How to Outline

TO DO: PRO OutlineYOU NEED: Blue Outlining Notes SheetHOMEWORK: Start PRO Outline—First draft due next week on Day 2 (Feb 3rd or 4th)

Use Brainpop here!

Tim and Moby learn about outlining!

Writing the PRO Outline

Resolved:  The United States SHOULD prioritize reducing carbon emissions over economic growth.

What is an outline?

A skeleton draft of your paper. Presents the main arguments (or main

ideas) you are going to make in each paragraph or section of the essay.

Includes the facts or details you researched that you will use to support your main arguments (Citations are MANDATORY!)

Purpose of an Outline

To help you ORGANIZE your thoughts and THINK through your writing BEFORE you write!

Traits of a Good Outline

It’s logical. It uses sentences, not phrases. It contains accurate citations. The best points are either first or

last.

GOOD BONES!

The key to writing a good essay

is making sure that you have

excellent MAIN IDEAS

for each body paragraph.

Building Blocks of your Essay: Strong Main Ideas

Main Idea = Debate Argument

The main idea of your body paragraph: an argument that can be supported by evidence.

It is not evidence itself (fact/quote).

It is not a topic. It is not a quotation!!

Which is the strong main idea?

  1. The ocean is often referred to as a

carbon sink. 2. Some of our electricity comes from the

burning of coal. 3. Reducing carbon emissions will help

prevent additional global warming due to the greenhouse effect.

4. CO2= a greenhouse gas.

Which is the strong main idea?

1. President Obama has increased conversations with China.

2. Given the heavy pollution produced by developing countries, a reduction in US carbon emissions will not produce a noticeable global impact, but will instead create noticeable economic hardship here at home.

3. How do we define global warming? 4. Anthropogenic = man-made.  

Which is the strong main idea?

1. Carbon Emissions. 2. President Bush was in a tough political

situation when he had to decide whether or not to support the Kyoto Protocol.

3. Man-made emissions increased dramatically in the 20th century.

4. A reduction in carbon emissions is needed to prevent a major increase in extreme weather events.

 

Why Cite Your Sources? Gives credibility and authority to

your arguments (think: expert testimony).

Helps other researchers verify your work.

Helps you to avoid plagiarism and make sure that you are giving credit where it is due.

Outline Citations Parenthetical citation: citation in parenthesis It is required for facts listed on the outline. We use MLA format.

What goes in the parenthesis?1st choice: Author’s last name2nd choice: If no author is listed, default to

short version of title.

Authored Article: (Gillis) or (Eilperin & Mufson)

Un-Authored Article: First 3 words of title only: (“United States: Climate”)

Interview or Speaker: (Brower)

Book: (Bergen 17)

What goes in the parenthesis?

Brainstorming CON Arguments

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Outline #1

You are going to write your PRO Outline first. You will write reasons supporting the resolution below: The United States SHOULD prioritize reducing carbon emissions over economic growth.

Process

1. Find all of your PRO/both packets. 2. Identify the best 3 main ideas to

use to support the resolution.3. PRO outline must use facts from at

least 3 note packets, including at least one from the speaker.

4. Access the template on Blackboard.

Brainstorming CON Arguments

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail:

Supporting Detail: