How to Make an Awesome Outline

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How to Make an Awesome Outline

• Your Guide to Creating a Useful Outline to Guide
  Your Rough Draft

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Step One Gather Your Resources

• Put your hard work to good use!
• Note Cards
• Sources (Critical Analysis Articles Novel)
• Research Surveys
• Text Marking Packet
• Theme Map and Soundtrack Written Justifications

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Step Two Organize Your Information

• Lay out your note cards on a table or on the
  floor.
• Decide Whats the first point you want to make
  to support your thesis? The second?
• Decide What sub-points and evidence will you use
  to support your thesis? Where will these appear
  in your paper?

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Step Two Organize Your Information

• When youre finished, your note card layout
  should look something like this

Main Point 1
Main Point 3
Main Point 2
Sub-Point/ Evidence 1 of Main Point 1
Sub-Point/ Evidence 1 of Main Point 2
Sub-Point/ Evidence 1 of Main Point 3
AND SO ON
AND SO ON
Sub-Point/ Evidence 2 of Main Point 1
Sub-Point/ Evidence 2 of Main Point 2
Sub-Point/ Evidence 2 of Main Point 3
Sub-Point/ Evidence 3 of Main Point 1
Sub-Point/ Evidence 3 of Main Point 2
Sub-Point/ Evidence 3 of Main Point 3
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What if Im Missing the Point?

• If you find yourself missing sub-points, or even
  main points, never fear!
• Look to your previous work (Research Surveys,
  Text Marking Packet, Justifications) for new
  evidence!

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Step Three Start Outlining!

• Once your note cards are in the order in which
  they will appear in your paper, you may begin
  writing your actual outline.
• Use your note cards as a guide, and fill in the
  outline format.
• Hint To make the writing part of your
• outline easier, label and number
• your note cards!

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Outline Format Channel Your Inner Neat-Freak!
The following format must be used when outlining
your Literary Analysis Paper. . .
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I. Schuemelfeders class is really awesome A.
Students participate, even on rainy days 1.
Class discussion a. The Catcher in The
Rye b. Literary Analysis Paper 2. Asking
Questions B. Students have fun 1.
Snowball Fight 2. Holden Imitation
Writing C. Students learn a lot of cool
stuff 1. Themes in Literature 2.
The Writing Process

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Format for Outlining

• I. Main Point 1 (supports Thesis Statement)
• A. Sub-Point One (supports Main Point 1)
• 1. Evidence (supports Sub-Point One)
• 2. Evidence (supports Sub-Point One)
• 3. Evidence (supports Sub-Point One)
• B. Sub-Point Two (supports Main Point 1)
• 1. Evidence (supports Sub-Point Two)
• 2. Evidence (supports Sub-Point Two)
• 3. Evidence (supports Sub-Point Two)
• C. Sub-Point Three (supports Main Point 1)
• 1. Evidence (supports Sub-Point Three)
• 2. Evidence (supports Sub-Point Three)

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Tips for Outlining (Okay, Theyre More Like
Rules...)

• Make sure that you have at least three main
  points (as this is a 4-7 page paper, you will
  probably need more).
• Be certain that each main point supports your
  thesis statement.
• Each sub-point must support your main point, and
  each piece of evidence must support your
  sub-point.

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More Tips (Rules)

• Your weakest point should be sandwiched between
  your strongest points.
• If you have more than one weak point, you need to
  revisit your sources.
• BE CONSISTENT!
• Your outline format should look exactly the same
  throughout. This will improve organization and
  make it easier to write your rough draft.

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Outlining is an essential step in the process of
writing this Literary Analysis paper.
As always, the more work you put in now, the less
work you will have to do later.
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Extra Help

• Make an appointment to conference with me (at
  least a day in advance), during a free period.
• Drop in to the Writing Lab (Room 202) to have an
  English teacher look over your outline.