Pop-Culture vs. Science Analysis: The Full-Sentence Outline
I. Well-organized papers begin with outlines for two reasons.
A. First, outlines make sure the writer is thinking logically.
B. Second, the outline makes your ideas clear to the reader; the reader should be able to recreate the outline from your text (just as you might outline a book chapter).
II. Outlines must conform to standard principles of organization.
A. Separation: Main points (and their sub-points) should be distinct and not overlap.
B. Symmetry [balance]: Main points should have roughly the same amount of information. If they don’t, you may need to (1) drop a point, (2) expand a point, or (3) reorganize the information.
C. Arrangement: A long list of points indicates a lack of abstraction; look for larger categories. Similarly, you cannot have just one subordinate point; that is, every “A” needs a “B,” every “1” needs a “2”, and so forth.
D. Subordination: Sub points should be (1) directly relevant to the main point and
(2) be of a lower level of abstraction.
III. This outline should have the following content.
A. Cover page (see example)
B. Thesis statement, which stands by itself and does not have a roman numeral.
C. Major points, and all (or most) of the sub-points under the major points written in complete sentences.
D. Under the sub-points there may be additional sub-sub-points (also in complete sentences), which would be the evidence that supports lines of reasoning: definitions, examples, quotations, paraphrases, explanations, and so forth. Do not just list topics or ideas; they tell the reader nothing.
E. You must provide a references page in proper APA format. It is not expected that your research would be complete; this is just evidence investigation has begun. More can be added for the final paper.
F. You do not have to provide the introduction, transitions, or conclusion in this outline.
IV. This outline should have the following style.
A. Although there are several formats, use roman numerals. Do not use bullet points!
B. Double-space with one-inch margins.
C. Use page numbers.
C. Use APA style for quotations, paraphrases, and the references page.
V. Criteria for evaluation: See the Sentence Outline Rubric below. For a full-size copy, see the Assignments folder.
VI. There are many resources for outlining on the internet that include basic principles and examples. Among them are:
A. Purdue OWL: Developing an Outline https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/03/
B. Harvard University: Outlining http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/outlining
C. Walden University: Outlining a Paper http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/318.htm
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“Lack of confidence, sometimes alternating with unrealistic dreams of heroic success, often leads to procrastination, and many studies suggest that procrastinators are self-handicappers: rather than risk failure, they prefer to create conditions that make success impossible, a reflex that of course creates a vicious cycle.” |
Sample Sentence Outline
This is an example from a group interaction class, designed for analyzing a film. Thus it is not a template for this assignment! However, this outline does illustrate deductive reasoning, sentence structure and major principles of outlining (separation, symmetry, arrangement, subordination). Note that communication principles and sub-principles are really topic sentences for paragraphs.
Leadership on the Front Lines: Style is Everything
Thesis: The effectiveness of various leadership styles varies with the situation, as observed in
the management practices manifested in the television program M*A*S*H.
I. Communication Principle: Laissez-faire leadership [give definition with source] works when
the outcome isn’t crucial to group effectiveness. [Source]
A. Sub-Principle: Laissez-faire leadership is effective for social occasions. [Source]
1. Example 1: The staff planned a birthday party without Col. Blake’s knowledge.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [The party was great.]
2. Example 2: Col Potter assigned Hawkeye and B.J. to be morale officers.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [Morale went up].
B. Sub-Principle: Laissez-faire leadership is ineffective for managing personnel matters. [Source]
1. Example 1: Col. Blake ignored Major Hoolihan’s complaints about Hawkeye and Trapper John.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [Major Hoolihan applied for a transfer.]
2. Example 2: Col Potter listened to Hawkeye’s and B.J.’s complaints about Major Burns.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [Major Burns let up on them.]
II. Communication Principle: Authoritarian leadership [give definition with source] has a
powerful effect on group dynamics. [Source]
A. Sub-principle: Authoritarian leadership is effective and necessary in crises. [Source]
1. Example 1: When pain medication was not available, Col. Potter ordered the use of placebos.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [The patients fell asleep.]
2. Example 2: When the camp was being attacked by a sniper, Col. Blake ordered everyone to stay put.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [No one was hurt.]
B. Sub-principle: Authoritarian leadership can lower morale. [Source]
1. Example 1: Major Burns ordered the camp to move across the road “just for practice.”
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [The staff rebelled and became insubordinate.]
2. Example 2: Major Hoolihan would not let a nurse have leave to see her husband.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [The nursing staff helped her sneak out, undermining the major’s authority.]
III. Communication Principle: Democratic leadership [give definition with source] is effective for managing well-trained personnel. [Source]
A. Sub-principle: Democratic leadership is effective for problem-solving. [Source]
1. Example 1: When a soldier’s temperature would not go down, Colonel Potter asked the staff for suggestions.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [The temperature went down.]
2. Example 2: When an unexploded missile landed in the compound, Col. Blake called experts from various forces.
a. Dialogue or paraphrases from script
b. Impact on events [Finally he found someone who could defuse the missile.]
B. Sub-principle: Democratic leadership is ineffective in emergencies. [Source]
And so forth…
IV. Recommendations: Therefore, M*A*S*H leaders should expand their repertoire of leadership styles.
A. First, Col. Blake should become less laissez-faire.
1. Example: If he had said,”………,” then
2. Effect: Major Hoolihan might not have quit.
B. Second, Major Hoolihan should be more democratic at times.
1. Example: If she had let the nurses set their own schedule, then
2. Effect: The nurse could have seen her husband without sneaking out, and staff would have appreciated Major Hoolihan’s compassion.
And so forth….
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