Today’s Slide Design:
Circuit
Today’s Agenda
Step #7: Finding and Compiling
Evidence
 Step #8: Outlining

What is evidence?
PROOF

Proof in science?


Proof in history?


Data
Historical details
Proof in literary analyses?

Examples and quotes from the text
What crucial component is necessary in
proving your argument?
Analysis of evidence
How do you find evidence?
Return to the primary source and consider:
 Are there specific scenes or events that stick out as
important and relate to your essay topic?
 Should you find a balance of evidence from story’s
beginning, middle, and end?
 Does the evidence you find relate directly to your
essay prompt or question?
 Does your evidence give you something to
analyze? Is there enough to say about this example
to warrant devoting a paragraph or sections of a
paragraph to it?
When choosing evidence, be careful…

That the evidence chosen is not too long to quote
 That you can provide adequate background and
context
 That the evidence develops and supports your
argument and does not simply further plot
 That the quote is not self-evident, but instead
requires explanation
Homework for Friday, Nov. 10

Compile at least three specific pieces of
evidence


For each example, include two to three
sentences explaining how this evidence relates
to your essay topic.
Draft a tentative thesis.

Use the “thesis checklist” to review your thesis’
effectiveness.
Outlining


Why do we outline?
When do we outline?
Outlining
Types of Outlines to discuss:
 Formal Outline
 Informal: Listing Outline
 Informal: Thesis & Major Ideas Outline
 Informal: Chart Outline
Outlining: Formal Outline
Formal Outline: Guidelines
 Put the thesis at the top.
 Use sentences unless phrases are clear.
 Use conventional system of numbering (I, II, III, a, b, c, etc.).
 Use at least two subdivisions (a, b, c, etc.), since nothing can
be divided into fewer than two parts
 Group details with other details of equal importance and
significance.
 Limit the number of major sections in the outline (avoid an
outline that looks like a laundry list).
 Be flexible; your outline will change as your drafts evolve.
Outlining: Informal Outline #1
Listing Outline: Guidelines
 Review your listing prewriting.
 Mark through ideas you do not intend to use.
 Add additional ideas.
 Number to create logical order or rank importance.
Outlining: Informal Outline #2
Thesis and Major Ideas Outline: Guidelines
 Begin with thesis.
 List major ideas.
 Number to create logical order or rank importance.
Outlining: Informal Outline #3
Chart Outline: Guidelines
 Begin with thesis and top of page
 Divide your paper into blocks according to essay prompt.
 Label columns according to tasks.
 Fill in necessary information.
Outlining: Informal Outline #3
Chart Outline: Example
Original Essay Prompt:
In James Joyce’s Araby, the author uses the unnamed
narrator as the vehicle for the story’s message. Discuss the
narrator’s overall development throughout the course of story,
including the way in which this contributes to the story’s overall
purpose. Cite at least three specific pieces of evidence to
illustrate your discussion.
Outlining: Informal Outline #3
Chart Outline: Example
Revised Essay Prompt:
In James Joyce’s Araby, the author uses the unnamed
narrator as the vehicle for the story’s message. Identify the
three major stages in the narrator’s development and link this
progression back to Joyce’s overall purpose. Cite at least
three specific pieces of evidence to illustrate your discussion.
Outlining: Informal Outline #3
Chart Outline: Example
Revised Essay Prompt:
In James Joyce’s Araby, the author uses the unnamed narrator as the
vehicle for the story’s message. Identify the three major stages in the
narrator’s development and link this progression back to Joyce’s
overall purpose. Cite at least three specific pieces of evidence to
illustrate your discussion.
Thesis Statement: --------------------------------------
Title
Author
Task #1
Task #2
Task #3
Evidence
(Quotes)
Homework for Monday, Nov. 13
Compile at least three specific pieces of evidence
•For each example, include two to three sentences explaining
how this evidence relates to your essay topic.
Complete one of the following:
•Formal Outline
•Listing Outline and Thesis and Major Ideas Outline
•Chart Outline