Outlining for Your Research Paper

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Outlining for Your Research Paper

• Mrs. Kennedy

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Objective of the outline

• To provide a method of organizing your
  information.
• To arrange your major points
• To structure your ideas so they prove your
  thesis.
• To provide a framework for your paper.

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Rubric-- Format

• Is arranged according to the given format
• Uses correct punctuation
• Uses the correct sequence of numbers and letters.
• Divides and subdivides the information correctly
• Uses parallel structure--Begins each new subpoint
  in the same way (nouns, verbs) Maintains format
• Sentence outline
• Phrase outline

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Rubric-ContentIncludes all major information

• Includes introduction, body and conclusion
• Proves thesis statement--Each fact, detail, or
  example in the outline is used to explain,
  support, develop thesis statement

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STEP 1Arrange the information in a logical
order---- Sorting cards by similar headingsEx
Early Life Education Marriages theme in
setting, characters etc.
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Step 2 Review each group of cards

• Does each group contain enough information----shou
  ld you gather more?
• Do any cards have unrelated information?
• Should you eliminate some cards that do not
  relate to your thesis?

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ExampleThesis Steinbecks use of the underdog
in his works

• Keep
• Lenny-mentally challenged
• Candy-handicapped
• Curlys wife-victim of wife abuse

• Omit
• Slim-best skinner on the ranch when he spoke the
  men quieted and listened

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Step 3Compare each group with headings in rough
outline

• Should some be eliminated?
• Should more headings be added?
• Should some be revised?

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Step 4 Think about organization

• Are headings and subheadings arranged
  clearly/logically?
• Is each a logical subdivision?
• Should you move any groups to a different
  division?
• Should you rearrange?

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How to FormatIdentify major points with Roman
numerals I II III IV V VI
VIIVIII IX XEach subdivision must
include at least 2 pieces of information.
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Identify divisions of Roman numerals with Capital
letters followed by period.

• I. People become English teachers for several
  reasons.
• A. They are crazy
• B. They are masochistic
• C. They love literature
• D. They are handwriting experts

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Identify divisions of Capital letters with Arabic
(regular) numbers 1. 2. 3.

• D. They are handwriting experts.
• 1. They can even read hieroglyphics.
• 2. They can read doctors
  prescriptions.

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How to subdivide

• Identify divisions of numbers with lower case
  letters a. b.
• Identify lower case divisions with numbers
  followed by parenthesis
• 1.) 2. )
• Identify numbers with parenthesis with lower case
  letters with parenthesis a.) b.)
• Each subdivision must include at least 2 pieces
  of information.

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Remember

• All like divisions must be lined up properly
• There can be no single subdivisions
• First word of each subdivision must begin with a
  capital letter
• Each subdivision must be followed by a period
  (A. B. 1. )

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Sample

• I.
• A.
• B.
• 1.
• 2.
• a.
• 1.)
• 2.)
• a.)
• b.)
• b.
• II.

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Formal outline due TuesdayMay 16Must be typed
or neatly written in blue or black ink NO
EXCEPTIONS
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Sample Outline

• I. Introduction II. Impact of theme on
  Authors life III. Impact of theme on era
  IV. Impact of theme on first work V.
  Impact of theme on second work. VI.
  Impact of theme on criticism VII.
  Conclusion