Scratch outline

Plan for outlining a research paper

1. The Scratch The Scratch
OutlineOutline
A “road map” to A “road map” to
your final essay.your final essay.

2. The Purpose of an OutlineThe Purpose of an Outline
Creating an outline is designed to help you Creating an outline is designed to help you focus focus
your research and your research and organizeorganize your ideas. your ideas.
Contrary to most students’ perceptions, its purpose Contrary to most students’ perceptions, its purpose
is to make it is to make it easier easier for you to produce your final for you to produce your final
paper.paper.
An outline allows you to “preview” your paper An outline allows you to “preview” your paper
before you write it, ensuring logical organization before you write it, ensuring logical organization
and sufficient and relevant support.and sufficient and relevant support.

3. What an Outline IncludesWhat an Outline Includes
An outline begins with a An outline begins with a complete thesis complete thesis
statement statement (subject + focus + reasons)
..
ThreeThree of the outline’s major sections will begin of the outline’s major sections will begin
with with topic sentences taken topic sentences taken directly directly from from
the thesis statement.the thesis statement.
Your outline will include Your outline will include a fourth major section: a fourth major section:
refutation. refutation.

4. The Structure of the OutlineThe Structure of the Outline
THESIS: Subject, opinion, reasons 1, 2 and 3THESIS: Subject, opinion, reasons 1, 2 and 3
I. First topic sentence (expanded from specific language 1.)I. First topic sentence (expanded from specific language 1.)
A. First point/proof (type of evidence + specific evidence)A. First point/proof (type of evidence + specific evidence)
B. Second point/proofB. Second point/proof
C. Third point/proofC. Third point/proof
II. Second topic sentence (expanded from specific language 2.)II. Second topic sentence (expanded from specific language 2.)
A. First point/proofA. First point/proof
B. Second point/proofB. Second point/proof
C. Third point/proofC. Third point/proof
III. Third topic sentence (expanded from specific language 3.)III. Third topic sentence (expanded from specific language 3.)
A. First point/proofA. First point/proof
B. Second point/proofB. Second point/proof
C. Third point/proofC. Third point/proof
IV. Refutation (if not refuted at II)IV. Refutation (if not refuted at II)
A First point/proofA First point/proof
B Second point/proofB Second point/proof
C. Third point/proofC. Third point/proof
V. Conclusion: RESTATED THESISV. Conclusion: RESTATED THESIS
A. Summary of section I evidenceA. Summary of section I evidence
B. Summary of section II evidenceB. Summary of section II evidence
C. Summary of section III evidenceC. Summary of section III evidence
D. Final clincherD. Final clincher

5. The Contents of Each SectionThe Contents of Each Section
Thesis:Thesis: Stating the thesis takes the place of outlining your Stating the thesis takes the place of outlining your
introduction. Because the parts of an introduction are unchanging introduction. Because the parts of an introduction are unchanging
(grabber, background information, thesis), there is no need to (grabber, background information, thesis), there is no need to
outline the introduction. Just place your thesis at the top.outline the introduction. Just place your thesis at the top.
Roman Numerals I, II, etc.:Roman Numerals I, II, etc.: Each of these numerals
represents a major section of your essay and begins with a
sentence. The topic sentence comes directly from the thesis
statement and includes your opinion AND one reason.
Capital Letters A, B, C: Capital Letters A, B, C: Each of these letters represents
one major piece of evidence you will use to support your ideas.

