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Outline (directions)

Heading

Name

Class

Due date

Title

The headline for your paper. Should be unique and interesting. The best titles are usually done after the paper is written.
Format – catchy phrasing: connection to title/ characters. Do not capitalize, underline or use quotation marks in your title. If you include the title of the novel only that is underlined or in italics.

Examples: Would you rather watch TV Drama, or Lost? Soap Opera, or The Young and the Restless. Do not use “My Essay” or the title(s) of the book(s), the authors already have.

I. Introductory paragraph

“Funnel” introduction: Starts broad (general) and ends narrow (specific).
At least 5-7 sentences, plus a thesis statement not as the first sentence.
Hook your reader. Begin with a generalization that connects your thesis' topic to motifs in the book, not the characters in the text specifically. Make statements relevant to your thesis' topic by rewording a provided prompt or explaining a theme.
The introduction acts as a map to your topic. Preview ideas in body topics and logically lead to your thesis. Define terms you use.
Include the TAG: title, author and genre of the book at the first mention of the characters, not within thesis.
End with a thesis to show the exact direction you’re headed.

Thesis: State clearly what you’ll prove. Must be debatable (opinion stated as fact). Consider relevant prompt or theme (see "hook") and answer the "how" and "why" with details specific to the characters.

In this essay I will prove that ________________________________________.

Now, delete “In this essay I will prove that” and you should have your thesis.

II. Body paragraphs

Topic sentences: States the main idea of the paragraph AND relates to thesis.
Do not use: “In this paragraph…” or “I’m going to tell you about…” or “This paragraph will be about…” You wouldn’t begin a story to a friend by saying, “In this story I’m going to tell you about a conversation I had.” You would say, “Jim and I had the weirdest talk last night,” and your friend would understand the topic of your story.
Supporting ideas: Explain your point and develop your insight about how this example supports your thesis. Do not give plot summary. Your purpose is to argue a point (thesis). Remember, a body paragraph is not simply a quote sandwich; develop ideas around your thesis and use a quote as evidence within the paragraph.
Quote sandwiches: Set up speaker, situation, lead-in > quotation (MLA format) > analysis (importance, conclusions, word choice, thesis connection); for outline simply include start of quotes and page #s.
Concluding sentences: Sums up the point of the paragraph and may include a transition to the next one. Reminder of what the reader was supposed to understand. Allows writer to make sure s/he stayed on topic. Slightly different from topic sentence, should answer question, “So what was the point of that paragraph, anyway?”

III. Concluding paragraph

Opposite of “funnel” introduction, starts narrow (specific) and ends broad (general). Review what you said and make some final point. Repetition helps us remember ideas.
Revisit thesis, mention again what you were proving in your essay.
Summarize main points. Do not copy and paste from introduction.
Connect your essay back to life in general, to human nature. Attempt to answer question, “So what?” Consider the author's purpose/ message.

Tips: Always write in present tense -Never use "I" or "you" and avoid "one" -Avoid plot summary

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