English 521 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 1 You create an outline (usually in your head) when you are planning an essay. For major essays, you should construct one on paper. It includes: Your main idea (thesis); Your subordinate points (the main idea of each section); Your supporting details (the content of each section) In your head, it might look something like this: 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 2 1
5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 3 Introduction Begin with an interesting anecdote, a quote, or statistic to get your reader s interest. The last sentence of your introduction should be the thesis of your paper: For very different and interesting reasons, three cartoon fathers have changed the face of television in this era. Conclusion Begin your conclusion with a re-stated thesis (not the same as in the original, but similar). 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: After all, as Homer might say: Marge, my dear, I learned absolutely nothing. 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 4 2
Works for the CIA. Captures Roger the alien. Shows respect for America. Displays low levels of intelligence. 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 5 Peter Griffin Works on a fishing boat. Drinks Pawtucket Pete beer. Travels with his dog Brian. Fights a giant chicken frequently. 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 6 3
Homer Simpson Works at the nuclear power plant. Hates his neighbor Flanders. Loves his wife Marge dearly. Chokes his son Bart often 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 7 Works Captures Shows Displays Works Drinks Travels Fights Works Hates Loves Chokes 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 8 4
Stan Peter Homer WORKS FOR THE CIA. Interrogated terrorists. Made strong coffee. Blew up several weapons of mass destruction. TRAVELS WITH HIS DOG BRIAN Toured the Pawtucket Beer factory. Became police officers in a hillbilly community. Went into rehab together. HATES HIS NEIGHBOR FLANDERS. Flanders represents all the qualities Homer doesn t possess. Sobriety Lawfulness Honesty Loyalty 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 9 English 521 Essay Outline 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 10 5
Notice how each subordinate point is indicated with an UPPERCASE ROMAN NUMERAL? Essay Title Three Terrific TV Dads Coffin i I. Introduction II. III. Peter Griffin IV. Homer Simpson V. Conclusion Step Two 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 12 6
Television Cartoon Dads Coffin 1 I. Introduction Throughout television history, many characters have come and gone, but few have the impact of, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson. II. III. Peter Griffin IV. Homer Simpson V. Conclusion TV dads like, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure icons in cartoon history. Step Three 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 14 7
Coffin i I. Introduction Television Cartoon Dads Throughout television history, many characters have come and gone, but few have the impact of, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson. II. Indent A. Works for the CIA B. Captures Roger the alien. C. Shows respect for America D. Displays low levels of intelligence III. Peter Griffin IV. Homer Simpson V. Conclusion TV dads like, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson have stood the test of time and remain relevant and pure icons in cartoon history. Television Cartoon Dads Coffin i I. Introduction Throughout television history, many characters have come and gone, but few have the impact of, Peter Griffin, and Homer Simpson. II. Indent A. Works for the CIA 1. Interrogated terrorists. Indent 2. Made strong coffee. 3. Blew up several weapons of mass destruction. B. Captures Roger the alien C. Shows respect for America D. Displays low levels of intelligence III. Peter Griffin IV. Homer Simpson 8
II. A. Works for the CIA 1. Interrogated prisoners 2. Made strong coffee 3. Blew up weapons of mass destruction a. Toxic nerve gas Indent b. Nuclear bomb c. Roger s wine cellar B. Captures Roger the Alien C. Shows respect for America D. Displays low levels of intelligence. In larger papers, you may have to further expand on your expanded supporting details. 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 17 III. Peter Griffin A. Works on a fishing boat B. Drinks Pawtucket Peter beer C. Travels with his dog Brian 1. Toured the Pawtucket Beer factory. 2. Became police officers in a hillbilly community. 3. Went into rehab together. D. Fights a giant chicken frequently 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 18 9
IV. Homer Simpson A. Works at the nuclear power plant B. Hates his neighbor Flanders 1. Flanders represents all the qualities Homer doesn t possess. a. Sobriety b. Lawfulness c. Honesty d. Loyalty C. Loves his wife Marge dearly D. Chokes his son Bart often 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 19 Using the essay outline template on the next page, create a mock outline for three people whom you consider to be modern-day heroes. Each bullet must have an entry (no longer than six words). Ensure you follow parallel structure! 5/19/2014 Essay Outlines 20 10
Hero 1 * Hero 2 * Hero 3 * Hero 1: Third Heroic Trait Hero 2: First Heroic Trait Hero 3: Second Heroic Trait 11