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Writing an Outline |
An
outline is a “blueprint” or “plan” for your paper. It helps you to organize your thoughts and arguments.
A good outline can make conducting research and then writing the paper very
efficient. Your outline page must
include your:
Roman
numeral I should be your “Introduction”. In the introduction portion of your paper,
you’ll want to tell your reader what your paper is about and then tell what
your paper hopes to prove (your thesis).
So an Introduction gives an overview of the topic and your thesis
statement.
The
final Roman numeral should be your “Conclusion”. In the conclusion, you summarize what you
have told your reader.
Following
are 3 sample outlines, from actual student papers. YOUR outline can be MORE detailed, or might
be LESS detailed. Remember that a good
outline makes writing easier and more efficient.
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Sample Outline
#1 Title: Frederick
Douglass Thesis: Frederick Douglass played a crucial role in securing the abolition of slavery and equality of African-American rights through his actions, ideas, and efforts as a lecturer, author/publisher, and politician. I. Introduction A. Thesis B. Roles/Arguments II. Douglass as Lecturer A. History as slave and acquisition of education 1) He “experienced slavery” 2) Literacy allowed expression B. Early lectures, including initial speech before Garrison 1) Success of initial speech 2) Goals for future speeches C. Effect of lectures on society 1) Open eyes 2) Encourage activism III. Douglass as Author/Publisher A. Narrative’s success and effect 1) Springboard for paper B. Goals/hopes for paper C. Garrison set-back and significance D. Significance of Paper IV. Douglass as Politician A. Key trait for success B. Goal of political activism C. Efforts for Republican party 1) Significance of efforts D. Black soldier enlistment crusade E. Joining of Republican party 1) Significance of efforts V. Conclusion A. Summarize arguments and efforts |
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Sample Outline
#2 Title: The Federalist Papers’
Influence on the Ratification of the Constitution Thesis: The
Federalist Papers influenced
the ratification of the Constitution by making some of their most important
arguments, including the importance of being in a Union by having a
Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-federalists about
separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made against the
characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the
Constitution. I. Introduction a. Describe The Federalist Papers are and when they started b. Thesis: The Federalist influenced the ratification of the Constitution by making some of their most important arguments, including the importance of being in a Union by having a Constitution, answering to the objections made by the Anti-federalists about separation of powers, and defending opposing arguments made against the characteristics of the executive and judicial branch as provided in the Constitution. II. Background a. State when The Federalist was printed and published. b. Discuss the intentions and purposes of The Federalist.
III.
Argument for the benefit of a a. A
b. A
A. The “extended sphere” argument about how it will control factions. (Federalist 10) IV. Argument of the problem with complete separation of powers a. Anti-federalists wanted a complete separation of the judicial, executive, and legislative branches b. The Federalist said the maxim of complete separation of powers is misunderstood. (Montesquieu) c. The branches need some limited power of the other branches to protect themselves from encroachment of the other branches (Federalist 51) A. The branches need to have the interests of maintaining their powers, and not letting the other branches take that away. V. Argument for a single executive, and against a plural executive a. Anti-federalists didn’t want a single executive, too much like a monarch b. The
Federalist need the executive to be “energetic” and a plural executive
would make this impossible (Federalist 70) A.
It would take too long for the people in the
executive position to make decision in an emergency, because they might
disagree. B.
In a plural executive, it is hard to tell who is
responsible for a wrongdoing because they can all blame each other, so a
single executive would lead to more responsible behavior
VI.
Argument in favor of judicial review and terms of
good behavior for judges a. Anti-federalists
didn’t like judicial review and the term of good behavior b. The
Federalist argued that judicial review was necessary to protect the judicial
branch from the Legislature. c. A
term of good behavior was necessary to get qualified people for the positions;
it would also give them time to develop knowledge.
VII.
Conclusion a. Thesis b. The
dates of the ratification of the Constitution by the States c. The
Federalist’s influence beyond the ratification |
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Sample Outline
#3 Title: Common Sense and Its Impact on American Political Thought Thesis: Thomas Paine’s Common
Sense articulated the anti-British sentiments of the Colonies in a way so
unprecedented that it permanently changed the face of political thought in I.
Intro: A. Thesis:
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
articulated the anti-British sentiments of the Colonies in a way so
unprecedented that it permanently changed the face of political thought in II.
What did Common
Sense say that was so different? A. It
denounced both the monarchy and the English Constitution, which had
previously been looked upon as a brilliant political document. Americans
realized the inherent fallacies of hereditary government (specifically
monarchy) as well as the English Constitution which protected the monarchy. B. It
called for Americans to disconnect themselves from the flawed British system
and create a new one for themselves. Common Sense questioned the
long-standing belief that residents of the colonies were inseparably connected
to C. It
also outlined the benefits of a republican government, which would go on to
influence the ideas of the Founding Fathers as they created a new government
for their new country. III.
What was Common
Sense’s immediate effect on the Colonies? A. The
debate in the American Colonies shifted from that of reconciliation with B. It
was read by an unprecedented number of colonists and united a great majority
of them behind independence. C. It
inspired American intellectuals with its call for independence, leading to
the composition of the Declaration of Independence a mere six months later. IV.
What were Common
Sense’s long term effects? A. It
changed the connotation of the word “revolution” to something that looked to
the future. “Revolution” became a word of innovation rather than renovation. B. It
permanently cemented the idea of a republican, non-hereditary government into
the heads of Americans. Common Sense’s
design for a republican government, and its basic principles were carried on
to the Constitution. V.
Conclusion A. Common Sense’s eloquent, articulate,
and unprecedented arguments led to a permanent change in American political
thought. |