Essay Outline
Open and review the attached file on “Creating Outlines.” The information here will help you create an outline for Essay #1, which you will submit as your next assignment.
Be sure that your outline includes a clear thesis statement andclear topic sentences for each of the three supporting claims you will include.
NOTE: The sample in the attached file shows just one way to organize your paper. You do not have to follow this exact outline. Place your paragraphs in the order that is best for the arguments you are presenting and for your reader’s understanding
English 1302
Essay Assignment #1
Prewriting Exercise:
Reflect on the ideas presented in the various articles you have read addressing the impact of mass
media technologies as well as the discussion you have had with classmates about these ideas. In
particular, bear in mind Joanne Simpsons claim that students use of media technology results in a
scattered, fragmentary consciousness that is affecting their ability to communicate effectively with
their instructors and their performance in college classes. Similar concerns about mass media and
technology and their collective impact on reading, writing, thinking, and communicating are raised
by all of the authors.
Essay Prompt:
Write an essay in which you defend, oppose, or modify Joanne Simpsons central claim
that media multitasking is damaging to students abilities to focus, to learn, and to
effectively communicate with others.
Be sure that you address the three specific concerns referenced in the above prompt. And be sure
that your position or stance is articulated in a clear thesis statement. To help support your claim
(thesis), you will conduct some research, as detailed below. Draw upon the assigned readings, the
research materials, and your own knowledge and experience to develop your argument. Be sure
provide specific examples and details to support your position.
Sources:
You are required to have a minimum of four sources for this research projectthree will be from
the readings already provided (you may choose among the essays by Simpson, Tugend, Carr, and
Schwartz); the fourth will be an external source that you locate.
You should look only for newspaper articles, mainstream magazine articles, or scholarly journal
articles. Note that these can all be accessed through the Electronic Databases available via the
DCCCD library website, http://libguides.dcccd.edu/az.php.
Be sure to record the details about every source you find (authors, titles, publication places and
dates, page numbers, etc.) for the Annotated Bibliography assignment and your essays Works
Cited list.
Annotated Bibliography:
An Annotated Bibliography is merely a standard Works Cited list that includes a brief description
and/or evaluation of each source cited, which shows me what resources you have consulted and
how useful they have been. For the Annotated Bibliography, you will need to create annotations
for each of the sources that you use in your essay. Please refer to the guidelines on developing an
Annotated Bibliography and sample AB provided, and please refer to the Course Calendar for the
due date for this separate assignment.
http://libguides.dcccd.edu/az.php
Citations:
You must incorporate either direct quotes or indirect paraphrases of information from all of the
sources you use to help illustrate and/or support your claims. References to sources and
quotations from them will be done with parenthetical citation using the MLA format. At the end of
the essay, provide a separate Works Cited page, again using the MLA format.
To help you out, here are the full citations for the essays provided to you:
Carr, Nicholas. Is Google Making Us Stupid? The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 2008,
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/.
Schwartz, Casey. Finding It Hard to Focus? Maybe Its Not Your Fault. New York Times, 14 Aug.,
2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/14/style/how-can-i-focus-better.html.
Simpson, Joanne. Multitasking State of Mind. 2006. Rpt. in Signs of Life in the USA, 6th ed.,
edited by Sonia Maasik and Jack Solomon, Bedford, 2014, pp. 469-71.
Tugend, Alina. Multitasking Can Make You Lose … Um … Focus. New York Times, 24 Oct. 2008.
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/business/yourmoney/25shortcuts.html.
