BULLETIN: Pre-writing Outline Assignment Format Guide

ASSIGNMENT: Pre-writing Outline Assignment
JOURNALISM / Knight

Task: Using your knowledge of the history of the press and the documentary The Black Press: Soldiers without Swords, students will compose a pre-writing outline in which they summarize the thesis statement, three main idea points, and supporting points of their essay.

Objective: To emphasis the need to examine writing as a process through which a writer shapes language to communicate effectively. Also, the assignment will promote writing as a process that often develops through a series of initial plans and multiple drafts through access to informed feedback and response.

Standards: [JW1] The student produces a plan for a story/paper that includes the following:
a--evidence of a complete understanding of the topic
b--evidence of a complete understanding of the basic organizational scheme for stories
c--evidence of thorough information gathering (i.e. quotes, facts, etc.)
d--evidence of how all gathered information ties directly to the topic

Model/Format: This is a model of how your outline should appear when submitted…NO EXCEPTIONS!

OUTLINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BLACK PRESS ESSAY

Topic: The contributions of the Black press made to the development of the American newspaper

Thesis Statement: Your thesis statement should be written exactly as it will appear in your essay prior to revision. In it you are explaining something to your audience. An expository thesis statement will tell your audience:

· what you are going to explain to them
· the categories you are using to organize your explanation
· the order in which you will be presenting your categories

These are questions to ask yourself when writing your expository thesis statement:

· What am I trying to explain?
· How can I categorize my explanation into different parts?
· In what order should I present the different parts of my explanation?

Main Idea Point #1: Here you should clearly state the first main idea point. Again, it should be written exactly as it will appear in your essay prior to revision; this means you need to write down one of your main ideas, in sentence form. This MI point should correspond with the first point identified in your thesis statement.

Supporting Detail Points #1-?: Here you should indicate supporting detail information for your first MI point. Write down your supporting point for that main idea as it might appear in your paper; this means you need to write down one of your main ideas, in sentence form. This information should be clear, relevant, and factual. This means you may choose to use facts and evidence from research here to support your MI point.

Elaboration Points #1-?: Here you should provide detailed commentary (in sentence form) on the specific supporting detail point that you have introduced, discussed, or chosen to approach. In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point. Elaboration can be further description or explanation or discussion.

NOTE: Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, one for each main point, you are ready to continue with your paper.

Closing Statement: The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points or providing a final perspective on your topic. This statement should wrap up your essay. It should only be 3 or 4 sentences in length...they must be logical and organized. You should attempt to tie up loose ends, as well as return to the central thesis of your paper. Do not simply restate the thesis. Even an anecdote can end your essay in a useful way.

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