ELI100
Tremblay
1
Templates for Writing the Outline of a Critical Essay
In this document, you will find two different templates for writing a critical essay outline. You
may decide to adopt one or the other, according to your preference. Remember that these
templates are to guide you in your writing process and may be adapted if need be.
Critical Essay Type I
Introduction
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Original source (author, article)
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Broad description of the original work (type of essay, topic, thesis, etc.)
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Your thesis (why you agree and/or disagree with the author)
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Overall structure of your essay (first…, then…, finally…)
Summary of the Original Work
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Reformulation of the author’s thesis
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Main idea #1 and supporting information (no details)
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Main idea #2 and supporting information (no details)
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Main idea #3 and supporting information (no details)
ELI100
Tremblay
2
Your Critique/Evaluation
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Reformulation of your thesis
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Main ideas/arguments you agree with
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Main ideas/arguments you find problematic
Conclusion
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Recapitulation on the author’s main ideas/arguments (brief)
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Recapitulation on what you agree with, what you find problematic, and why
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Concluding sentence (let the reader think - concluding strategies GL p. 161)
ELI100
Tremblay
3
Critical Essay Type 2
Introduction
______________________________________________________________________
Original source (author, article)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Broad description of the original work (type of essay, topic, thesis, etc.)
______________________________________________________________________
Your thesis (why you agree and/or disagree with the author)
______________________________________________________________________
Overall structure of your essay (first…, then…, finally…)
Main Idea #1
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Author’s main idea #1 and supporting information (no details)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Argument for/against the author’s main idea #1 and supporting information
Main Idea #2
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Author’s main idea #2 and supporting information (no details)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Argument for/against the author’s main idea #2 and supporting information
ELI100
Tremblay
4
Main Idea #3
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Author’s main idea #3 and supporting information (no details)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Argument for/against the author’s main idea #3 and supporting information
Conclusion
______________________________________________________________________
Reformulation of your thesis
______________________________________________________________________
Recapitulation on what you agree with, what you find problematic, and why (brief)
_____________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence (let the reader think - concluding strategies GL p. 161)