Producing an Amazing Research Outline Step by step instructions for success

Set up your Outline in MLA format  Note that you should have a header (your name, my name, period, date [day month year])  You also need a title (“outline” is okay)  Notice that it is SINGLE SPACED but still at 1 inch margins

Thesis First: Always!  First, type the word “Thesis” and a colon “:”  Then, type your thesis. Remember your thesis should have parallel structure & should only be 1-2 sentences!

Start with Roman Numeral One [ I ]  Roman numeral [ I ] is your first subtopic (reason).  Write a complete sentence including a transition

Then, letter “A”  Letter a is a SUBTOPIC of your SUBTOPIC (A reason for your reason)  Should also have a transition & should be a complete sentence.

ALL ROMAN NUMERALS AND CAPITAL LETTERS SHOULD BE YOUR OWN WORDS!

Then, the number ‘1’  Numbers come from your NOTES  You need EVIDENCE to back up ALL your REASONS!  How many pieces per reason minimum?

Then, the number ‘1’  All numbers should have a parenthetical citation!

ALL NUMBERS COME FROM YOUR NOTES AND HAVE A PARENTHETICAL CITATION!

Parenthetical Citations  Are derived from the Works Cited.  You take whatever is out in front the author’s last name (McMillen Shortened version of the title (“Year-Round”  add the paragraph or page number a page number= # (“Year Round” 6) a paragraph number = par. # (McMillen par. 6)

A Second letter “A”  After you finish with the evidence, you need a conclusion sentence for the subtopic, so you need a second letter A

Rinse and Repeat…well, just repeat.

Click on the sample outline w/notes for more information Click on the outline template to begin your own outline