1. Producing an Amazing Research Outline
Step by step instructions for success 

2. 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

3. Thesis First: Always! Direction Focus Stability
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!
Direction
Focus
Stability

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

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

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

7. Then, the number ‘1’ 2 Numbers come from your NOTES
You need EVIDENCE to back up ALL your REASONS!
How many pieces per reason minimum? 2

8. Then, the number ‘1’
All numbers should have a parenthetical citation!
Do summaries and paraphrases have citations?
What is a direct quote?
What do all direct quotes need?
yes
" "

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

10. 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)

11. focus points 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

12. Rinse and Repeat…well, just repeat.

13. Now you try with the sample…
List one way thesis statements give papers stability:
1. List what you would put here:
2. List what you would put here:
A. What is the second A for?
B. List a second way a thesis statement gives papers stability:
B. What is the second B for?
II. What is the second II for?

14. Now it’s time to start your own
Best of luck! You should have most of the back of the handout completed today!
Outline: Due by FRIDAY (we will be in the library). PRINTED AND IN YOUR HANDS.