Outlining a paper before you begin writing helps ensure your paper has a clear overall structure and forward momentum. A strong outline details each topic and subtopic in your paper, organizing these points so that they build your argument toward its conclusion. Writing from an outline can help you avoid tangents, fallacies, and underdeveloped paragraphs.
I. Your introduction provides context to your readers to prepare them for your paper's argument or purpose. An introduction should begin with discussion of your specific topic and provide just enough context to prepare your readers for your thesis or purpose statement.
A thesis or purpose statement should come at the end of your introduction and state clearly and concisely what the purpose or central argument of your paper is and include three major points for your position.
These three major points are the building blocks of your paper. Major points build on each other, moving the paper forward and toward its conclusion. Each major point should be a clear claim that relates to the central argument of your paper. Essentially, these major points will become the roadmap for your paper. Minor points, or subtopics will support each major point. Minor points develop your major points but may not be significant enough to warrant extended attention on their own. These may come in the form of statistics, examples from your sources, or supporting ideas.
II. First Major Point
a)
b)
III. Second Major Point
a)
b)
IV. Third Major Point
a)
b)
V. Your conclusion both restates your paper's major claim and ties that claim into a larger discussion. Rather than simply reiterating each major and minor point, quickly revisit your thesis statement, reframe it, and focus on ending the paper by tying your thesis into the current state of affairs or other future implications.
(retrieved from http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/318.htm)
I. Your introduction provides context to your readers to prepare them for your paper's argument or purpose. An introduction should begin with discussion of your specific topic and provide just enough context to prepare your readers for your thesis or purpose statement.
A thesis or purpose statement should come at the end of your introduction and state clearly and concisely what the purpose or central argument of your paper is and include three major points for your position.
These three major points are the building blocks of your paper. Major points build on each other, moving the paper forward and toward its conclusion. Each major point should be a clear claim that relates to the central argument of your paper. Essentially, these major points will become the roadmap for your paper. Minor points, or subtopics will support each major point. Minor points develop your major points but may not be significant enough to warrant extended attention on their own. These may come in the form of statistics, examples from your sources, or supporting ideas.
II. First Major Point
a)
b)
III. Second Major Point
a)
b)
IV. Third Major Point
a)
b)
V. Your conclusion both restates your paper's major claim and ties that claim into a larger discussion. Rather than simply reiterating each major and minor point, quickly revisit your thesis statement, reframe it, and focus on ending the paper by tying your thesis into the current state of affairs or other future implications.
(retrieved from http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/318.htm)
