Basic Outlines
A basic outline looks like this:
Title: Subtitle Introduction/Thesis: The last sentence of the introduction should be your thesis statement.
Conclusion: Restate your thesis and suggest a solution to the problem. |
Now let's consider some variations:
Three Reasons
Let's imagine, for example, that you have chosen the following thesis:
- Computer games are bad for children.
Your middle paragraphs could consist of three reasons why computer games are harmful.
Computer Games: Not As Harmless As You Think Introduction/Thesis: Computer games are bad for children.
Conclusion: Young children should not be allowed to play computer games. |
Three Experts
In this variation, each of your body paragraphs cites an expert who thinks that computer games are harmful.
Computer Games: Not As Harmless As You Think Introduction/Thesis: Computer games are bad for children.
Conclusion: Young children should not be allowed to play computer games. |
Three Problems
Sometimes, finding three reasons (or three experts) is harder than you expect. In such cases, you might want to switch to a "three problems" outline.
In this type of essay, each of your body paragraphs is devoted to a different problem. This kind of essay is often easier to write, because instead of finding three reasons (or three experts), you only have to find one (and then repeat the process two more times).
Here is an example:
3 Things That Can Harm Your Children Introduction/Thesis: Computer games, vaping, and skateboarding—all of these things can cause great harm to kids.
Conclusion: Responsible parents should not permit their children to engage in these dangerous activities. |
Three Anecdotes
Sometimes, it's hard to find experts who agree with your thesis. Let's say, for example, that your thesis is "Ghosts really do exist." However, you're having trouble finding a bonafide expert who agrees that ghosts are real. In this case, you might need to resort to some anecdotes (short stories) that you find on the internet.
Ghosts Really Do Exist Introduction/Thesis: Ghosts Really Do Exist
Conclusion: There is strong evidence that ghosts really do exist. |
Of course, anecdotes are not considered strong evidence. And if your evidence is weak, your conclusion is dubious, at best.
But if stories told by ordinary people are the best evidence you can find, then that's what you'll have to use (or else you're going to have to change your thesis).
Instructions for the Quiz
Answer the questions.
Quiz