Outlining

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MLA Documentation

• Outlining

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First Format

• I. Introduction
• A. hook (attention-getting device)
• B. introduce topic
• C. thesis statement
• II. First major topic
• A. first subtopic
• 1. first subdivision
• 2. second subdivision
• B. second subtopic
• C. third subtopic
• III. Second major topic
• IV. Conclusion

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Second Format

• Thesis Statement
• A. First major supporting topic
• 1. specific examples, details
• 2. specific examples, details
• 3. specific examples, details
• B. Second major supporting topic
• 1. specific examples, details
• 2. specific examples, details
• 3. specific examples, details
• C. Conclusion

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Thesis Statement

• It is the controlling statement of the paper.
• It is a promise as to what the paper is going to
  be about.
• It should cover the main topics found in the
  outline. If the topic isnt mentioned in the
  outline, it shouldnt be in the thesis.

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Thesis Statement Formula 1

• A/an (evaluation, study, examination, review,
• outline, demonstration, explanation,
• presentation) of (topics in the outline) will
• (show, demonstrate, prove, highlight, explain)
• .. (your controlling purpose).
• Example A review of the tools, materials, and
• procedures needed will show that building a
• cabinet is not as difficult as one might expect.

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Thesis Statement Formula 2

• Compose a sentence that connects each of
• the outline topic headings in an effective
• manner.
• Example Building an attractive and
• functional cabinet involves using the right
• tools, materials, and procedures.

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Tips and Warnings

• For an 8-10 page paper, you typically need 5-7
  topics.
• Topics need to be organized so that the ideas
  flow logically from one to the other.
• If you have a 1, you must have a 2. If you have
  an A, you must have a B. You cant divide
  something into only one part.
• The outline should change as the paper changes
  since the outline shows the structure of the
  paper.
• Every topic should have multiple note cards.
• The outline isnt finished until the paper is.

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Right or Wrong?

• Thesis Women can be police officers, too.
• WRONG!!!
• Why? The entire paper would have to be
• only about women becoming police officers.

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Right or Wrong?

• Thesis An examination of how someone
• becomes a police officer, the duties of those in
  
• law enforcement, and the new role of women in
  many law enforcement agencies will show how this
  field is changing.
• RIGHT!!!
• Why? It contains the outline topic headings and
  contains a controlling purpose.

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Right or Wrong?

• Thesis There are many colors you can paint an
  antique car, but black is most common.
• WRONG!!!
• Why? The entire paper would have to be about
  painting the car black.

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Right or Wrong?

• Thesis Restoring an antique car involves many
  steps, such as preparing the body, replacing worn
  or missing equipment, and painting the vehicle so
  that it appears just as it did when it was first
  sold.
• RIGHT!!!
• Why? It contains the outline topic headings and
  contains a controlling purpose.