Outline template for
analytical/argumentative
research paper:
a. Set the scene
b. Narrow the scene
c. Thesis statement = topic + opinion you will prove in
this essay about this topic
II.
Body
paragraph 1.
a. Transitional element showing the reader how you got to this
paragraph plus topic sentence about the first point you want to make about your
thesis
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point
III.
Body
paragraph 2.
a. Transitional element showing the reader how you got to this
paragraph plus topic sentence about the second point you want to make about
your thesis
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point
IV.
Body
paragraph 3.
a. Transitional element showing the reader how you got to this
paragraph plus topic sentence about the third point you want to make about your
thesis
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point
V.
Body
paragraph 4.
a. Transitional element showing the reader how you got to this
paragraph plus topic sentence about the fourth point you want to make about
your thesis
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point
VI.
Body
paragraph 5.
a. Transitional element showing the reader that you are now gong to
cede some territory to the opposition, plus
topic sentence about the first point your opposition
might make about your thesis statement
b. Source material or example showing specifically what
the opposition does or says to refute your own
points
c. Reflection back on what that quote or example
apparently means to the opposition.
VII.
Body
paragraph 6.
a. Transitional element showing the reader that you are now going to
contradict what the opposition says, plus topic
sentence about the point you want to make that proves the opposition is wrong about their stance in the
preceding paragraph
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point and has thoroughly trashed the opposition
on this particular point.
VIII.
Body
paragraph 7.
a. Transitional element showing the reader how you got to this
paragraph plus topic sentence about the second point your opposition might make about your thesis statement
b. Source material or example showing specifically what
the opposition does or says to refute your own
points
c. Reflection back on what that quote or example
apparently means to the opposition.
IX.
Body
paragraph 8.
a. Transitional element showing the reader that you are now going to
contradict what the opposition says, plus topic
sentence about the point you want to make that proves the opposition is wrong about their stance in the
preceding paragraph
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point and has thoroughly trashed the opposition
on this issue
X.
Body
paragraph 9.
a. Transitional element showing the reader how you got to this
paragraph plus topic sentence about the third point your opposition might make about your thesis statement
b. Source material or example showing specifically what
the opposition does or says to refute your own
points
c. Reflection back on what that quote or example
apparently means to the opposition.
XI.
Body
paragraph 10.
a. Transitional element showing the reader that you are now going to
contradict what the opposition says, plus topic
sentence about the point you want to make that proves the opposition is wrong about their stance in the
preceding paragraph
b. Source material or example showing what you mean by
the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
c. Reflection back on how that example or source proved
your point and thoroughly trashed the opposition
on this issue
XII.
Body
paragraph 11.
a. Transitional element showing the reader that you are now going to
wrap up the position of the opposition plus
summary of their position
b. Summary of your own refutations of their position
XIII.
Conclusion.
a. Summary of your assertions that proved your thesis
b. some thoughts on the implications of what you've just
said or shown