Thesis and Outline Assignment

 
Outline and Thesis Assignment
Learning Objectives : 

Read and think critically about a variety of genres and texts.
Develop and organize ideas to support a thesis.
Compose in a variety of genres with a focus on expository, analytical, and persuasive writing and make deliberate rhetorical decisions based on audience and purpose.
Integrate source material in an academic essay, making appropriate use of summary, paraphrase, and quotation and citing sources according to MLA documentation format. 
Revise to improve content and structure and edit to correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage.

All 101 assignments must be in Standard English, and must be typed.
The outline is the map to your research paper, which will be an argument of about 1200 words. 
This outline forms the framework for your paper, so the more specific and detailed your outline, the less work you have on your draft.
You will work from this basic outline as you write your paper. If your paper alters in form as you draft later, you may want to stop and change the format of your outline, so that you are still on track.
Process :
You will support your argument by citing with evidence from credible sources.  At least four sources will be required.
Your topic is a way that technology has changed, or will change, your major field of study. 
The thesis must be an argument, so ask a research question, and answer the question to have an argument.
Example:
Topic: self-driving cars
Research question: Are self-driving cars a good idea?
Thesis: Self-driving cars are a useful tool for distracted drivers, long distance trips, and some self-driving mechanisms may be integrated into human operated vehicles.
The outline should be in complete sentences; the thesis and topic sentences should frame the majority of the upcoming paper.
All source material must be cited in text —paraphrased material as well as quoted material.
!!Important: please note that your assignment requires in-text citations for all evidence.

Checklist:

The document is in formal outline format
The thesis is at the top of the outline
The outline is a 400 – 500 word formal outline for your research paper
The outline should have topic sentences followed by in-text cited details in each section.  
All evidence from sources is cited in text. 
All language should be in Standard English and punctuated correctly. Topic sentences and corresponding ideas relate to the thesis stated in the beginning.
The argument shows reason, evidence, and critical analysis of the topic.
All parts of your outline should be cited and should be written in complete, Standard English sentences. 

Outline Rubric
The following explains the assignment specific grading criteria.  General guidelines of the DCC rubric apply.
A-B    

The outline is at least 500 words in length. 
It has topic sentences followed by in-text cited details in each section.
All language is in Standard English and is punctuated correctly. 
All sentences are complete
Topic sentences and corresponding ideas relate to the thesis statement stated in the beginning at the end of the introduction. 
Ideas are insightful and show critical analysis of the topic.
No more than 20% direct quotation—
All supporting points have in-text citations in the correct format

C        

The outline is over 50 words short in length.
It may be missing one topic sentence. 
It may be missing one or two in text citations on supporting evidence. 
It may be missing an end quote or quotations on a very short quotation
The student shows a general understanding of the issue, but does not show insight or significant critical thinking.
There may be 3+ major grammar and/or punctuation errors, which do not interfere with meaning.
There may be 1 or 2 fragments
Must be under 25% direct quotations—

D        

The outline is more than 100 words short. 
Structure, including topic sentences and supporting points, is not evident.
Frequent grammar and punctuation errors interfere with meaning in more than 1 or 2 sentences. 
Complete sentences are not used.
More than two points are not cited.
Over 25% direct quotations (see SA report)

F          Criteria for a D are not met.

The paper is not in outline format
Paper may be plagiarized
Paper may be more than 25% direct quotations
Serious developmental grammar and punctuation issues may occur frequently and may interfere with meaning
Paper is incoherent