Overview
The research outline serves as a stepping-stone between the planning and drafting phases of writing. This assignment gives you a chance to frame your future project, and put Toumlin’s method of argument into action, without having to make every element of the essay concrete. The research outline allows you to more proactively plan for a strong and solid essay, but also gives you the flexibility to change any elements that might require revision, before they are fully formed.
Expectations
By providing a blueprint for your future essay, the research outline helps you to:
Build an organizational strategy for your essay
Reinforce connections between the central claim, reasons, warrants, counter argument, and evidence
Determine what elements of the essay may require revision
Make structural, content, and organizational changes, in a manageable format
Requirements
Length/Development:
The outline must be written in complete sentences. *There is a 300 word-minimum requirement for this assignment. If the word-minimum is not met, your assignment may be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
Organization:
The outline must include: a central claim, three reasons, warrants, and paired evidence. The outline should also include at least one counterargument and one rebuttal. Without all of these components included, your work may be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
*You can add more categories, as you need them (but never less). For example, you may have 4 reasons, warrants, and supportive data for your claim, rather than the minimum of 3.
Component
Content
Conditions
Intro
Main Claim/Thesis Statement
Top Tip: Use these three Strategies for Thesis Structure: Simple, Straightforward, and Strong.
Body
1. Reason 1
1.1 Warrant 1
1.1.1 Evidence
1.1.2 Counterargument & Rebuttal (optional)
Top Tip: Think about transitions and other stylistic elements, as you build each element.
(Only one counterargument and rebuttal is needed. Writers may choose where to place this.)
Body
2. Reason 2
2.1 Warrant 2
2.1.1. Evidence
2.1.2. Counterargument & Rebuttal (optional)
Top Tip: Consider the order you will use for these reasons/warrants. Are you going to start with your strongest point (reason 1), or end with it (reason 3)?
(Only one counterargument and rebuttal is needed. Writers may choose where to place this.)
Body
3. Reason 3
3.1 Warrant 3
3.1.1. Evidence
3.1.2 Counterargument & Rebuttal (Required)
Top Tip: Don’t forget to directly address the counterargument with a rebuttal. This is an essential element of argument writing.
(Only one counterargument and rebuttal is needed. Writers may choose where to place this. Note: The last “body” paragraph is a suggestion.)
Document Formatting: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date), original title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (single or double-spaced), 1”margins, and 12-point font size, Times New Roman or sans-serif font.
Genre/Style: Formal, numbered outline written using academic language. All ideas should be shared in complete sentences. See organization and example.
Sources: None formally needed for the purpose of documentation; however, you may want to note from “where” you found your evidence. See example.
