When you write an analytical paper, your paper focuses on developing a nuanced interpretation
of a particular work. Each paragraph should further that interpretation and must relate directly
back to your thesis statement from your introduction paragraph.
For this assignment, you will develop an outline for your analytical paper. An outline is meant to
help you organize your points. Think of it as a skeleton that you will “flesh out” when you write
your paper. The more detail you include in the outline, the more likely you will develop a strong
paper. Further directions below:
• You need to use a formal outline format; use the outline template provided below to help
structure your outline.
• You must write full sentences for the thesis statement, the topic/transition sentences, the
passages, and the restatement of thesis. Note: The passages will be direct quotes from the
text, so include quotation marks and a citation in APA style.
• Do not include any information from research yet. You first want to make sure that you
have enough evidence from the text itself to defend your thesis.
How to use the outline template: Erase each line before typing into the space. You may add or
delete supporting points or details. To add, simply place your cursor at the end of a line, hit
Enter, and you will see a new number or letter appear. To delete, simply highlight the line and hit
Delete or Backspace.
I. Introduction
A. Background info: ___________________________________________________
B. Background info: ___________________________________________________
C. Background info: ___________________________________________________
D. Thesis statement: ___________________________________________________
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. Topic sentence: ____________________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
SHORT PAPER TITLE HERE 2
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. Topic/transition sentence: ____________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
SHORT PAPER TITLE HERE 3
IV. Body Paragraph 3
A. Topic/transition sentence: ____________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
V. Body Paragraph 4
A. Topic/transition sentence: ____________________________________________
1. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
2. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
3. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
4. passage: ____________________________________________________
SHORT PAPER TITLE HERE 4
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
5. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
6. passage: ____________________________________________________
a. interpretation: __________________________________________
VI. Conclusion
A. Restatement of thesis: _______________________________________________
B. So what? Address the wider implications of your interpretation:
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
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