Here are two sample outlines worked on in class (one each in the 9:30 and 11:30 section).
In the first, we re-organized the outline to follow the process of production, use and
disposal of the cars. In the second, we re-organized the outline so that the main points all
relate to different types of plastic waste.
In both cases a fundamental principle emerges: Each level of the outline (main points,
sub-points, sub-sub-points, and so on) should draw from one key concept of the thesis.
For example, the second thesis below can be said to have three main concepts: United
States, benefit, and plastic waste. Each of these can be broken down into smaller pieces:
United States
 Land
 Water
 Ecosystems
 Industry
 Etc.
Benefit
 Economic
 Environmental
 Resources
 Quality of Life
 Etc.
Plastic Waste
 Bottles
 Bags
 Packaging
 Etc.
The original version of this outline used elements from two concepts for the main points
(top level of the outline): types of benefits (resources) and types of waste (bottles, bags).
The revised version uses only types of waste for the main points, and types of benefits for
the sub-points (next level down in the hierarchy).
Similarly, the first example below uses one concept—“hybrid and electric cars”—for its
main points, breaking that down into three phases of the life of the car: production, use
and disposal. Those are used for the top level of the hierarchy, without mixing in other
elements of the thesis (“bad for the environment”). Instead, those other elements provide
the material for sub-claims (the next level down).
Thesis: Hybrid and electric cars have a negative environmental impact.
Note: This outline is incomplete and has not yet been completely re-organized to
reflect the new structure. It is here simply as a record of how far we got in our 50minute session.
I.
II.
Making hybrids and electrics is bad for the environment
a. Hybrids and electric cars are adding to land and air pollution
b. Hybrids use rare metals like nickel, lithium, etc.
i. Drilling for these metals and minerals just as harmful as drilling
for oil
ii. These metals/minerals are in low supply, so drilling for them
depletes natural resources
Driving hybrids and electrics is bad for the environment
a. Driving is one of the most polluting activities people do
i. Dirty energy is used to run these vehicles
III.
ii. CO2 is harmful to the environment and contributes to climate
change
b. Hybrids use gasoline
i. Cars have tailpipe emissions
ii. Tailpipe emissions include CO2
iii. Drilling for oil is bad for the environment and destroys natural land
Disposing of hybrids and electrics is bad for the environment
Thesis: The US would benefit from reducing plastic waste.
This thesis was revised so that it would be more in line with what the outline actually
argues. Remember, you can revise either your thesis or your outline to bring them into
closer alignment.
This is the original version of the outline. Notice that the first main point addresses one of
the main concepts (“benefit”) while the second and third main point address a different
main concept (“plastic waste”).
I.
II.
III.
Re-using plastic waste will conserve resources and produce less waste
a. US Production of plastic has increased and the waste is a threat to our
resources
b. Reusing plastic will conserve resources
c. Reusing plastic will produce less plastic waste
Awareness of recycling plastic bottles will cause fewer bottles to end up
becoming litter, and in landfills
a. Plastic bottles are some of the major contributors to the overall plastic
waste in the US
b. Awareness will cause people to recycle plastic bottles more
c. Recycling bottles will no longer make them litter polluting the
environment or in landfills
A ban on plastic bags will cause fewer plastic bags to end up in the ocean
[Connection to the US?]
a. Plastic bags are ending up in oceans
b. Plastic bags in the oceans are a major problem
c. A ban on plastic bags will benefit marine life
i. This will benefit the US fishing industry
d. Alternate bags will replace plastic bags and will be just as efficient.
Here is a revised version, showing the organization by different types of waste (all
main points are from the same concept in the thesis):
Note: This outline is incomplete. It is here simply as a record of how far we got
in our 50-minute session.
I.
Reducing plastic bottles will benefit the US
a. There are economic benefits to reducing plastic bottles.
II.
III.
b. There are environmental benefits to reducing plastic bottles.
c. There are resource benefits to reducing plastic bottles.
d. There are quality of life benefits to reducing plastic bottles.
Reducing plastic bags will benefit the US
Reducing plastic packaging will benefit the US