Assignment 5 Developing The Formal Topic Outline August 15

Assignment 5 Developing The Formal Topic Outline August 15 October 2

Read Chapter 3, "Organizing Ideas and Setting Goals" in Lester; Chapter 9, Writing Effective Notes and Creating Outlines" in Lester, and Chapter 3, "Finding Useful Sources" in Turabian. You are required to develop the formal topic outline for your paper. Please review the steps and other information for writing a research proposal in the "Announcement" section of this course. Your outline should contain all of the information listed in the steps for a research proposal as stated in the "Announcement" section but the information under each section should be relevant to your topic. For example, you should list items to be discussed in your introduction; your statement of the problem should describe the problem as it relates to your topic of research (in essence, why does the research need to be done); etc. Learning Objectives: After reading these chapters students should be able to: Understand the sources they are expected to use when writing a scholarly paper. Write a rough outline. Evaluate sources for relevance and reliability.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of developing a formal topic outline is a critical step in the research and writing process, particularly for scholarly papers. A well-structured outline helps organize ideas, clarify research goals, and ensure the research is targeted and relevant. This paper discusses the essential steps involved in creating an effective formal outline, integrating guidance from key academic sources and emphasizing the importance of understanding source relevance and reliability in scholarly research.

First, understanding the foundational concepts of organizing ideas and setting clear goals, as outlined in Lester’s Chapter 3, is vital. Lester emphasizes the importance of establishing a logical flow of ideas, which enhances the coherence and persuasiveness of the research paper. Setting precise goals involves identifying the primary purpose of the research, such as informing, arguing, or explaining a particular issue. Clarity about these goals guides the subsequent steps in outline development.

Next, the role of effective note-taking, as discussed in Lester’s Chapter 9, is indispensable. Effective notes facilitate the organization of ideas around key themes and help synthesize information from various sources. Creating outlines from notes ensures that the structure accurately reflects the research findings and supports the overall argument. An organized outline includes main headings and subpoints that correspond to the major themes and subthemes derived from the research.

Additionally, Turabian’s Chapter 3 highlights the necessity of locating and evaluating useful sources. Reliable sources underpin the credibility of scholarly work. Evaluating sources involves assessing their relevance to the research question and their authority or reliability based on criteria such as authorship, publication process, and credibility of the platform. It also involves discerning between primary and secondary sources, and ensuring that each chosen reference enhances the argumentative strength of the paper.

Developing the outline for a research paper requires framing each section with specific content. For the introduction, items should include background information, research questions, and the thesis statement. The statement of the problem should detail why the research is necessary, what gap it fills in the existing literature, and its potential impact. The body of the outline should systematically address each point with supporting evidence, organized logically to build an argument. These points should directly relate to the research goals and questions identified earlier.

In conclusion, creating a formal outline not only organizes ideas but also ensures the research remains focused and methodologically sound. By understanding how to source and evaluate relevant information, a researcher can develop a comprehensive outline that guides the writing process and enhances the clarity and credibility of the final paper. The integration of the above steps grounded in Lester’s and Turabian’s guidance provides a structured approach to effective scholarly writing.

References

• Lester, J. D. (2013). Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide. Pearson.
• Turabian, K. L. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. University of Chicago Press.
• Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2017). They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The Craft of Research. University of Chicago Press.
• Bailey, S. (2018). Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. Routledge.
• Lunsford, A. A., & Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2016). Everything’s an Argument. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Wallace, M., & Wray, A. (2016). Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates. SAGE Publications.
• Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. University of Michigan Press.
• Hughey, M. W. (2014). The Craft of Critical Reading and Writing. Routledge.
• Pechenik, J. A. (2014). A Short Guide to Writing About Biology. Pearson.