Sample Outline - Research Paper

Sample outline sketch for research paper:

Joe Schmo
English 11
Mr. Guay
03-18-2009

Diagnosing Holden Caulfield: PTSD

Motivator: Imagine not having control of your emotions, at times feeling like you’re under attack. Taking a look at Holden Caulfield, the main character from The Catcher in the Rye, readers get a look into this lifestyle.

Thesis Statement: Due to the loss of his brother Allie, Holden may suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

I. Background of PTSD
A. Definition:
B. Background information
1. Quote from source
2. Why quote is significant
C. Statistics
1. Quote from source
2. Why quote is significant

II. Examples from text of why Holden may have PTSD
A. Summary of point in text that exemplifies PTSD
1. Relation to prior fact or statistic stated in first major topic
2. Why it is significant
B. Summary of point in text that exemplifies PTSD
1. Relation to prior fact or statistic stated in first major topic
2. Why it is significant
C. Summary of point in text that exemplifies PTSD
1. Relation to prior fact or statistic stated in first major topic
2. Why it is significant
III. Treatment of PTSD
A. Example of treatment from source
1. Relation to Catcher and how this could help Holden (either paraphrase a from the book or use a quote making sure to use a parenthetical citation)
B. Example of treatment from source
2. Relation to Catcher and how this could help Holden (either paraphrase a scene from the book or use a quote making sure to use a parenthetical citation)
C. Example of treatment from source
1. Relation to Catcher and how this could help Holden (either paraphrase a scene from the book or use a quote making sure to use a parenthetical citation)

IV. Conclusion
A. By taking a closer look at Holden Caulfield, readers are able to psychoanalyze him. It becomes clear when backed with this research that Holden Caulfield has PTSD. This helps explain his rash emotions, when he at times acts mature and other times very immature. Even though Holden may be a fiction character, applying treatments for PTSD to Holden may offer insight into the somewhat difficult realm of the teenage mind.

THEN:

Turning it into an introduction goes like this,


Imagine not having control of your emotions, at times feeling like you’re under attack. Taking a look at Holden Caulfield, the main character from The Catcher in the Rye, readers get a look into this lifestyle. Due to the loss of his brother Allie, Holden may suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). By looking at the background and definition of PTSD and then relating this scenes from the novel, readers can go on and apply treatments for PTSD to Holden.