English 102
Woodard	

Research Task #6: Outlining your Ideas

Objectives:
•	Summarize your research paper in outline form—keep it brief!
•	Map out the main points you have covered in the paper.
•	Fill in the evidence that you have found to support your thesis (evidence may be opinions by experts, statistics, specific facts, etc.)
•	Determine if you need to gather more evidence.

Assignment Description:
The outline provides a preview to the reader of the major structural parts of the paper as promised by the thesis statement and indicates, in brief, what evidence you will use to support your thesis and claims.

1.	Construct an outline according to the guidelines on the next page. Use no more than one sentence for each point in your outline.
2.	When you have finished your outline, answer these questions in writing:
•	Based on your outline, do you need to rearrange the order in which you present your information in the paper?
•	What assumptions or background material might you need to provide details about in order for your reader to fully understand your argument? You may need to conduct a bit more research at this point to ensure a complete look at your topic.

See next page for sample outline format.

Many students find that this task is very helpful for the final organization of their paper. If you are having a difficult time figuring out how to arrange the points in your paper, or if you aren’t sure that you have enough information for any of your points, this task should clarify things.

Outline template:

I.  Introduction
Introductory comments that get the reader’s attention, introduce the general topic, and eventually funnel us into the thesis statement.
Thesis Statement:___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

II. Body Paragraphs
A. First Main Point 
1. Topic related to the 1st main point (a specific topic related to the first main point of your paper)
		a. [Any evidence that you’ve gathered so far]
		b.
2. Topic related to 1st main point
	a. [Any evidence that you’ve gathered so far]
	b.

B. Second Main Point 
1. Topic related to the 2nd main point (a specific topic related to the second main point of your paper)
		a. [Any evidence that you’ve gathered so far]
		b.
2. Topic related to 2nd main point
	a. [Any evidence that you’ve gathered so far]
		b.

C. Third Main Point
1. Topic related to the 3rd main point (a specific topic related to the third main point of your paper)
		a. [Any evidence that you’ve gathered so far]
		b.
2. Topic related to 3rd main point
	a. [Any evidence that you’ve gathered so far]
	b.

D.  Fourth Main Point if applicable

III.  Conclusion
Closing comments that refer back to the thesis and answer the question
 “So what?” about your topic and your findings. Leave us with something to remember.