Outline Template for Capstone Project: Literature Review & Analysis
Point-by-point Organization Style
This might help you best envision what information and points go where. Please make
sure to “fill in the blanks” with detailed information in full sentences, paying special
attention to connections, transitions, and comparisons.
I.
II.
Introduction:
a. Moves from general to specific concepts
b. Focuses on the research as opposed to just the topic.
c. Introduces how the topic is discussed in each discipline.
d. Thesis statement:
i. Specifically lays out how the topic is discussed in each discipline.
ii. Additionally, may outline the specific “debate” or discussion
within each discipline (i.e. The humanities, particularly the field of
philosophy, approaches the issue of gun control as it regards
ethicality. Specifically, one debate that several current
philosophers engage in is whether gun control limits a fundamental
human right.)
iii. Additionally, may end with a sentence that “synthesizes” your
(understandably long) thesis statement: “These respective
discussions within each discipline contribute [beneficially interact,
etc.] to create a more complete understanding of topic”
Discipline 1: (Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences)
a. Introduction to the debate within the field: follow what you did in project
3, part II. Introduce your scholars, their theories, how they conflict or how
they work together to contribute a more total picture (“debate,” “discuss,”
or “add bricks to the wall of knowledge”).
b. Point A
i. Claim about how each article handles point A (compare? Contrast?
Evaluate?)
ii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article A’s take on point A
iii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article B’s take on point A
iv. Compare, contrast, evaluate, conclude
c. Point B
i. Claim about how each article handles point B (compare? Contrast?
Evaluate?)
ii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article A’s take on point B
iii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article B’s take on point B
iv. Compare, contrast, evaluate, conclude
d. Point C (if applicable; space constraints may ask that you cut point C)
i. Claim about how each article handles point C (compare? Contrast?
Evaluate?)
ii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article A’s take on point C
iii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article B’s take on point C
iv. Compare, contrast, evaluate, conclude
III.
IV.
V.
e. Contrast & evaluate (which makes a stronger claim, if applicable)
f. Conclude
Discipline 2: (Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences)
a. Repeat structure for II.
Discipline 3: (Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences)
a. Repeat structure for II.
Conclusion
a. Naturally rephrase thesis statement from introduction
b. Naturally rephrase conclusions from each discipline
c. Discuss how each discipline adds to the total picture of knowledge of a
topic
d. If applicable, evaluate the nature of the disciplines: which discipline
excels at providing what elements to total knowledge. Which disciplines
are most appropriate or relevant to a topic and which are not? Why?