Essay #1 Outline Template

*Examples below may take the form of quotations, summaries, or paraphrases. We will discuss when it is appropriate to use which, but a general rule is to only use direct quotations when the language itself is really spectacular and meaningful. Otherwise, a paraphrase/summary is best.

First Paragraph Block (Introduction):

            *Potential title (your title should include your fairy tale AND the cultural values it represents)

*Necessary background info (introduce your fairy tale & genre such as film, short story, TV show, etc; its intended audience such as adults or children; whether it's conservative, postmodern mashup, revisionist; any relevant character & plot details; define key terms; if necessary discuss any major updates to the story from prior versions)

*Thesis statement (1-2 sentences—must specifically tell us which cultural values your fairy tale demonstrates)

*Define cultural values as needed and give them some cultural context, including their cultural history (Are these values new? If so, when did they come into the culture and why?)

Second Paragraph Block:

*Topic Sentence (mini-thesis statement for the paragraph; should begin to answer the "why" of your paper)

            *Supporting background information/contextual details from fairy tale for your Topic

            *Example #1 from Fairy Tale 1 (set up/contextualize/integrate)

            *Analyze Example #1 

            *Example #2

            *Analyze Example #2 (set up/contextualize/integrate)

*Analyze how quotes support your topic, and how they connect back to your overall thesis for the paper

*Example #3, from outside critical source, if needed….
*Transition to next paragraph

Third Paragraph Block:

*Topic Sentence (mini-thesis statement for the paragraph; introduces your second topic)

            *Supporting background information/contextual details from fairy tale for your Topic

            *Example #1 from Fairy Tale 1 (set up/contextualize/integrate)

            *Analyze Example #1 

            *Example #2

            *Analyze Example #2 (set up/contextualize/integrate)

*Analyze how quotes support your topic, and how they connect back to your overall thesis for the paper

*Example #3, from outside critical source, if needed….
*Transition to next paragraph

Fourth, Fifth, Etc., Paragraph Blocks (Basically, All Body Paragraphs):

*Same or similar to above. 

Final Paragraph Block

*Conclusion: Restate your thesis statement in different words. Summarize what has been accomplished in the essay. Close with a compelling hook. Remember not to bring in any new analysis, but to instead focus on reminding your reader of what has already been accomplished, in an interesting way. Remember, this is the last thing your reader will read. Do not rush the conclusion. Make sure it's at least five sentences, and make them strong.

Works Cited
Please remember that you will need a Works Cited page with your Essay. Please include a draft of this with your Outline. It should include all four or more sources (your fairy tale, your three scholarly library sources, and any other sources you may have used in your paper such as an older version of your fairy tale).

Remember, if you include a source on your Works Cited page, you must use it in your essay at least once! Do NOT include sources you will not incorporate into your essay.