Universidad de Costa Rica
LM 1485 American Literary Survey
Annotated Outline Guidelines
WRITING THE ANNOTATED OUTLINE
I.
Start with a basic outline of your research paper. Make this outline as close to final form as possible.
The outline is the foundation of the paper—the basic framework on which you hang your ideas.
The annotations indicate the content level of each section and the substance of the paper’s
argument.
Sample Basic Outline:
Topic:
Thesis Statement:
I. Major Point (Topical: nouns, noun phrases, gerunds, infinitive form)
A.
B.
1.
2.
II. Major Point
A.
B.
III. Major Point
A.
B.
Concluding Statement
Annotated Outline
I. Keep the outline five sections. It should look—roughly—like a table of contents with abstracts
underneath each major heading.
II. Keep the headings or major points proportioned at the same level throughout the paper. Each
heading/major point should express the main idea of that section with perspicuity. The annotated outline is
not the place for details.
III. Keep the annotations directly stated, at a level of generalization that summarizes the entire section.
Discuss the main idea—the major contribution—of each section, not the details.
IV, The annotations should reveal an orderly movement of thought from introduction to conclusion. The
reader should immediately recognize a relationship between the sections.
V. For each heading or major point, use a topic sentence that directly expresses the main idea of the section.
The annotations beneath each heading must be directly related to this topic sentence—do not ramble about the
details of the section, but rather elaborate on the section’s main idea. The annotations should contain roughly
three to six sentences under each heading—enough to give the reader a clear idea of each section’s contents,
and no more.
VI. Remember—the annotated outline should help you conceptualize the larger paper and make timely
progress toward the paper’s completion.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Use a consistent structure in your main headings and your sub-headings. This means you should construct
sub-headings in the exact same way you construct your headings. Start each heading with a full sentence
and every successive heading with a full sentence too.
2. Step 2
Coordinate information in headings and sub-headings. Make sure the information contained in each main
heading has equal significance. The information in the sub-headings should be of equal significance and
coordinated to match the information in the main headings.
3. Step 3
Use subordination in your headings and sub-headings. The main headings should present general
information and the sub-headings should present more specific information related to the information
presented in the main headings.
4. Step 4
Use Roman numerals to identify main headings and capital letters for sub-headings. This is called an
alphanumeric outline. You can also use Arab numerals and lowercase letters. Use MLA style of writing.
Annotated Outline Sample
Topic: Refer to the development of your topic.
For example, if you are writing about Roberto Fernandez Wrong Channel and you want to elaborate
on how historical geopolitical issues have operated in detriment of Cuban Americans in The United
States, in this section, explain your intentions to describe the portrayal of the two cultures in the text
and the diminishing of one in respect to the other
Title: Roberto Fernandez Wrong Channel: The Undermining and Discrimination of Cuban Americans within
Contemporary America
Thesis Statement: In spite of the beneficial historical-political conditions surrounding the emigration of
Cubans towards the United States and their economic assimilation in that country, the new generations of
Cuban Americans have been forced to confront marginalization on behalf of the American hegemony.
Introduction
Topic Sentence: Refer to the description of your introduction.
For example, you may refer to a description of political and historical conditions that motivated the
emigration of Cubans to the US and/or to reception as political refugees and their economic
assimilation. You may also describe their political conditions nowadays.
A. Refer to the context and describe the elements you will use to justify your thesis
B. Refer to text, author, plot, and conflicts.
C. Define any term you will use that needs to be defined. For example, emigration, assimilation,
marginalization, hegemony, etc.
C.S. Wrap up the ideas in your introduction in your concluding statement.
I. Topic Sentence: Current mainstream hegemonic culture subordinates Cuban Americans through civilian
procedures.
Annotated Quotation: “With the threat of a mass migration looming on the horizon after an influx of rafters
from Cuba, the U.S. government offered a harsh treatment” Johnson , Comparative Racialization:
Culture and National Origin in the Latina/o Communities, 1997
A. In USA mainstream culture, Cuban Americans are forced to undergo oppressive procedures to gain
the right of living in the country.
1. Oppressive procedures are seen through Barbarita’s characterization in the story.
2. Denial in plot (attitudes when terms such as sorry, can´t, no, grimly) also offers examples of
discrimination.
B. Representatives of the hegemonic prove their domination through their position in superior social
positions.
Annotated Quotation: “The dominance of one culture over the other has acquired the connotation of
political dominance in regard to activities and attitudes of superpowers like the USA” Childers Modern
Literary Criticism p.131
- The roles of the nurse and the doctor prove a superior status.
-Cuban characters are in the hands of the decisions these characters make.
C.S.: In spite of Cubans historical background, USA hegemony has established a legitimated discriminating
system of attaining citizenship.
II. Topic Sentence: Linguistic barriers also depict an ironic lack of competence on cultural affairs on behalf
of Cuban Americans.
Annotated Quotation: “Using language as a measurement of assimilation is an integral way of demonstrating
a social change and status.” Lara M. Bueso, Cubans: Anomaly or Pioneers?
A. Fernandez uses the differences between the Spanish and English language systems and irony to
denote lack of competence and assimilation
1. The phonetic sounds of letters “V” and “B” prove a linguistic difference.
2. This difference connotes a dissimilar cultural background.
B. The role of the television machine serves to display a historical high-valued principle in the identity of
American people.
C.S.: A lack of competence and assimilation serves to criticize discriminatory attitudes towards Cuban
Americans.
III. Topic Sentence: Fernandez story openly criticizes the American materialistic values enhancing Cubans
attitudes.
Annotated Quotation: “The earliest settlers saw America as the embodiment of their hopes, a land of infinite
resources and opportunities where they could construct the ideal society and acquire material goods” Miller,
The United States in Literature.
A. Historical heritage certainly defines the USA “This is America”.
B. The contrast between the Cuban culture and the American one proves the Cubans more human
when a TV and a life are compared.
C.S.: The value of attaining a green card to have healthy life conditions is enhanced when compared to live to
attain material goods.
.
Conclusion: The representation of the Cuban American subjectivity through Barbarita’s experience not only
criticizes the marginalization to which they are exposed but also openly criticizes American values towards
materialism.
A. The story proposes an awareness and a denounce of discrimination
B. The story also criticizes the overvalue Americans give to materialism and consumerism.
C. I propose …….
C.S. Assertively, Fernandez appeals for social change.
Works Cited
- Johnson . . . .
- Childers . . .
- Miller. . .
___________________________________________________________________________________
1. Elaborate a formal MLA Annotated Outline:
a)
It must contain a strong well-stated thesis statement (argumentative and hypothetical).
b)
The essay must have at least 5 paragraphs, introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a
concluding paragraph, with all its corresponding elements of analysis again using MLA
format.
c.
You must include at least three in-text citations with their corresponding bibliographical entry
(academic).
3. You must analyze stories from the periods that we have discussed.
4. All submissions should be typed, doubled-spaced, and have a work-cited list.