Once you have a thesis that is approved by the teacher or that you feel is strong, you need to develop a short working outline. This allows you to focus the rest of your research more easily and with less confusion.
A working outline starts with your thesis statement and subsequently breaks down your argument into large subtopics. At this point, since you have only done preliminary research, your outline will be very basic
The kind of thesis you have determines the kind of outline you will have:
Basic argumentative Thesis:
“The entire college application process is flawed and needs to be overhauled to be valid.”
I. Thesis Paragraph Main Sentences:
A. Hook
B. Thesis Statement
II. Counterargument and Rebuttal Topic Sentence
A. First counter-argument and rebuttal
B. Second counter-argument and rebuttal
C. Etc.
III. Main argument #1 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
IV. Main argument #2 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
V. Main argument #3 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
Basic causal Thesis:
“White collar crime has risen in America for a number of reasons, but primarily because of the computer and the lack of police manpower.”
I. Thesis Paragraph Main Sentences
A. Hook
B. Thesis Statement
II. Reason #1 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
III. Reason #2 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
IV. Reason #3 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
V. Reason #4 Topic Sentence
A. Example
B. Example
C. Example
Basic evaluation Thesis:
“The best alternative car engine to date is the gas/electric hybrid developed currently by several Japanese companies.”
I. Thesis Paragraph Main Sentences
A. Hook
B. Explanation of the issue
C. Thesis Statement
II. Engine #1 Topic Sentence
A. Advantages
B. Drawbacks
C. Conclusions
III. Engine #2 Topic Sentence
A. Advantages
B. Drawbacks
C. Conclusions
IV. Etc.
V. Conclusion on best engine
Basic compare/contrast thesis:
“The communes of the 1840’s and the those of the 1960’s were similar both in why they formed and why they died out.”
I. Thesis Paragraph Main Sentences
A. Hook
B. Background of the topic
C. Thesis Statement
II. Why these communes formed in the first place (Topic Sentence)
A. Reason #1
1. 1840
2. 1960
B. Reason #2
1. 1840
2. 1960
III. Events that led to their dying out (Topic Sentence)
A. Events in 1840
B. Events in 1960
IV. Etc.