The Research Paper A Step-By-Step Guide

Step Three The Formal Sentence Outline

Preparing to Write the Outline Now that you are conducting the actual research and taking notes, you must create a formal outline that will be used to guide the writing of the first draft of the research paper. The ideas in the formal sentence outline are more fully stated than those topics you identified in the working outline. Each heading is expressed in a complete sentence, usually consisting of one main clause.

Format for The Sentence Outline Follow the MLA guidelines for the outline –1 inch margins all around –Double space the entire document –Use a conventional numbering system Center the title of your paper on the first line At the left margin, type the word “Thesis” followed by a colon and your complete thesis statement –(Surely by now you have formulated an answer to your research question…use that answer to craft your thesis statement)…

The Thesis Statement 1.) The thesis statement should be expressed in one or two complete sentences. NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: The protagonist in The Great Gatsby. THESIS STATEMENT: The protagonist in The Great Gatsby is a flawed character. 2.) A thesis statement states the essay’s subject - the topic that you are discussing, but it also includes a focus - your assertion that conveys your point of view. NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: I am going to discuss Fitzgerald’s style. THESIS STATEMENT: Fitzgerald uses flashback to add authenticity to Nick’s narration. 3.) A thesis statement should express an opinion, an attitude or idea about the topic. It should NOT be just a fact. It reflects the essay’s purpose - either to give your readers information or to persuade your readers to agree with you. The thesis statement, therefore, is a statement that needs to be developed, supported or proved to the reader. NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: Jay Gatsby is a wealthy man. Now Practice: How can you turn the previous statement into a thesis statement? THESIS STATEMENT:

4.) The thesis statement should express only one idea about one topic. If a thesis statement contains two or more ideas, the essay runs the risk of lacking unity and coherence. NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: The Great Gatsby is a novel about disillusionment, and I have found that most people during this time period were extravagant. Now practice by turning the previous statement into two thesis statements. THESIS STATEMENT: 5.) The thesis should not contain words that are too general. Examples of general words include nice, good, interesting, boring, bad, dull, colorful, exciting, terrific, pleasant, bad, fantastic.. 6.) The thesis statement should be stated as clearly and as concisely as possible.

Evaluate the topics developed for the Working Outline –eliminate any that do not address the thesis –add any that you may have uncovered through the research process Build a sentence for each topic –each sentence is in the form of a statement, not a question –use the same verb tense throughout the outline when writing about literature use the present tense Format for The Sentence Outline

Your Information Last Name page # Title of Paper Thesis statement: One or two complete sentences go here. I. Major point 1 supporting thesis A. Second level point supporting major point 1 B. Another second level point supporting major point 1 1. Third level point supporting second level point 2. Another third level point supporting second level point a. Fourth level point supporting third level point b. Another fourth level point supporting third level point C. Another second level point supporting major point 1 II. Major point 2 supporting thesis [repeat pattern above with as many levels and points as needed] Review the sample sentence outline for How the Narrator Cultivates a rose for Emilysample sentence outline

Checklist Does your thesis statement sufficiently answer the research question? Do the topic headings reflect the content of your notes and comments? Is the information in the outline arranged logically? Have you fully exhausted your topic? Is there any ambiguity or any unresolved issues brought up by the thesis, but not addressed in the outline?

Bibliography 1. Reid, Joy M. The Process of Composition, 2nd Edition. (1982). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. A Division of Simon & Schuster. pp Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers, pp