Post on 20-Jul-2020
5/15/2011 1Essay Outlines
You create an outline (usually in your head) when you are planning your essay. For major essays, you must construct one on paper. Your outline includes:
Your main idea (thesis);
Your subordinate points (the main idea of each paragraph);
Your supporting details (the content of each paragraph)
▪ In your head, it might look something like this:
5/15/2011 2Essay Outlines
5/15/2011 3Essay Outlines
4
This is a sample
essay outline
See how the outline is
broken down into
categories.
The large roman
numerals represent
paragraphs (I, II, …)
The capital letters
represent arguments
within the paragraph
(A, B…)
The numbers
represent points
within the argument.
Before we
begin, create
a template for
your outline
so that you
can work on it
as we look at
each of its
parts.
Your template
should look
like this:
5/15/2011 Essay Outlines 5
Introduction
• Begin with an interesting anecdote, a quote, or statistic to get your reader’s interest. The last sentence of your introduction should be the thesis of your paper: ‘For very different and interesting reasons, three cartoon fathers have changed the face of television in this era’.
Conclusion
• Begin your conclusion with a re-stated thesis (not the same as in the original, but similar). Briefly summarize the most important attributes of your body paragraphs and end the essay the way you began: with an anecdote, quote, or interesting statistic: ‘After all, as Homer might say: ‘Marge, my dear, I learned absolutely nothing’.
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• Works for the CIA.
• Captures Roger the alien.
• Shows respect for America.
• Displays low levels of intelligence.
Stan Smith
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Works on a fishing boat.
Drinks Pawtucket Pete beer.
Travels with his dog Brian.
Fights a giant chicken frequently.
Peter Griffin
Works at the nuclear power plant.
Hates his neighbor Flanders.
Loves his wife Marge dearly.
Chokes his son Bart often
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Homer
Simpson
Works
Captures
Shows
Displays
Works
Drinks
Travels
Fights
Works
Hates
Loves
Chokes
5/15/2011 Essay Outlines 10
Stan
• WORKS FOR THE CIA.
• Interrogated terrorists.
• Made strong coffee.
• Blew up several weapons of mass destruction.
Peter
• TRAVELS WITH HIS DOG BRIAN
• Toured the Pawtucket Beer factory.
• Became police officers in a hillbilly community.
• Went into rehab together.
Homer
• HATES HIS NEIGHBOR FLANDERS.
• Flanders represents all the qualities Homer doesn’t possess.
• Sobriety • Lawfulness
• Honesty • Loyalty
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Essay Outline
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Chandler i
The All-Time Best
Superheroes
I. Introduction
II. Stan Smith
III. Peter Griffin
IV.Homer Simpson
V. Conclusion
Essay
Title
Notice how each
subordinate point is
indicated with an
UPPERCASE
ROMAN NUMERAL?
Step Two
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Chandler i
Television Cartoon
DadsI. Introduction
Throughout television history, many characters have come and
gone, but few have the impact of Stan Smith, Peter Griffin, and
Homer Simpson.
II. Stan Smith
III. Peter Griffin
IV. Homer Simpson
V. Conclusion
TV dads like Stan Smith, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson
have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure icons
in cartoon history.
Step Three
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Chandler i
Television Cartoon Dads
I. Introduction
Throughout television history, many characters have come
and gone, but few have the impact of Stan Smith, Peter
Griffin, and Homer Simpson.
II. Stan Smith
A. Works for the CIA
B. Captures Roger the alien.
C. Shows respect for America
D. Displays low levels of intelligence
III. Peter Griffin
IV. Homer Simpson
V. Conclusion
TV dads like Stan Smith, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson
have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure
icons in cartoon history.
Indent
Chandler i
Television Cartoon Dads
I. Introduction
Throughout television history, many characters have come
and gone, but few have the impact of Stan Smith, Peter
Griffin, and Homer Simpson.
II. Stan Smith
A. Works for the CIA1. Interrogated terrorists.
2. Made strong coffee.
3. Blew up several weapons of mass destruction.
B. Captures Roger the alien
C. Shows respect for America
D. Displays low levels of intelligence
III. Peter Griffin
IV. Homer Simpson
Indent
Indent
II. Stan Smith
A. Works for the CIA
1. Interrogated prisoners
2. Made strong coffee
3. Blew up weapons of mass destruction
a. Toxic nerve gas
b. Nuclear bomb
c. Roger’s wine cellar
B. Captures Roger the Alien
C. Shows respect for America
D. Displays low levels of intelligence.
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IndentIn larger papers,
you may have to
further expand on
your expanded
supporting details.
III. Peter Griffin
A. Works on a fishing boat
B. Drinks Pawtucket Pete beer
C. Travels with his dog Brian
1. Toured the Pawtucket Beer factory.
2. Became police officers in a hillbilly
community.
3. Went into rehab together.
D. Fights a giant chicken frequently
5/15/2011 Essay Outlines 20
IV. Homer Simpson
A. Works at the nuclear power plant
B. Hates his neighbor Flanders
1. Flanders represents all the qualities Homer
doesn’t possess.
a. Sobriety
b. Lawfulness
c. Honesty
d. Loyalty
C. Loves his wife Marge dearly
D. Chokes his son Bart often5/15/2011 Essay Outlines 21