How to create an outline
Creating an outline for your
paper or report is a good way
for you to represent clearly the
main points of your argument.
An outline is the framework for
your paper. You will use it, and
the sources you have gathered, to
construct a persuasive argument.
There are many ways to create
outlines. The easiest way is to begin
by writing your thesis statement at
the top of the page and to focus
your outline around this statement.
Let’s use
this example:
Thesis: Many myths are based on factual events, such as floods or the
Trojan, War and so myths can be used to learn more about history.
In order to prove the statement true
or false, you will need to break it apart
into smaller arguments, which we shall
call the major topics of the paper.
You may use the notes you have taken
during the resource gathering phase, as well
as supporting items you know to be true. If
you have taken notes on cards, it is usually
helpful to sort the notes into groups.
Example: While the Iliad is not accepted as a wholly
factual account of the Trojan War, there is evidence that
Troy existed and that there was a war fought in that area.
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For each of your major topics, think of two to
three supporting statements. These statements
will come from your research notes and will
become the major focus of each paragraph.
These supporting statements are designated
with capital letters in the outline.
Example: While the Iliad is not accepted as a wholly factual account
of the Trojan War, there is evidence that Troy existed and that there
was a war fought in that area.
A. German scholar Heinrich Schliemann excavated an area that
many believe includes the city of Troy.
B. The war was part of an overall struggle to control trade
routes.
Finally, you will want to learn from your
research what ideas back up each of these
supporting statements. These documentary
points are indicated in the outline by
numbers followed by a period. Even more
specific points under these are indicated
with lower case letters followed by a period.
Example: A. German scholar Heinrich Schliemann excavated an area
that many believe includes the city of Troy.
1. Schliemann found Troy at level VIIa
2. The city was destroyed by fire in about the 13th or early 12th
century BC.
Like everything else in the process, the outline is not written in
stone. You may find that you need to rearrange some of the points
to make a stronger case or add new ones. The outline will also
graphically illustrate where you need more supporting evidence,
which will help focus the resource gathering process.
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of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Now you try it.
Use the thesis to create a major topic, then give at least
two pieces of supporting evidence for that topic. Use the
Britannica ‘mythology’ article and other related articles to
help.
Example thesis: Many myths are based on factual
events, such as floods or the Trojan War, and so myths can be used to learn more about history.
A. ___________________________________________________________________
1. ______________________________________________________________
a. ________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
B. ___________________________________________________________________
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
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of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.