Research Paper Outline
TAKE OUT YOUR
RESEARCH NOTES,
WRITER’S NOTEBOOK, AND
PEN/PENCIL.
Outline Format
Kristine Byrnes
February 2, 2014
Verbal Gate Period 7/9
Outline
Topic: The Freedom Rides
Thesis: The Freedom Rides were significant to the advancement of civil rights
in the United States and an essential component in the Civil Rights
Movement.
I. Background
A. 1950’s
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott began.
a. Following the arrest of Rosa Parks
b.
Thesis Statement
 Today’s Objective:
 Today,
I will be able to develop a thesis
statement. I’ll know I’ve got it when I can write
a strong thesis statement which introduces my
topic to my reader without giving away detailed
information.
Thesis Statement
 Thesis statement states the claim that will be in the
paper.
 First, think about what you can say about your
event (generally).
Advanced
the C.R.
movement
Led to a lot
of violence
Freedom
Rides
Integrated
bus rides
US 1961 (after
buses were
desegregated)
Thesis Statement
Topic: The Freedom Rides
Thesis: The Freedom Rides were significant to the
advancement of civil rights in the United States and
an essential component in the Civil Rights
Movement.
Active Involvement
Meet with your research
group.
Draw a web/list of important
things you can say about
your topic.
Active Involvement
The most important thing you
can say about your event is that
it helped the advancement of the
civil rights movement and was
important to the movement as a
whole.
Today’s Task
Work independently to
draft your thesis
statement.
Research Paper Outline
TAKE OUT YOUR
RESEARCH NOTES,
WRITER’S NOTEBOOK, AND
PEN/PENCIL.
Thesis Statement
 Today’s Objective:
 Today,
I will be able to organize my research
information by outlining the background
paragraph. I’ll know I’ve got it when I can write
an outline that addresses all of the major points
for this paragraph in a logical order.
Outline - Background
I. Background
A. 1950’s
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott began.
a. Following the arrest of Rosa Parks
b.
Outline - Background
 Step 1:
 Review your background notes for themes/common
topics. Then, label these as subtopics.

For example: “Important People” “Planning” “Previous
Laws”
Outline - Background
 Step 2:
 Organize each subtopic. Number your facts. The
most important facts should come first.

Make sure you’re organizing your information in a
logical manner.
Outline - Background
 Step 3:

Write your information in your outline.
I. Background (Paragraph Topic)
A. 1950’s (Subtopic)
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott began. (First Important
Fact)
a. Following the arrest of Rosa Parks (Additional
info about that fact)
b.