In your head, it might look something like this:

Transcription

1 You create an outline (usually in your head) when you are planning your essay. For major essays, you must construct formal outlines, which include: Your main idea (thesis); Your subordinate points (the main idea of each paragraph); Your supporting details (the content of each paragraph) In your head, it might look something like this: 1

2 Introduction Begin with an interesting anecdote, a quote, or statistic to get your reader s interest. Your introduction should also reveal the thesis of your paper (usually near the end of the introduction): Throughout comic book history, many superheroes have come and gone, but few have the impact of Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and the amazing Spider-Man. Conclusion Your conclusion should briefly summarize the most important attributes of your body paragraphs and end the essay the way you began: with an anecdote, quote, or interesting statistic. Heroes such as Superman, Batman, Iron Man and Spider-Man have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure icons. 2

3 Is faster than a speeding bullet Leaps tall buildings in a single bound. Is stronger than a locomotive. Owns the night in Gotham City. Stands up for the downtrodden in society. Relies on his wits and a very cool bat-suit. Made his awesome suit out of empty tin cans. Flew from New York City to Los Angeles in four minutes. Created many versions of his suit. Does whatever a spider can. Spins a web any size. Catches thieves just like flies. Arrives just in time. 3

4 Is stronger than a locomotive. Owns the night in Gotham City. 5/19/2014 Is faster Leaps tall Is stronger Owns the Stands up Relies only Made his Flew from Created many Does what Spins a web Catches thieves Arrives just Notice the first word in each supporting detail is the same verb tense? This is parallelism. Turned the earth s rotation backwards. Stopped an airliner from crashing. Beat up a locomotive. Crime is at an all-time low. Villains are all in custody. Night is scared of bats. 4

5 Made his suit from empty tin cans. Catches thieves just like flies. 5/19/2014 Tuna Stewed Tomatoes Campbell s Soup Miller Light Outwitted Doctor Octopus Outlasted the Green Goblin Out-punched the Sandman Out-romanced Harry Osborn 5

6 Notice how each subordinate point is indicated with an UPPERCASE ROMAN NUMERAL? I. Introduction II. Superman III. Batman IV. Iron Man V. Spider-Man VI. Conclusion Essay Title The All-Time Best Superheroes Coffin 1 Step Two: Thesis and Re-Stated Thesis 6

7 The All-Time Best Superheroes Coffin 1 I. Introduction Throughout comic book history, many superheroes have come and gone, but few have the impact of Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and the amazing Spider-Man. II. Superman III. IV. Batman Iron Man V. Spider-Man VI. Conclusion Heroes such as Superman, Batman, Iron Man and Spider-Man have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure icons. Step Three: Filling in Supporting Details 7

8 The All-Time Best Superheroes I. Introduction Throughout comic book history, many superheroes have come and gone, but few have the impact of Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and the amazing Spider-Man. Coffin 1 II. Indent Superman A. Is faster than a speeding bullet B. Can leap tall buildings in a single bound C. Is stronger than a locomotive III. Batman IV. Iron Man V. Spider-Man VI. Conclusion Heroes such as Superman, Batman, Iron Man and Spider-Man have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure icons. The All-Time Best Superheroes I. Introduction Throughout comic book history, many superheroes have come and gone, but few have the impact of Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and the amazing Spider-Man. II. Indent Indent Superman A. Is faster than a speeding bullet. B. Can leap tall buildings in a single bound. C. Is stronger than a locomotive. 1. Turned the earth s rotation backwards 2. Stopped an airliner from crashing 3. Beat up a locomotive Coffin 1 III. IV. Batman Iron Man 8

9 II. Superman A. Is faster than a speeding bullet B. Can leap tall buildings in a single bound C. Is stronger than a locomotive 1. Turned the earth s rotation backwards 2. Stopped an airliner from crashing Indent a. The wings fell off the plane b. Lois Lane was inside c. The pilots passed out from lack of oxygen 3. Beat up a locomotive In larger papers, you may have to further expand on your expanded supporting details. III. Batman III. Batman A. Owns the night in Gotham City 1. Crime is at an all-time low 2. Villains are all in custody 3. Night is afraid of bats B. Stands up for the downtrodden of society C. Relies only on his wits and a very cool bat-suit 9

10 IV. Iron Man A. Made his awesome suit out of empty tin cans 1. Tuna 2. Stewed Tomatoes 3. Campbell s Soup 4. Miller Light B. Flew from New York City to Los Angeles in four minutes C. Created many versions of his suit V. Spider-Man A. Does whatever a spider can B. Spins a web any size C. Catches thieves just like flies 1. Outwitted Doctor Octopus 2. Outlasted the Green Goblin 3. Out-punched the Sandman 4. Out-romanced Harry Osborn D. Arrives just in time 10