Think of an outline as the blueprint of your paper. A way to organize your thoughts before you begin writing.

 

Fill out information for each item.

 

Working title:

__________________________________________________________

 

I. Introductory Paragraph

Below are the elements to include:

•      What do I need to say to set up my thesis? __________________________________________________
•      Thesis statement (usually includes a mention of the main points to come)

 

List Main Points (no set number of how many):

• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

 

Write out Thesis statement: _____________________________________________________________________________________

 

II. Body Paragraph

Below are the elements to include:

Each paragraph should have a focus/reason that relates to your thesis and topic.

 

Focus/Reason #1: __________________________________________________

 

Topic Sentence: Will introduce the focus of the paragraph and serve as a transition between Introduction and body paragraph:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Example 1 from source that supports focus/reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

(Choose --- will you quote source information directly or paraphrase)

 

Explanation 1 your analysis of how the example supports the focus of your paragraph:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

The number of examples you use will very much depend on what your topic for that paragraph is and how convincing the example is. For every piece of source information you use should have your accompanying analysis.

Concluding ideas of how all the example (s) support your thesis (also serves as your transition):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

III. Body Paragraph #2

Below are the elements to include:

Each paragraph should have a focus/reason that relates to your thesis and topic.

 

Focus/Reason #1: __________________________________________________

 

Topic Sentence: Will introduce the focus of the paragraph and serve as a transition between Introduction and body paragraph:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Example 1 from source that supports focus/reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

(Choose --- will you quote source information directly or paraphrase)

 

Explanation 1 your analysis of how the example supports the focus of your paragraph:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Example 2 from source that supports focus/reason:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

(Choose --- will you quote source information directly or paraphrase)

 

Explanation 2 your analysis of how the example supports the focus of your paragraph:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Concluding ideasof how all the example (s) support your thesis (also serves as your transition):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

You'll note this guide includes concluding sentences for each paragraph.  These were added in not so much because every paragraph needs a formal conclusion, but rather to remind you how you should consistently be communicating to your readers why you're telling them what you're telling them.

 

IV. Concluding Paragraph

 

Below are the elements to include:

 

• sum up what X number of reasons have illustrated regarding your thesis
• some thoughts on the implications of what you've just said or shown

 

There is no set number of how many paragraphs you need to have or how much source information must be used within each paragraph. Just remember that each paragraph has to support your thesis. You have to explain why the points you are making are important. If you quote or paraphrase you need to support it by telling the reader why it is significant information to be aware of, what it proves, or how it helps justify your thesis.