Required Elements:
Be sure to write your name, the date, and the course and section number in the upper left corner
Be sure that your essay has:
an introductory paragraphthis should provide context for the reader; it should include
information about the general topic being addressed as well as the more specific concerns or
issues to be examined; it should also include your thesis statement.
a thesis statementthis sentence should be direct and make clear your position or stance in
the debate and address the three specific concerns referenced in the prompt.
at least three supporting claims/pointsbe sure to organize your essay around the concerns
and/or supporting claims, and not around the authors or articles.
focused and well-organized paragraphs, with clear topic sentenceseach topic sentence
should offer a claim that addresses a specific concern or issue and functions to support the
thesis.
direct quotes and/or paraphrases, cited in MLA format, from all of the sources used.
a clear concluding paragraph
a Works Cited page, in MLA format, listing a minimum of 4 (four) sources
Minimum Requirements
The final version should be a minimum of 1000 words (approximately 4 pages, not including Works
Cited), typed and double-spaced (standard 12 point font) with one inch margins on all sides. It
must also include all of the required elements noted above.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you will earn no more than 50% of the allotted
points for this assignment.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/
English 1302 Handout created by Justine White www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcorner
The English Corner at Richland College
Creating Outlines
After you have a working thesis, create a rough outline. An outline will help you structure your
research and organize your notes and materials. Use your rough outline to organize your
thoughts.
I. Introduction
A. Introduction
i. Attention grabber, sometimes called a hook. Grab your readers attention
with a shocking statistic, startling fact, intriguing quote, or interesting
anecdote.
ii. Roadmap that introduces what you will be writing about (subject,
opposing viewpoint, and reasons). For example, While some argue X,
others believe Y.
iii. Working thesis (generally, the last sentence of the introduction)
II. Body paragraphs
A. Background information (include one, two, or all three is relevant)
i. Explain the history of your topic
ii. Introduce any major people or concepts
iii. Define any important terms
B. Counterargument
i. Tell: Counterargument/Opposing view (topic sentence; begins with a
transition)
ii. Show: What do they say against your argument? (quote, example,
statistic, fact)
iii. Share: Explain the evidence and end with a summary sentence that shares
what the reader needs to know about the opposition
C. Refutation
i. Tell: Refutation (explains why the opposing view above is wrong,
incomplete, or problematic; begins with a transition and an
acknowledgement of the opposition)
ii. Show: Supporting evidence to prove naysayer wrong (quotes, examples,
statistics, facts)
iii. Share: Answer the So what? Who cares? Why does it matter? questions
and relate back to your thesis.
D. Supporting paragraph
i. Tell: Reason 1 (topic sentence)
ii. Show: Supporting evidence one (quotes, examples, statistics, facts;
include direct quotes here, paraphrase, or summarize information).
iii. Share: Answer the So what? Who cares? Why does it matter? questions
and then relate back to your thesis.
E. Supporting paragraph
i. Tell: Reason 2 (topic sentence)
ii. Show: Supporting evidence two (quotes, examples, statistics, facts;
include direct quotes here, paraphrase, or summarize information)
Handout created by Justine White www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcorner
iii. Share: Answer the So what? Who cares? Why does it matter? questions
and then relate back to your thesis.
F. Supporting paragraph (strongest evidence goes here)
i. Tell: Reason 3 (topic sentence)
ii. Show: Supporting evidence three (quotes, examples, statistics, facts;
include direct quotes here, paraphrase, or summarize information)
iii. Share: Answer the So what? Who cares? Why does it matter? questions
and then relate back to your thesis.
III. Conclusion
A. Real world consequences, a call to action, a future issue, or a solution
Your outline doesnt have to be written in full sentences. It can be phrases or fragments that help
you remember ideas.
When including quotes or paraphrases in your outline, dont forget to include the name of the
article, the author, and the page number(s) where you found the information, so it will be easier
to cite as you complete the essay.
Remember, this is just an example. You might have more reasons or more
naysayers/counterarguments. Do not feel constrained or limited by a specific number of
paragraphs. Use as many paragraphs as necessary to fully prove your claim.
Additionally, you might reorder your paragraphs differently from the example above. Begin the
body of your paper with a strong reason and evidence; place your weakest evidence in the
middle, and finally, save your strongest argument for last. Beginning with the opposing view can
be a good idea when its a highly controversial topic. That way, you begin with a good argument
but leave your reader with the most powerful piece of evidence. Consider the strength of your
evidence as you decide how to order paragraphs. For example, if your refutation isnt your
strongest argument, dont place it last. Put it in the middle instead. Order your paragraphs
according to the strength of their argument.
Creating Outlines
Creating Outlines
