Annotated Outline Example
An annotated outline is an outline in which additional information is added. This additional information is known as annotations. An annotated outline aims at helping you to organize the main points of your paper and ensuring that your research supports your thesis.
The following is an annotated outline example:
1. Introduction.
Provide an overview of the entire study in this section. Discuss statistics and past perspectives on your topic. Cite references from articles and studies relating to your topic.
Your introduction should include:
- Background. Provide a background leading up to the study in this section. Include an identification of the problem.
- Statement of the Problem. Discuss and propose a statement of the problem. Attempt to gather information from participants on how the topic has affected them.
- Purpose of Study. Address the purpose of this study in this section. Ensure that you explain the study is needed. Provide details on implications of the findings.
- Major Research Question and Sub Questions. This section should include the main questions of the research study. You should also include the sub-questions of the research study.
- Nature of Study. This section should include a brief overview of the research design and the proposed methodology to be used.
- Significance of the Study. Discuss a brief rationale and need for the methodology and research design selected. You should also provide the relevance and significance of the proposed study.
- Definition of Terms. Include the terms that will be used in the study in this section.
- Assumptions and Limitations. Include what the researcher believes to be true about the study, what the literature has reported to be true, as well as the methodological, theoretical and topic-specific assumptions. You should also discuss what the study did not include and suggest the implications for further research in this section.
2. Body.
The section headings should be labeled and ordered so they support your thesis statement. Your body paragraphs should include:
- At least two supporting paragraph headings under each section heading. Each section heading should then contain at least two paragraph headings that support the points made in the section.
- Topic sentences. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that reflects your thesis and supports the arguments made in the paragraph.
- Supporting points. You should include at least two supporting examples in each paragraph and a content summary that explains how the paragraph connects with your thesis statement.
3. Conclusion.
Your annotated outline should end with a Conclusion. you should include the following in your conclusion:
- A restatement of your thesis statement.
- Concluding details.
- A final line which reinforces your thesis statement.