6. THESIS: THESIS: College athletes deserve pay because they work as hard as the pros, they are College athletes deserve pay because they work as hard as the pros, they are
constantly threatened with injury, and colleges and the NCAA make an constantly threatened with injury, and colleges and the NCAA make an
enormous amount of money from the athletes’ work.enormous amount of money from the athletes’ work.
I. One reason to pay college athletes is that playing on a college team is a full-time job, I. One reason to pay college athletes is that playing on a college team is a full-time job,
just as professional sports.just as professional sports.
A. Collective experience: A. Collective experience: daily practices; sports campsdaily practices; sports camps
B. Collective experience: B. Collective experience: road trips for games and tournamentsroad trips for games and tournaments
C. Personal experience: C. Personal experience: daily regimen of self care– diet, exercise, and daily regimen of self care– diet, exercise, and
lifestyle restrictions.lifestyle restrictions.
II. College players also deserve pay because of the dangers they face on the field, II. College players also deserve pay because of the dangers they face on the field,
including debilitating injuries.including debilitating injuries.
A. Collective experience; facts: A. Collective experience; facts: career-ending breaks and sprainscareer-ending breaks and sprains
B. Facts/expert opinion: B. Facts/expert opinion: concussions/life-long brain injuryconcussions/life-long brain injury
C. Facts/historical record: C. Facts/historical record: paralysis and even deathparalysis and even death
III. The millions of dollars that colleges and the NCAA make from players’ efforts is the III. The millions of dollars that colleges and the NCAA make from players’ efforts is the
final reason to give a salary to every college athlete.final reason to give a salary to every college athlete.
A. Fact/historical record: A. Fact/historical record: exposure from teams raises college’s profile, exposure from teams raises college’s profile,
attracting more students and allowing tuition hikes.attracting more students and allowing tuition hikes.
B. Fact: B. Fact: colleges reap millions from TV rights and sports merchandisecolleges reap millions from TV rights and sports merchandise
C. Facts/statistics; historical record; expert opinion: C. Facts/statistics; historical record; expert opinion: NCAA makes NCAA makes
millions of dollars regulating college sports, and none of it goes to those who millions of dollars regulating college sports, and none of it goes to those who
actually enact the sporting event.actually enact the sporting event.
SAMPLE OUTLINESAMPLE OUTLINE

7. VI. REFUTATION (IF NOT REFUTED EARLIER): Some people believe college VI. REFUTATION (IF NOT REFUTED EARLIER): Some people believe college
athletes don’t deserve pay because they get special treatment, athletes don’t deserve pay because they get special treatment,
scholarships, and a lasting education. Here’s why those arguments fail.scholarships, and a lasting education. Here’s why those arguments fail.
A. CONCEDE: A. CONCEDE: athletes are given special treatment often; they athletes are given special treatment often; they
deserve it because of all they do for the school.deserve it because of all they do for the school.
B. AGREE WITH CONCERNS, NOT SOLUTIONS: B. AGREE WITH CONCERNS, NOT SOLUTIONS: many many
athletes do get scholarships, but they often cover only tuition, not all the athletes do get scholarships, but they often cover only tuition, not all the
other expenses; many athletes do not get scholarships.other expenses; many athletes do not get scholarships.
C. REBUT: C. REBUT: Statistics show that most athletes never graduate, and Statistics show that most athletes never graduate, and
many who do graduate without really having learned anything.many who do graduate without really having learned anything.
V. CONCLUSION: Because they work hard, risk injury, and make millions for V. CONCLUSION: Because they work hard, risk injury, and make millions for
others, college athletes deserve a paycheck.others, college athletes deserve a paycheck.
A. Their lives revolve around sports training and travel.A. Their lives revolve around sports training and travel.
B. Debilitating injury and even death is a constant risk.B. Debilitating injury and even death is a constant risk.
C. Millions of dollars are raised through college sports; it’s only fair to C. Millions of dollars are raised through college sports; it’s only fair to
share some with those who actually do the work.share some with those who actually do the work.

8. OUTLINE: A SUMMARYOUTLINE: A SUMMARY
Outlines help you focus ideas and organize evidence.Outlines help you focus ideas and organize evidence.
Thesis is placed at the top of an outline; it represents the Thesis is placed at the top of an outline; it represents the
introduction.introduction.
Roman numerals refer to topic sentences, taken directly Roman numerals refer to topic sentences, taken directly
from the thesis and counter-thesis. They must be followed from the thesis and counter-thesis. They must be followed
by complete sentences.by complete sentences.
A, B and C refer to specific evidence you will use to prove A, B and C refer to specific evidence you will use to prove
the topic sentence. These do not need to be complete the topic sentence. These do not need to be complete
sentences.sentences.
An extra, fourth body section will refute opponents.An extra, fourth body section will refute opponents.
The conclusion will restate the thesis (DIFFERENT The conclusion will restate the thesis (DIFFERENT
WORDS), summarize each body graph, and clinch.WORDS), summarize each body graph, and clinch.