writing the research paper a handbook (7th ed) - ch 4 the thesis and outline

44The Thesis

and the Outline

The Thesis: Definition and Function

• Thesis: a statement that summarizes the central idea of the paper• Usually the last sentence of the opening paragraph• Read Text pg. 37 (Bilingual Child)


• Thesis: serves 3 functions:1. Establishes boundary around your subject that

discourages wandering aimlessly

2. Charts an orderly course for the paper, making it easier to write Read Text pg. 37 (Titanic)

3. Gives the reader an idea of what to expect, making it easier to read


• Formulating the thesis• Need to know a great deal about your subject before

formulating your thesis• Looking for a central idea which summarizes the

information you gathered, with your own opinions on the subject

• Idea must be expressed in one sentence• Read Text pg. 38 (Rasputin)


• Rules for wording the thesis

• The Thesis should:1. Be clear, comprehensible and direct

2. Predict major divisions in the structure

3. Commit you to an unmistakable course, argument, or point of view

Read Poor/Better examples in Text, pg. 39-40


• The Thesis should not:1. Be worded in figurative language (indefinite/

hazy)

2. Be worded vaguely (without direction)

3. Be worded as a question

Read Poor/Better examples in Text, pg. 40


• The Thesis should be a single concise, easily understood sentence:

• Should function as an accurate sketch of paper• A weak thesis leads to a weak paper; a strong

thesis to a strong paper

Read Poor/Better examples in Text, pg. 41


• Placing the Thesis:• It is preferential for the thesis to be the final

sentence in the initial paragraph

Read Text 3 examples, pg. 42


• Choosing a Title:• Title should be clear, specific, and informative• If possible, include key words from the paper

subject

Read Clear/Not Clear examples in Text, pg. 42-43

The Outline

• Outline: an ordered list of the topics covered in a paper• Useful to the writer and the reader• Writer is less likely to stray from the point or

commit a structural error• Reader benefits from the outline in the form of a

detailed table of contents

The Outline

• Visual Conventions of the Outline: • Formal outline conventions require the main idea be

designated by Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV)• Sub-ideas indicated by capital letters (A,B,C,D)

• Subdivisions of sub-ideas designated by Arabic numbers (1,2,3,4)

• Minor ideas designated by lowercase letters (a,b,c,d)

See text example, pg. 43-44

The Outline: Example of proper outline form

The Outline

• Visual Conventions of the Outline: • Support contentions and propositions with

examples and details

The Outline

• Equal ranking in outline entries: • All capital letter entries must be equivalent in

importance

Read example 4b-2 text, pg. 44• Which entry is out of place?

The Outline

• Parallelism in outline entries: • Clarity and readability are improved if entries are

worded in similar grammatical form

Read example/revision 4b-3 text, pg. 44-45• Which entry is out of place?

The Outline

• Types of outlines:

• There are three main types of outline:• Topic Outline

• Sentence Outline• Paragraph Outline

The Outline

• The Topic Outline: each entry as a phrase, breaking down the subject into major subheadings – useful for relatively simple subjects.

Read example text, pg. 45 (Rasputin)

The Outline

• The Sentence Outline: uses a complete sentence for each entry• Well suited for complex subjects


The Outline

• The Paragraph Outline: each entry as a paragraph• A condensed version of the paper • Mainly used for long papers• Not recommended for ordinary college papers


The Outline

• Other outline forms use different methods

• Decimal Outline Notation:• Gaining favor in business and science

• Permits an unlimited number of subdivisions with another decimal


Choosing an Outline Form

• What kind of outline should you use? • Beginner writer: use a detailed sentence outline (if

you have a lot of detail), develop to at least third level

• To write rough draft, fill in blanks, insert transitions, connections

Read example outline/paragraph text, pg. 48 (Poirot)


• Close correspondence between the outline and the developed paragraph1. Main entry of outline is exactly the same as the

topic sentence

2. Sub-idea A is fleshed out and used in the paragraph to introduce the ideas that follow

3. Details in the outline are used nearly word-for-word in the paragraph

• Paper becomes easy to write Read pg. 49


• Not all instructors require an outline (this class does)

• Some writers do not use outlines, some do (it is not required)

• Generally, do what suits you• Writing is unpredictable

• Not always neat, predictable, and certain

• Paper could turn out very different than the outline• Can be a good thing, just rewrite the outline• This can be a good thing – lots of false starts, dead ends, etc.

writing the research paper a handbook (7th ed) - ch 4 the thesis and outline

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