Outlining: Step 4

Table of Contents

Step 4: Create logical argument flow and progression of the content for your outline.  To create your outline, you will follow the structure below.

Outline (General Concepts)

Outlines will vary depending on the exact goal of the piece, but every outline should contain the following elements:

Post your thesis—here—at the top so that it can easily be located before starting. Post Thesis: _____ Introduction Stages: _____ _____ _____ Body Paragraph 1: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ Body Paragraph 2: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____  Body Paragraph 3: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____  Counter-argument paragraph--when required: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____  Conclusion paragraph: _____ _____ _____

Remember that this is a rough guide for essays in our class.  Every essay comes with different challenges, and so this is the general outline for moving your argument along. 

Variances can occur in the body paragraphs, though.  Sometimes you will need to create more hamburger method/source sandwiches to defend multiple angles of your argument in that paragraph.  Nonetheless, remember, if you are writing an argument, you will need at least one counter-argument body paragraph, and maybe a second one if it is a very long paper (10+ pages).  However, the introduction and the conclusion should follow the three-sentence plans for proper structural flow.

Use these links for extra help.

Structured Parts of an OUTLINE Outline Guidance Introduction Structure / Outline Body-Paragraph Structure / Outline Conclusion Structure / Outline