Math 220 Writing Assignment 2
due Sunday, 02/10/19 (Upload your file to Turnitin (on Ecampus) )
Points possible: 15
The goal of this assignment is to prepare an Outline
that contains most or all the ideas that will appear in the final term paper. The outline should briefly describe what you plan to include in the text. This should help you to save time and make the writing of term
paper process easier. The outline will help you focus on points you
need to mention in on your paper. Plus, it breaks up research and
writing tasks into smaller parts you can tackle in or out of order.
Follow the following steps:
- Step 1:
Once you have chosen a topic you had to begin getting resources lined
up. Create a list of sources you can use based on the information you
will need (websites, articles and reference books).
- Step 2: Read the Description of Term paper. Click here.
- Step 3: Identify the research problem. The research problem is the
focal point from which the rest of the outline flows. Try to sum up the
point of your paper in one sentence or phrase. It also can be key to
deciding what the title of your paper should be.
- Step 4: Identify the main categories (key points). What main points will you
analyze? The introduction describes all of your main points; the rest
of your paper can be spent developing those points.
- Step 5: Create the first category (key point). What is the first point you want
to cover? If the paper centers around a complicated term, a definition
can be a good place to start. For a paper about a particular theory,
giving the general background on the theory can be a good place to
begin.
- Step 6: Create subcategories (supporting ideas) . Create points under it that provide support for the key point . Have at least two for each category.
- Step 7: Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to create other categories and their subcategories. The
number of categories that you use depends on the amount of information
that you are trying to cover (have at least three, but no more than five).
- Step 8: Create a document (your outline) that
will help you to sort and organize your data. It must
be typed (double space with margins 1 inch wide.) Your outline should be approximately two pages in length.
Follow the following
layout keeping in mind that your outline should be in sentence form. That means that
each section of the outline must be a complete sentence.
Title should be at the top. It
should include Student's Name, Course and Section number, topic number
(as it appears in the List of Possible Topics), and Topic Name (Title).
Introduction State the focus of your paper in one or two sentences. These should be complete, declarative sentences. (see Step 3 above)
Body List categories (key points) that you will be describing in the paper and for each key point outline the topic sentence idea (must be a clear complete sentence) and supporting ideas (up to three complete sentences each). Organize your data as follows:
I. Key point 1
Topic sentence idea (a main idea, point, or goal that you’re trying to get across. )
A. supporting idea 1
B. supporting idea 2
...
II. Key point 2
Topic sentence idea (a main idea, point, or goal that you’re trying to get across. )
A. supporting idea 1
B. supporting idea 2
...
III. Key point 3
Topic sentence idea (a main idea, point, or goal that you’re trying to get across. )
A. supporting idea 1
B. supporting idea 2
...
...
Conclusion Create a key summary sentence that declares a wrap-up of concepts to begin this paragraph and/or final thoughts (at least two clear sentences).
References
(see Step 1 above) should be in alphabetical order by last name and
enumerated as [1], [2], [3], etc. Any reasonable style of referencing
is
acceptable. See, for example the Reference section in back of the textbook, and remember to cite all of your references in the body of your text.
Other Things to Consider When Writing an Outline
Although the format of an outline is rigid, it
shouldn't make you inflexible about how to write your paper. Often when
you start investigating a research problem [i.e., reviewing the
research literature], especially if you are unfamiliar with the topic,
you should anticipate the likelihood your analysis could go in
different directions. If your paper changes focus, or you need to add
new sections, then feel free to reorganize the outline.
http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/outline
http://www.shoreline.edu/doldham/102/HTML/Sentence%20Outline.html
http://www.professays.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Researh-paper-outline-sample.pdf