Choose of Book The Handmaid’s Tale Topic: History Repeats Itself
ENC 1102 Research Paper Outline
I. Introduction
1. Hooks the reader
2. Introduces topic
3. Sets the stage for the rest of your essay
4. Specific and clear thesis statement
1. Limits what you will write about
a) Names the author and work to be explored
2. Gives a focus as to what you will explore about the topic
1. a) Defines the literary elements that helps link the work or author
2. b) Minimizes the range of ideas that you will explore in theessay
3. c) Puts forth an argument that you will defend
II. Background
A. Short Biography
1. Short account of author’s life
1. a) Influences
2. b) Who and what influenced the author
3. c) Who and what did the author influence
4. d) Literary movement
B. Cultural/Historical Context
1. Cultural context includes religious, social, ethnical, and economic
aspects of life and society
2. Historical context includes many of the above but surely the political aspects and its influence in shaping life and society
3. Cultural and historical focus to relevant period and events
4. Helps reader put essay in time context
5. Helps reader make important links to influential events
C. Themes in Major Works
1. Plot summary of major work
2. Brief description of major and minor characters
D. Basic Information for Understanding Context of Thesis III. Analysis/Argument
1. Three literary elements (plot, character, setting, point of view, symbolism, theme, style, tone, and/or irony) will be analyzed with direct references from the work
2. Gives reasons for points or arguments that you make
1. Supports points with explanation
a) Fully develops the idea
2. b) Uses facts to support point
3. c) Makes assumptions or opinions that can be backed with evidence
C. Shows evidence of your points
1. Expert opinions support your discussion
2. Use of Primary Sources
a) first-hand account of an event or time period and are considered to be authoritative
3. Use of Secondary Sources
a) analysis, synthesis, interpretation, or evaluation of primary sources. Secondary sources often attempt to describe or explain primary sources.
D. Quotes sources accurately
1. Introduces quotes with the author and source of the information
(Introductory phrase/attributive tags)
2. Provides only that much of the quote that is necessary to get across meaning
3. Explains the significance of the quote in relation to the point you are making
4. Uses correct parenthetical reference/in-text citations
5. Summarizes and paraphrases in a concise manner
6. Avoids any plagiarism and documents all sources
IV. Conclusion
A. Sums up the essay
1. Restates the thesis
2. Summarizes key points of discussion
3. What is the significance of the essay?
4. What does all the evidence lead to?
5. What does the future hold?
6. What is the next logical step or idea?
V. Works Cited
A. Follows proper MLA formatting
1. Lists all sources referenced in the essay
2. Compiled on a separate page from the rest of the research paper
