The format for creating an outline is as follows:
I.
A.
1.
a.
1)
a)
b)
2)
b.
2.
B.
Your preliminary outline will follow this format:
*notice it is single spaced
*notice there are no sentences
*notice this is not complete because you are not finished researching
*notice that for every A, 1, a, there is also a B, 2, b
I. Writing a research paper
A. finding a topic
1. research
2. narrowing the topic
B. writing the thesis statement
1. what do I want to prove
2. what is the opposing view
C. writing the introduction
1. attention grabber
a. anecdote
b. interesting fact
c. analogy
2. background information
a. when did my event take place
b. do I need to define things
3. thesis sentence
D. making note cards
1. writing down the source
a. what is the MLA format
1) what information do I need
2) what order does it go in
b. how do I find the author on a web cite
c. who is the character saying these lines in the movie?
2. do I have quotation marks
3. do I have a citation
4. where is my punctuation
Your Final outline will need to be more complete:
*notice there is a complete introduction and conclusion
*notice how the opposing side is woven into the outline not bunched in
one section of the outline
*notice that for every A, 1, a, there is also a B, 2, b
I. Introduction
A. I have to write how many pages?
B. This is a common question asked by juniors when the time approaches to write the research paper. Even though nine pages is not that much, many students complain that the work is just too much. Knowing that research in college is almost triple what is assigned in high school, they should grin and bear it so that in their future researching years, they will know what they are doing. It is difficult to create a research paper that is less than nine pages. Being able to look up different types of sources is essential to research in college. Knowing how to teach yourself to learn about things that are out there in the world is the best thing I can teach you.
C. Writing a research paper is an essential part of the high school curriculum because it encompasses so many aspects of life: punctuality, preciseness, accountability, personal interest, and colleges preparatory.
II. Body
A. punctuality
1. turning things in on time
a. creating deadlines for myself
1) setting the alarm early
2) sticking to the deadline so if things go wrong, I can fix it
b. procrastination—the bad side
1) I will get fired
2) People won’t trust me anymore
3) People won’t depend on me anymore
c. being on time when someone else is waiting for you
1) work related timeliness
2) recognizing that other have things to do too
3) paying bills etc…
2. understanding what is due
a. what will I be graded on?
b. What happens if it is late?
B. preciseness
1. being specific about what I am trying to say
2. is what I am trying to say, what I am saying?
a. is there another way to say it?
b. Is there a better way to say it?
c. Is this a cliché?
d. Could what I am saying be misunderstood?
3. Do I have quotes that back up my thesis?
4. do I have the opposing view
5. am I appropriately dressed for work? Do I follow the dress code precisely
C. accountability
1. being held responsible for what you produce
2. this reinforces the inability to procrastinate
a. if you procrastinate it isn’t the library’s fault it is your own
b. if you procrastinate it isn’t the train’s fault it is your own
c. if you procrastinate it isn’t the fault of the stop lights, it is yours
d. you need to be held accountable for your work—just as you will hold others accountable for theirs
3. this also helps create pride in your work
a. when you have created something you are proud of it
b. when you do it right and are used as the example, you are proud of it
D. Personal interest
1. topic is something that you like
2. through out your life you will be able to make personal choices, will you make the right one?
E. College prep
1. English classes
2. speech classes
3. any class in which writing is necessary
III. Conclusion
A. Even though 9 pages is a long research paper, you will be well prepared for college as well as life.
B. Being able to create all that goes into writing a research paper takes a lot of energy. One needs to be able to set goals and be punctual about meeting those goals. Preciseness makes each of us the person others see us as especially when we are trying to express ourselves. When we are held accountable for our actions, we become more aware of how what we do affects others. In college, as well as later in life, we will be given chances to make choices. These choices also affect us in certain ways.
C. There are several reasons to have a research paper as part of the curriculum at the high school level.