Do not begin with ‘This paper will argue that’ or ‘This research
will explore X.’ The middle sentences of the paragraph should cover the main points of
the paper. Since the outline is now complete, the order of these sentences should already
be set. Not every point need be included, but the central arguments must. The ending
sentence should be the thesis statement of the paper. It shows the overall idea of the paper
and the position you are asserting. The introduction should be at least ¾ to 1 page in
length.
THEO 626
Edit for typos, spelling, grammar, and style based on current Turabian formatting (which
includes a title page and proper page numbering).
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
