OUTLINING A RESEARCH PAPER

Plan ahead, or plan to fail!

Step #1 Create your thesis statement.

*Be sure to include:A. Your topicB. Your opinionD. Preview 3 elements of support.

EXAMPLE: Clara Bow negatively impacted society’s view of women due to her influence on fashion, women’s attitudes, and men’s attitudes toward women.

Step #2 Create your topic sentences

*Be sure to include:A. the topicB. Your opinionC. Specific reason for your

element of support

EXAMPLE: Clara Bow encouraged men to objectify women.

Step #3 Find textual support (QUOTES)

*Be sure to include:A. Quotation marksB. A citation

EXAMPLE: “Being beautiful is a woman’s job. The more sex appeal I exude, the more men will want me!” (Bow 3).

Step #4 Explain the context of the quote.

*Be sure to include:A. Who (speaker and listener if dialogue)B. Where (either the physical setting or placement within the story)C. What (explain the situation before the quote)

EXAMPLE: After a movie premiere, a reporter asked Clara Bow how she feels about her job as an actress. The starlet replied, “

Step #5 Tie it all together!

*Be sure to include:A. An explanation or paraphrase of the quote (Break it down)B. How it proves your position in your thesis.

Example: Since Bow values her feminine appearance, she is clearly trying to get the attention of men during the 1920’s. She objectifies women by claiming their only job is to look pretty for the men. By making this statement, Bow allows men to then focus only on a woman’s appearance rather than her talents.