Formal Outline Guidelines
- Outline MUST BE TYPED.
- INTRODUCTION & CONCLUSION. Must be in paragraph form.
Intro. par.: begin with a hook, followed by background information that the reader needs to get an
overview/historical context of your topic as well as to understand the thesis statement, which is
likely your last sentence.
Thesis: one analytic sentence that presents your full argument
Concluding par.: one paragraph summary, which also provides closure to the paper.
- ESSAY BODY. Designate major sections of your paper (e.g., topics covered in multiple paragraphs)
with Roman numerals. Then map out EACH paragraph of the essay under the appropriate major
section.
Designate paragraphs with Capital letters. Write a full topic sentence for each paragraph next to the
appropriate capital letter.
Topic Sentence: analytic sentence that supports thesis; it must reflect the full ideas in the paragraph
(and all in paragraph must be relevant to topic sentence).
Indent clearly (5 spaces) and write the actual information/evidence you will use in each paragraph in
outline form below the topic sentence. Do NOT use complete sentences.
Outline body paragraphs with EVIDENCE that supports thesis as well as demonstrates your
understanding of your topic and its historical context, as applicable.
Write MLA format Parenthetical CITATION at the end of relevant line, as needed (quotes,
another author’s interpretations, obscure or controversial info, maps/statistics or your primary
material)
Outline Sample Format -- For essay body, you MUST map out EACH paragraph.
I. Section Title (i.e., Introduction)
II. Section Title
underneath: double spaced full intro paragraph
(e.g., Childhood – assumes have multiple paragraphs on this topic)
A. Full Analytical Topic Sentence written out here for first body paragraph
1. Evidence
a. Detail about ‘1’ (Last name author 57)
b. Detail about ‘1’
i. Further detail about ‘b’ here
ii. Further detail about ‘b’ here
2. Evidence
3. Evidence (Last name 4)
B. Full Analytical Topic Sentence written out here for second body paragraph
ETC.
CHECKLIST FOR HONORS BIOGRAPHY OUTLINE
Essay is about the PERSON. The majority of the outline should be about your person!
Introduction: do you have a hook to catch the reader’s attention?
does reader have a good sense of who this person is and what he/she has done?
you’re telling a STORY – have you provided access to the story? a preview or
overview to the story?
Thesis:
does it reflect your analysis of the “significance” of your subject?
go beyond description -- so get a sense of a “how” or a “why”? avoid cliché?
are thesis ideas integrated/woven explicitly throughout the paper?
Topic Sentences:
Evidence:
do they support the thesis? structure your telling of the ‘story’?
are they analytic? (i.e., not simply a statement of fact or description)
do they ‘match’ the evidence in the paragraphs? (i.e., TS reflects full info and all
ideas in TS are supported by evidence)
only ONE sentence?
do you have sufficient evidence/explanation to support each topic sentence?
have you provided evidence/explanation for ALL aspects of your thesis?
have you included significant use of and citation for secondary/primary research?
(i.e., put your subject’s story into historical context)
does your research flow well in the overall essay structure?
Chronology: included years (or dates) as you go to track chronology for reader?
Citations:
have you included citations in MLA format? in text: (Name)
in bib: Purdue, Pete. Personal interview. 1 Dec. 2000.
cited direct quotes? cited opinions or beliefs? cited unfamiliar info? cited statistics?
cited primary sources?
ATTACHED A WORKS CITED?
Conclusion:
does it bring a sense of closure to paper?
is it clear to someone who does not read all the paragraphs above it?
STORY:
have you told an engaging Story? set in an historical context?
have you told a FULL STORY? (i.e., both satisfying sense of a cohesive
story that has substance and will be 8-10 pages)
Formal Style: 3rd person, no contractions, avoid passive verbs, avoid ‘to be’ verbs, avoid “things”