A Sample Outline
The literary research essay outline found on the next four pages delineates for you the
important components of this kind of performance task. It also provides for you an advanced
organizer for your argument and gives you a system for listing your key research facts that will
be incorporated into the essay.
Following these components will expedite the rough draft writing process and assist you with
the organization of your Works Cited page—the final page of the MLA literary research essay.
Complete this outline as a pen to paper exercise or scan it into your phone so you have a
facsimile of it at your keyboard.
ENG/OLC/EWC/ETS 4U1 or 4C1 or 4E1--
I.
A LITERARY RESEARCH ESSAY OUTLINE

NAME: _____________________________________________________________

TOPIC: _____________________________________________________________

PATTERN OF ARGUMENT: five paragraph literary research essay (weakest argument to the strongest
argument)
INTRODUCTION (5-6 topic sentences to capture your reader’s attention; include at least one secondary
source quotation to show that you have researched your topic; this quotation could appear as an
epigraph that appears as the first lines of the essay under the centred title—ask your teacher if they like
reading epigraphs at the outset of essays since some instructors frown on this stylized strategy):
THESIS STATEMENT (what you’re going to prove):
PREVIEW STATEMENT (how you’re going to prove it)
(List your areas of discussion to be used in the body of the essay to support your thesis; the preview statement could be incorporated in the
thesis statement )
II.
BODY OF THE ESSAY
A.
____________________________________
(first sub-topic of discussion—weakest argument)
Topic sentences:
Quotation from primary source (include Writer’s Name or Source Article and Page Number in an embedded note for all
quotations used throughout this outline):
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from secondary source:
Follow up discussion:
Conclusion to body paragraph A:
B.
____________________________________
(second sub-topic of discussion—second strongest argument)
Topic sentences (bridge statements that create flow and unity in your essay):
Quotation from primary source:
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from secondary source:
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from primary source:
Follow up discussion:
Conclusion to body paragraph B:
C.
____________________________________ (third sub-topic of discussion; strongest argument)
Topic sentences (bridge statements to create flow and unity in your paper):
Quotation from primary source:
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from secondary source:
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from primary source:
Followup discussion:
Quotation from secondary source:
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from primary source:
Follow up discussion:
Quotation from secondary source:
Conclusion to body paragraph C:
III.
CONCLUSION TO ESSAY:
Restate the thesis and end the essay with closing remarks that are summative, clear, and concise
IV.
WORKS CITED (LOADING THE SOURCES YOU USED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN THE ESSAY
On a separate page, list your primary and secondary sources in proper MLA alphabetical order. See A
Pocket Style Manual or Documenting Sources in MLA Style: 2009 Update for MLA citation rules.
Example of a Print Primary Source Citation.
Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. New York: Dell Publishing, 1991. Print.
Examples of Alphabetized Print and Web Secondary Source Citations
Gregg, Victor. “I survived the bombing of Dresden and continue to believe it was a war crime.” Latest
news, sport, and comment from The Guardian / The Guardian. Guardian News and Media
Limited, 15 February 2013. Web. 22 July 2013
“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research, 8 April 2011. Web. 22 July 2013.
Stewart, James Michael. Narrative Techniques in the Novels of Kurt Vonnegut. Kingston, Ontario: Queen’s
University, 1984. Print.
Vees-Gulani, Susanne. Trauma and Guilt: Literature of Wartime Bombing in Germany. Germany: Walter
de Gruyter GmbH & Co., 2003. Web.