Outlining

Here are some “stems” to help you with the wording and transitions of your paper:

Thesis:

If you are choosing to “go against the grain” of a popular debated topic:

           Although the ____(issue)______ is considered to be ___(statement of general opinion on topic)___, ____(your opinion on topic)____ is important to consider given the ongoing debate about the____(issue’s points of contention)__.

If you are choosing to take a different perspective not highlighted by research:

           Both _____(one side of the debate)______ and ___(a second perspective)_____ have merits and drawbacks, however, perhaps we need to consider _______(your own take)_______ when trying to come to a resolution/solution for ___(issue)________.

Appropriate transitions:

           “To further support ___(first source’s)______ idea, ___(second source)________ states that “…..”.”

           “However, ___(second source)__________ would disagree and instead claims that __(claim of source 2)____”

“The ___(one lens/perspective)____, ___(second lens and perceptive)____, and ___(third lens and perspective)____ each have their own stake in ­­­­_____(the issue)______.”

“Some experts agree that _______(list the topics of agreement among sources)________.”

“To a lesser extent”….

“An additional consideration”…

To introduce sources:

“_____(Source A)______, which has been researching/studying/writing/analyzing/experimenting, has come to the conclusion that…”

“As experts who have done __(research style)_______ over the course of __(time period)__, __(names/organizations)__ believe…”