Things to Keep in Mind When Creating an Outline

Humanities 2013

Things to Keep In Mind When Creating an Outline

An outline is a tool you can use to "map out" your paper before you begin writing a draft. Creating an outline will not only help you to organize your ideas in your paper, but also will show you where you may need more information or research. Your outline should be as detailed as possible so it can serve as a guide for writing your rough draft. Below are some things to think about as you begin to make your outline:

1.  When formatting your outline, you should alternate between Roman numerals, capital letters, numbers, and lower case letters to show the progression from topics to subtopics to specific information.

--Roman numerals should correspond to the broad main ideas in your paper

--Capital letters should correspond to main ideas of your paper's individual PARAGRAPHS

--Numbers correspond to supporting points or pieces of evidence within paragraphs

--lower case letters correspond to analytical points you want to make about your evidence

2.  You begin your outline with your INTRODUCTION, which should contain your THESIS. Remember: Thesis statements contain content and position. Your introduction also should contain a "preview" of the main points that you will use to defend your argument. These points should be in the order they will appear in your paper.

3.  After your introduction, start by writing out one roman numeral (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X) for each of the broad, major ideas you will address in your paper to prove your thesis.

4.  Within each roman numeral, insert a capital letter for each body paragraph you will use to prove that overall main idea. Remember, each paragraph should tackle one idea only!

5.  Within each roman numeral, add numbers and then lower case letters for your evidence and analytical points, respectively

6.  You should end your outline with your CONCLUSION that will restate your thesis, summarize the main points in your paper, and add a final "so what" idea.

See reverse for a sample (there are a handful of deliberate errors here—see if you can find them!)

Sam Nekrosius

March 26, 2013

Outline for Research Paper

Tentative title=Whaling: The Trade That Launched America's Global Commercial Identity

I. Introduction

A. Thesis Statement: The whaling industry in 18th and 19th century America brought the fledgling nation into a global network of trade and established America as a growing power on the world stage.

1. Main idea #1—Growth of whaling fleet, international recognition

2. Main idea #2—Financial impact--positive

3. Main idea #3—Costs of whaling--negative

4. So What idea: Whaling transformed America from an inconsequential nation into a world power willing to do anything to expand its empire.

II. Background information about whaling industry

A. Before whaling, American sailing somewhat limited due to mercantilism, threat of piracy, and trade partners

1. Quotation from research

a. Analysis of how that quotation proves the paragraph's topic sentence

B. As a result of the need to constantly expand the whaling grounds, American ships range farther and farther abroad

III. Recognition of American whaling prowess, growing power of the American whaling fleet

IV. Enrichment of merchants, American Northeast in general

V. Recognition of the Costs of Whaling

A. Horrible conditions for sailors

B. Environmental impact on whale populations

VI. Conclusion

1. Restate thesis

2. Restate main ideas 1, 2, and 3

3. So What idea: The legacy of whaling lives on today and can be seen in America's cavalier attitude toward the development of other natural resources such as shale oil.