QU Environmental Impacts of Divorce Reflection

The first section of the outline is the introduction, which identifies the subject and gives an

overview of your reaction to it. The introduction paragraph ends with your thesis statement, which identifies your position The thesis statement serves as the focal point of your paper. It also provides a transition to the body of the paper and will be revisited in your conclusion.

The body of your paper identifies the three (or more, depending on the length of your paper)

major points that support your thesis statement. Each paragraph in the body should start with a

topic sentence. The rest of each paragraph supports your topic sentence. Keep in mind that a

transition sentence at the end of each paragraph creates a paper that flows logically and is easy

to read. When creating the outline, identify the topic sentence for each paragraph, and add the

supporting statements, evidence, and your own experiences or reactions to the subject

underneath.

The conclusion wraps up your essay, serving as the other bookend in stating and proving your

thesis statement. In outlining the conclusion, identify the thesis statement and add the main

points from the body paragraphs as a recap. Don’t add new information to the conclusion, and

be sure to identify the closing statement of your reflection paper.

A sample outline format should reflect the main points of your paper, from start to finish:

I.  

II. Introduction

A. Identify and explain subject

B. State your reaction to the subject

1. Agree/disagree?

2. Did you change your mind?

3. What did you learn?

C. Thesis Statement

III. Body Paragraph 1

A. Topic Sentence

1. Supporting evidence 1

2. Supporting evidence 2

3. Supporting evidence3

IV. Body Paragraph 2

A. Topic Sentence

1. Supporting evidence 1

2. Supporting evidence 2

3. Supporting evidence3

V. Body Paragraph 3

A. Topic Sentence

1. Supporting evidence 1

2. Supporting evidence 2

3. Supporting evidence3

VI. Conclusion

A. Recap thesis statement

B. Recap Paragraph 1

C. Recap Paragraph 2

D. Recap Paragraph 3

E. Conclusion statement

VII. Reference List (APA style)