Research Paper Outline--Introduction

General Research Paper Outline Template—Outlining the Introduction

Introduction

I.            The Hook

Write the hook for your paper, which may be a fitting direct quote from one of your sources. This will need to make sense as the beginning of a paper, so choose wisely. You MUST document it at the end and put quotation marks around it if it’s a quotation, so you are not plagiarizing! Otherwise, a general statement or situation will work as your ‘hook’.

Remember that the hook is only the first sentence of the introduction paragraph.  If you choose to use source material as your hook, please keep in mind that sources will not be anywhere else in the introduction except for the ‘hook’ line of the introduction.

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II.          The Link and Background

No matter what you used as your ‘hook’ in the first sentence of the introduction paragraph—but especially if you used a quote for your ‘hook’, you need to explain it in this section in a smooth transition between your ‘hook’ and thesis. Do not write “This quote means…” or any other version of that statement. Instead, reference the quote indirectly, such as: Barnstead implies… You may want another sentence or two to narrow and define your aspect of the topic.

This ‘link’ section is where you transition from your ‘hook’ into background material that will provide substance for the reader—without the use of source material—as you funnel-down to your thesis statement.

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III.        The Thesis

This is the guiding sentence for your paper.  It should be able to be read on its own and let the reader know exactly what your point will be for the essay.  If your assignment is for an argument style essay, you must take a stand on the topic that your instructor assigned to you.  Most ENGL101 courses require argument writing, and so be sure to include an assertive, one sided viewpoint for the topic.

The Thesis will NOT be a question.  It will not be multiple sentences.  As in its title…Thesis Statement, it must be a statement that takes a stance on your topic. Your reader should be able to disagree with your statement, and your evidence/research (that will come in your body-paragraphs) will be crafted to definitively support your statement. If you cannot support your statement to convince the audience of your argument, then you must draft a new thesis.

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General Research Paper—Introduction Outline