Preparing an Outline

This assignment is a rough outline of your research paper. Bring a print copy of your proposed outline to class (be sure to check the location on the class schedule) and post a digital version on your assigned Blackboard Discussion Group the day before class.  A good outline will include the following:

I. Introduction (What is your research question? By now you should have narrowed this to a topic that can be properly covered in a one-semester term paper. It is probably much narrower than your original question.)

II. Proposed Thesis statement (This should be a working thesis. In other words, from what you have found so far, what do you plan to argue in your paper?)

III. Evidence (In this section outline the paper's story and suggest what types of evidence support your proposed thesis statement. In other words, in general, what sources are you planning to use. What events, ideas, and people they discuss help to support your thesis?)

IV. Summary and Conclusion (You will probably not have a summary or conclusion yet. But include space for this section of your paper on your outline---remember, an outline is a map that helps you plan where you are going with your paper.)

Your outline maybe be longer than this example suggests. However, all outlines must include the elements listed above.