Outline

English 11 R Research Paper Outline

//Title of Novel// Outline I. Introduction A. **BBQ**=**B**ackground information, **B**rief story, **Q**uotation 1. 2.  B. Thesis statement: statement that includes title, author, two literary elements, and the theme. For example: In (//title of novel//), (author's name) uses (list two literary devices) to convey (identify the theme). II. Body Paragraph #1 A. Topic sentence: statement that introduces the first literary element that you mentioned in your thesis statement. You may want to add a quote from a piece of criticism with the correct citation (critic's words) to support your topic sentence. B. Discussion of the first example of first literary element 1. Exposition--context to set up or introduce the quote from the novel (your own words) 2. Quote from novel with correct citation (author's words) 3. Explanation that points out how this example of the literary element helps develop the theme that is stated in the thesis (your own words) 4. Quote from criticism with correct citation (critic's words) 5. Comment or explanation on the critic's idea (your own words) 6. Concluding sentence to connect back to topic sentence of body paragraph and/or thesis (your own words)

III. Body Paragraph #2 A. Transitional phrase and topic sentence: statement that introduces the second example of first literary element from novel B. Discussion of second example of first literary element 1. Exposition - context to set up or introduce the quote from the novel (your own words) 2. Quote from novel with correct citation (author's words) 3. Explanation that points out how this example of the literary element helps develop the theme that is state in the thesis (your own words) 4. Quote from criticism with correct citation (critic's words) 5. Comment or explanation on the critic's idea (your own words) 6. Concluding sentence to connect back to topic sentence of body paragraph and/or thesis (your own words)

IV. Body Paragraph #3 A. Transitional phrase and topic sentence: statement that introduces the second literary element that you mentioned in your thesis statement. You may want to add a quote from a piece of criticism with the correct citation (critic's words) to support your topic sentence. B. Discussion of first example of second literary element from novel 1. Exposition - context to set up or introduce the quote from the novel 2. Quote from novel with correct citation (author's words) 3. Explanation that points out how this example of the literary element helps develop the theme that is stated in the thesis (your own words) 4. Quote from criticism with correct citation (critic's words) 5. Comment or explanation on the critic's idea (your own words) 6. Concluding sentence to connect back to topic sentence of body paragraph and/or thesis (your own words)

V. Body Paragraph #4 A. Transitional phrase and topic sentence: statement that introduces the second example of second literary element from novel B. Discussion of second example of second literary element 1. Exposition - context to set up or introduce the quote from the novel (your own words) 2. Quote from novel with correct citation (critic's words) 3. Explanation that points out how this example of the literary element helps develop the theme that is stated in the thesis (your own words) 4. Quote from criticism with correct citation (critic's words) 5. Comment or explanation on the critic's idea (your own words) 6. Concluding sentence to connect back to topic sentence of body paragraph and/or thesis (your own words)

VI. Conclusion A. Restate thesis B. Summarize main points in the paper (restate topic sentences with summary of examples using very different words and phrases to avoid being long-winded and repetitive. C. Quote from novel and/or quote from criticism with correct citation.  D. So what? What is the lesson that this author is trying to teach? What message is the author sending to readers? What is the author's purpose in writing this piece of literature? What is the purpose of you writing this paper? Give one final powerful statement that leaves your readers with a positive lasting impression.


 * Body paragraphs follow a certain pattern so that ideas are organized in a logical and coherent manner. However, the patterns can be slightly different as seen above.


 * Do not write one or two words for letters A-D and numbers 1-6. You should write full sentences with the correct citations as much as possible to make an easier transition from outline to draft.