Objective C: Communicating
ii. Structure information and ideas in a way that is appropriate to the specified format.
When you have collected and recorded sufficient information using research notes you are ready to create an essay outline. This is the part of the action plan where you plan your essay. The purpose of the outline is to help you write the final essay because you will know where to put what information.
Your outline should be completed in point form. This is not the essay so full sentences and paragraphs are not necessary. Your outline is another reason why your research notes are so important. Here you can copy/paste the points from your research notes directly into the outline. How easy is that!
Perhaps the most important part of an outline is the thesis statement and arguments. Together, these form the main idea of your essay. In other words, your essay is about you trying to support your thesis statement with evidence!
Guidance for the thesis statement can be found below;
THE THESIS is a one sentence statement answering your research question. In other words, this is your point of view or position on the issue included in your research question.
- A thoughtful and convincing answer to the research question and the focus of your essay.
- It emerges as a result of research and evaluating information.
- Seek insight into your thesis as you read your sources and record these insights in your research notes.
- Think about and continuously question the thesis as you research. (like testing a hypothesis in science class!)
- Check with the teacher that your thesis is appropriate as sometimes they can be too broad or too specific in scope.
TWO AREAS OF ARGUMENT are two clear, distinct, and strong positions/statements that support the thesis.
- Use one sentence for each argument.
- Determine the hierarchy of your arguments.
- List your weakest argument first.
- Your strongest argument will come last in the essay.
- (weakest argument)
- (strongest argument)
What should I put in my outline?
Your outline should be separated into three sections; introduction, two (2) body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Introduction
In the introduction you must include the following;
| Background information | – This is where you write simple information to give your reader an idea of what your essay is about. – This is also a good place to introduce information that the reader may need to know in order for them to understand the purpose of your essay and your thesis. |
| Thesis | – The thesis is your answer to the research question. – It must be one sentence long and should include two arguments. – An argument is a reason why your thesis is correct. – In other words, it is evidence that proves your thesis, and therefore your answer to the research question, is correct. Remember, you need to justify your argument (thesis) with appropriate evidence. |
Body Paragraphs
In each of the two (2) body paragraphs you must include the following;
| State argument | Begin your paragraph with your argument. This should be one point. This will be your topic sentence in the essay. |
| Supporting details | – You must support your argument with facts and evidence. – Here you should have several points from your research notes that will support your argument and prove that it is correct. – You may copy/paste the points from your research notes. How easy is that! – In addition, you should identify the source of each supporting detail. In other words, which website or book did you get this information from? This will help you make parenthetical citations while writing the essay. – You should aim to have at least five (5) supporting details. However, this is a minimum and you may need much more than this. |
| Restate argument | Restate or repeat your argument at the end of your body paragraph. However, this does not mean copy/paste. Instead, you should rewrite the argument and say it differently. This helps you conclude the paragraph. |
Important! You must have TWO body paragraphs!! One for EACH argument!
Conclusion
In the conclusion you must include the following;
| Restate thesis and summarize arguments | – Restate your thesis and summarize your argument. In other words, you are reminding the reader why your thesis is the correct answer to the research question. – Make sure to do this in different words. You cannot copy/paste from your introduction. – Your conclusion should do three things; Restate the main idea of your essay, or your thesis statement Summarize the arguments of your essay Leave the reader with an interesting final impression |
CISH Modern History 