The Research Paper
A Step-By-Step Guide
Step Three
The Formal
Sentence Outline
Preparing to Write the Outline
• Now that you are conducting the actual
research and taking notes, you must create a
formal outline that will be used to guide the
writing of the first draft of the research paper.
• The ideas in the formal sentence outline are
more fully stated than those topics you
identified in the working outline.
• Each heading is expressed in a complete
sentence, usually consisting of one main
clause.
Format for The Sentence Outline
• Follow the MLA guidelines for the outline
– 1 inch margins all around
– Double space the entire document
– Use a conventional numbering system
• Center the title of your paper on the first line
• At the left margin, type the word “Thesis”
followed by a colon and your complete thesis
statement
– (Surely by now you have formulated an answer
to your research question…use that answer to
craft your thesis statement)…
The Thesis Statement
1.) The thesis statement should be expressed in one or two complete sentences.
NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: The protagonist in The Great Gatsby.
THESIS STATEMENT: The protagonist in The Great Gatsby is a flawed character.
2.) A thesis statement states the essay’s subject - the topic that you are discussing, but it
also includes a focus - your assertion that conveys your point of view.
NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: I am going to discuss Fitzgerald’s style.
THESIS STATEMENT: Fitzgerald uses flashback to add authenticity to Nick’s narration.
3.) A thesis statement should express an opinion, an attitude or idea about the topic. It
should NOT be just a fact. It reflects the essay’s purpose - either to give your readers
information or to persuade your readers to agree with you. The thesis statement,
therefore, is a statement that needs to be developed, supported or proved to the
reader.
NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: Jay Gatsby is a wealthy man.
Now Practice: How can you turn the previous statement into a thesis statement?
THESIS STATEMENT:
4.) The thesis statement should express only one idea about one topic. If a
thesis statement contains two or more ideas, the essay runs the risk of
lacking unity and coherence.
NOT A THESIS STATEMENT: The Great Gatsby is a novel about
disillusionment, and I have found that most people during this time period
were extravagant.
Now practice by turning the previous statement into two thesis statements.
THESIS STATEMENT:
THESIS STATEMENT:
5.) The thesis should not contain words that are too general. Examples of
general words include nice, good, interesting, boring, bad, dull, colorful,
exciting, terrific, pleasant, bad, fantastic..
6.) The thesis statement should be stated as clearly and as concisely as
possible.
Format for The Sentence Outline
• Evaluate the topics developed for the
Working Outline
– eliminate any that do not address the thesis
– add any that you may have uncovered through
the research process
• Build a sentence for each topic
– each sentence is in the form of a statement, not a
question
– use the same verb tense throughout the outline
• when writing about literature use the present tense
Your Information
Last Name page #
Title of Paper
Thesis statement: One or two complete sentences go here.
I. Major point 1 supporting thesis
A. Second level point supporting major point 1
B. Another second level point supporting major point 1
1. Third level point supporting second level point
2. Another third level point supporting second level point
a. Fourth level point supporting third level point
b. Another fourth level point supporting third level point
C. Another second level point supporting major point 1
II. Major point 2 supporting thesis
[repeat pattern above with as many levels and points as needed]
Review the sample sentence outline for How the Narrator Cultivates a rose for Emily
Checklist
Does your thesis statement sufficiently
answer the research question?
Do the topic headings reflect the content of
your notes and comments?
Is the information in the outline arranged
logically?
Have you fully exhausted your topic?
Is there any ambiguity or any unresolved issues
brought up by the thesis, but not addressed in
the outline?
Bibliography
1. Reid, Joy M. The Process of Composition, 2nd
Edition. (1982). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall, Inc. A Division of Simon &
Schuster. pp. 48-49.
2. Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers, pp.
35-36.