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Visual Organization: Outlines

Visual Organization: Outlines. Dr. Ryan Allen Assistant Professor of English & Writing Director, Writing Center Briar Cliff University ryan.allen@briarcliff.edu 712-279-5211. Why Organization Matters.

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Visual Organization: Outlines

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  1. Visual Organization: Outlines Dr. Ryan Allen Assistant Professor of English & Writing Director, Writing Center Briar Cliff University ryan.allen@briarcliff.edu 712-279-5211

  2. Why Organization Matters • Helps you demonstrate correlation between thesis statement and main points in body of essay • Helps you reveal the flow of major topics & elaborated details connected to thesis • Helps you organize your essay’s main ideas • Helps you see where research will fit in overall landscape of essay’s development

  3. Key Learning Resources • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/ and http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/02/

  4. General Essay Organization • Introduction • Context • Thesis + Preview • Body • Direct Connection to Previewed Points • In-text Citations • Conclusion • Restate Thesis • Summarize Main Points • Lasting, Dominant Impression • Reference List • 1-1 Correspondence with In-text Citations

  5. Where to Begin • Look over the data you collected and decide how to group the ideas you found • What are your main points or observations, and how do these ideas support a thesis statement? • Once you know that, you can cluster or group your research findings under several main topics that support your thesis • Break it down into smaller parts • Introduction • Body • Conclusion

  6. Introduction • The introduction should give the purpose, scope and background for your research. • Name your topic, explaining and defining any important aspects or terms needed to understand the focus of this paper. • Introduce what is significant or problematic about this topic. • State your thesis and describe the pattern of information which will follow.

  7. QUESTIONS?

  8. Body Parts • Organization • In informational reports, the most important evidence or data may be mentioned first, followed by secondary data, including data which presents an alternative or counterpoint to the thesis statement. After presenting the data, the writer analyzes the findings by identifying strengths and weaknesses before drawing conclusions. • In other types of informational papers, the evidence gradually builds up to the most important findings, negating minor issues as the evidence builds. • In informational papers that persuade in addition to inform, the most important data is presented last, with the second most important first, and the least important in the middle. Analysis also follows the data in a persuasive paper. • Which pattern you choose will depend on the effect you want to achieve.

  9. Body Parts (continued) • All points in body section must correspond with one of the previewed main points in thesis—must support the thesis!! • The reason why you must include in-text citations is that your outline is based on what you will include in your research essay. Thus, if you’re essay is based on research, it follows that your outline must as well.

  10. QUESTIONS?

  11. Conclusion • To end your paper, restate your thesis and summarize the data which supports the thesis. • Do not introduce any new information in the conclusion. • Can potentially end with some type of dominant, lasting impression, but make sure it works!

  12. QUESTIONS?

  13. Full Sentence Outline Model (APA) I. Man-made pollution is the primary cause of global warming. A. Greenhouse gas emissions are widely identified by the scientific community to be harmful (Allen, 2010). 1. The burning of coal and fossil fuels are the primary releasers of hazardous greenhouse gases (Allen, 2010).

  14. Full Sentence Outline Model (MLA) I. Man-made pollution is the primary cause of global warming. A. Greenhouse gas emissions are widely identified by the scientific community to be harmful (Allen 33). 1. The burning of coal and fossil fuels are the primary releasers of hazardous greenhouse gases (33).

  15. Sample Outline (APA) THESIS: Research shows that Dublin is one of the most frequented vacation sites because of its rich cultural history, its pub culture, and its natural beauty. I. Introduction to the paper a. Where is Dublin? b. Why is it such a sought-after vacation spot? c. What is it best known for? d. Thesis II. Dublin has a rich cultural history, which draws millions of visitors each year. a. Dublin was originally founded by Vikings in the 8th century. (Mackay, 2000) b. Celtics are Ireland’s indigenous people and is still a spoken language. (O’Connor, 2007; Daly, 1999) c. Dublin has many famous historical icons. i. Saint Patrick is an important cultural and church icon. (Patton, 1999) ii. Molly Malone’s statue graces the heart of Dublin. (Fitzgerald, 2001) iii. Many famous writers came from Dublin. (McKinney, 2000) d. Today, Dublin is known for its strong futbol team, Leicester Celtic FC, and its great beer: Guinness. (McKinney, 2000; O’Toole, n.d.) III. In addition to a rich cultural history, Dublin is also a frequented vacation spot for its well-known pub culture. IV. Finally, Dublin is a sought-after vacation spot because of its natural beauty.

  16. Tips for Writing an Outline • Start with the basic scaffolding first • Second, start filling in the detail in each section • Have research sources handy, so you can start plugging in in-text citations as you go • As you use a source in an in-text citation, put it in the reference list so you don’t forget

  17. More VISUAL ORGANIZERS • If you choose to create a visual organizer other than an outline, you might create a clustering map or a mind map: • You will need to draw a central point for your central claim or thesis. • You will cluster introduction ideas around that central claim. This might include historical data, statistical data, background information, or leading edge interests that a reader would be intrigued to read. • Next, you will create several clusters for the body of your paper which presents the data and contributing ideas. • Your clustering for the body sections of the paper should include all the information you have gathered. (Even though this visual organizer may be intuitive to you as the writer, make it clear to those who look at it as readers.) • Finally, you will need to cluster the final conclusions of your paper with a restated thesis to summarize your research paper.

  18. More on Visual Organizers • Remember that a mind map, clustering tool, or other visual organizer is not less organized than an outline, but is a more graphic rendition of your paper. • Note: Microsoft Word 2007 has a SmartArt tool that might be used to help create your visual organizer. • When you are ready to send a visual organizer, you will have to take a screen shot of it or a photo of it and insert it into a word-processing document. You will then attach it to this week's required task as an *.rtf document and send it as an attachment. • http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/ for some additional guidance

  19. QUESTIONS?

  20. CONCERNS? COMPLAINTS? CRITICISMS? Please contact the Writing Center. writing.center@briarcliff.edu 712-279-5520 Heelan Hall 050

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