Outlining from Notecards

Step One: Sort notecards by topic Remember the following: Your topics may need to be combined (too many topics) or sub-divided (too few topics) Aim for 6-8 topics. These topics will be formed into your body paragraphs. Try it!

Step two: Topic Sentence Outlines Remember the following: Aim for 8-10 topic sentences (you may need to sub-divide larger topics) Each topic sentence MUST directly relate to your thesis and prove your argument! Try it!

Notecard Topic = Napoleon’s younger years Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte’s political and militaristic prowess played a pivotal role in the stabilization and unification of France. Notecard Topic = Napoleon’s younger years Topic Sentence = During his early years, Napoleon Bonaparte learned the importance of strong and benevolent leadership.

Notecard Topic = France’s instability pre-Bonaparte Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte’s political and militaristic prowess played a pivotal role in the stabilization and unification of France. Notecard Topic = France’s instability pre-Bonaparte Topic Sentence = France suffered greatly during the years prior to Napoleon’s rise to power.

Notecard Topic = Militaristic and political strength Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte’s political and militaristic prowess played a pivotal role in the stabilization and unification of France. Notecard Topic = Militaristic and political strength Topic Sentence = Napoleon’s political and military prowess enabled his rapid rise to power.

Notecard Topic = positive militaristic changes Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte’s political and militaristic prowess played a pivotal role in the stabilization and unification of France. Notecard Topic = positive militaristic changes Topic Sentence = Under Napoleon’s leadership, the previously weakened France became the strongest military power of its day.

Notecard Topic = Positive social changes Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte’s political and militaristic prowess played a pivotal role in the stabilization and unification of France. Notecard Topic = Positive social changes Topic Sentence = Napoleon brought stability to the French people, which greatly strengthened the country as a whole.

What would my topic sentence outline look like? Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte’s political and militaristic prowess played a pivotal role in the stabilization and unification of France. During his early years, Napoleon Bonaparte learned the importance of strong and benevolent leadership. France suffered greatly during the years prior to Napoleon’s rise to power. Napoleon’s political and military prowess enabled his rapid rise to power. Under Napoleon’s leadership, the previously weakened France became the strongest military power of its day. Napoleon brought stability to the French people, which greatly strengthened the country as a whole.

Do not forget to proofread your sentences! They must be complete sentences in order to receive credit!

Step three: Body Paragraph Outlines To be continued…