Organizing the Essay
Outline
There are two types of writers in this world -- those who write an outline in order to write a paper and those who write a paper and then an outline if one is required. You will learn quickly which kind of writer you are, and rest assured, neither type is more successful. For this class, you will submit an outline before writing each paper, but that outline will be at the level of the topic sentence (see information on body paragraphs), so both types of writers will find this "do-able." In order to create this outline, you must use your thesis statement and plan of development (a.k.a. essay map).
Organizing is not the first step in writing. First, you have to know what you want to write, and that is the purpose of the pre-writing and drafting part of the writing process. Writing will be easier if you don't skip the pre-writing and drafting steps.
This is the basic outlining format. For this example essay, the thesis statement reads, "In order for a student to be successful in an on-line course, the student must be disciplined (A), self-motivated (B), and capable of learning through reading (C)." The ensuing draft outline would look something like this: |
I. Method of Introduction: Anecdote about my first online class. Thesis: In order for a student to be successful in an on-line course, the student must be disciplined, self-motivated, and capable of learning through reading. II. Discipline is essential for a student to be successful in an on-line class. A. Example 1 (list these examples by specifics you will use) B. Example 2 C. Example 3 III. A self-motivated student will be successful in an on-line class. A. Example 1 B. Example 2 C. Example 3 IV. It is essential in an on-line class for students to be able to learn through reading. A. Example 1 B. Example 2 C. Example 3 V. Conclusion: parallel thesis statement & concluding thought. |
This is the most basic outline format. Keep in mind that as your papers get longer and the topics more complicated, this format will expand.