THESIS AND RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE GUIDE
I. INTRODUCTION — 1-2 paragraphs
A. Engage reader with opening remarks or personal statements, an anecdote, and /or personal comments.
B. THESIS STATEMENT [claim] divided into categories or sub-topics for organization
C. Background information to your topic or issue.
D. Definitions of key terms
E. Introduce important people or experts in this subject if you have read their writing.
F. Optional: a direct quotation.
G. End with a rhetorical question, which your essay will answer optional.
H. Add a concluding sentence, or a sentence to connect to the next paragraph.
II. BODY: First Main Point: Each point will be a reason or cause of why the topic is important. For example: The effect is homelessness. Your first
main point is that unemployment or being laid off causes homelessness. This is the topic sentence for your first cause in this section of the body of
the essay. It may take you one or more paragraphs to discuss this cause.
Every paragraph of the body includes cited evidence.
A. TOPIC SENTENCE reason or cause or result
B. Include EVIDENCE: specifics, data, details, statistics, etc. . . . See Rubric in Doc Sharing for Scoring Guide.
C. Follow direct quotation/summary pattern:
1. Introduce or set up the ideas of the quotation or summary from your note-taking.
2. Avoid: This quotation states . . or I think this is saying. . . or This means that. . .
[If possible, give the experts name and her/his expertise, title, or credential to begin quote in a signal phrase.]
3. Write the quotation or summary
4. Add MLA citing (38) — if you use a signal phrase to introduce writer/s — or (Lopez 38).
5. Explain / interpret WHY or how this evidence is important to the paragraphs main idea in 3+ sentences.
That is, connect your introductory sentences to the quotations words [evidence] to the explanation by using key words and ideas.
D. Transitions, such as for example, however, as a result, consequently, secondly, therefore, nevertheless. . .
E. Do not over-quote in your paragraphs. The approximate ratio of quoting to your writing is about 25-30% quotations to 70-75% [approximately] your
writing and explanations.
F. Never end a paragraph with a quotation.
G. Conclude or segue to next paragraph.
III. BODY: Second Main Point: 1-3 paragraphs to discuss this point.
A. TOPIC SENTENCE reason or cause or result #2
B. Include EVIDENCE: Specifics, data, details, statistics, etc. . . . to support your topic sentence your thesiss categories/divisions.
C. Follow direct quotation/summary pattern:
1. Introduce or set up the ideas in the quotation
2. Avoid: This quotation states . . or I think this is saying. . . or This means that. . .
3. Write the quotation/summary
4. Add MLA citing
5. Explain / interpret WHY or how this quotation is important to the paragraphs main idea in 3+ sentences.
That is, connect your introductory sentences to the quotations words [evidence] to the explanation by using key words or ideas.
D. Transitions
E. Do not over-quote in your paragraphs.
F. Conclude or segue to next paragraph.
IV. BODY: Third main point
A. TOPIC SENTENCE reason or cause or result
B. Include EVIDENCE: specifics, data, statistics, details, etc. . . .
C. Follow direct quotation/summary pattern:
1. Introduce or set up the ideas in the quotation
2. Avoid stating, I think this quotation means. . . or I think this is saying. . .
3. Write the quotation
4. Add MLA citing,
5. Explain / interpret WHY or how this quotation / summary is important to the paragraphs main idea in 3+ sentences.
That is, connect your introductory sentences to the evidence]to the explanation by using key words or ideas.
D. Transitions
E. Do not over-quote in your paragraphs.
F. Conclude or segue to next paragraph.
[You could have a 4th main point if needed.]
V.CONCLUSION: 1 or 2 paragraphs
A. Restatement of thesis in a different way.
B. Review your RPs ideas in a brief summary
C. Suggestions:
1. EXPLAIN importance of topic to you
2. Add a personal anecdote
3. Include a direct quotation
4. Propose a solution/s
5. Make a call to action or protest.
6. Make universal statement as the topic applies to the US or to people in general
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