Five Paragraph Essay/Research Paper Outline
I. Introduction
1) *Opening Sentence:
2) 3 Main Ideas
a. *Main Idea One
b.* Main Idea Two
c. *Main Idea Three
3) *Thesis Statement:
The Thesis Statement tells the reader how you will interpret the subject matter and is a road map for the paper. In other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. The Thesis Statement is usually a single sentence (generally located at the end of your first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.
II. Body
Main Idea 1- *Introductory/Topic Sentence
a. *Supporting Detail #1
b. *Supporting Detail #2
c. *Supporting Detail #3
d. *Supporting Detail #4
e. *Supporting Detail #5
*Concluding/Transition Sentence
Main Idea 2 - *Introductory/Topic Sentence
a. *Supporting Detail #1
b. *Supporting Detail #2
c. *Supporting Detail #3
d. *Supporting Detail #4
e. *Supporting Detail #5
*Concluding/Transition Sentence
1) Main Idea 3 - *Introductory/Topic Sentence
a. *Supporting Detail #1
b. *Supporting Detail #2
c. *Supporting Detail #3
d. *Supporting Detail #4
e. *Supporting Detail #5
*Concluding/Transition Sentence
III. Conclusion
1) *Re-state the thesis in a different way, and show the reader how the ideas and details that you provided prove or support your thesis.
2) **Synthesize, don’t summarize. Include the paper’s main points, but do not simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together.
3) ***Finish it up! Include a provocative insight or quotation from the research or reading you did for your paper. Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or questions for further study. Point to broader implications, or expand on your thesis by leaving the reader with parting thought or idea.
(Reminder: write one sentence for each asterisk on the outline)
