STEP NUMBER FOUR:
Write a rough outline
A rough outline for a five to seven page paper
might look something like this:
Thesis statement: Cigarette
smoking in public buildings poses a health hazard to the non-smoker, damages
public buildings, and is a violation of our constitutional right to life.
I. Health hazard to
non-smoker
A. Statistics on second-hand
smoke effects
B. Negative physical
effects
C. Negative mental effects
II. Damage to public buildings
A. Common smoke damage
B. Possible fire damage
C. Need for additional
maintenance staff
III. Non-smoker’s constitutional
right to life
A. Discussion of First
Amendment rights
B. Why health hazard
is a violation of rights
C. Why our rights must
be protected
Conclusion: Cigarette
smoking should be banned from all public buildings.
NOTE: The rough
outline is merely a rough map to help give you direction. Specific points
and sections may change as you begin to collect data. If you are unable
to write a rough outline, you may need to first read one or two short
articles or chapters on the subject. If possible, check your rough draft
outline with the Writing Lab.