The document provides instructions on how to write an outline for a debate arguing that the United States should prioritize reducing carbon emissions over economic growth (PRO side). It emphasizes that an outline should present the main arguments and supporting evidence in a logical order. Students are instructed to identify their strongest main ideas and use facts from at least three research packets to support each main idea in their outline. Citations are required for any facts or evidence used. The first draft of the PRO outline is due next week.

1. How to Outline
TO DO: PRO Outline
YOU NEED: Blue Outlining Notes Sheet
HOMEWORK: Start PRO Outline—First draft due next week
on Day 2 (Feb 3rd
or 4th
)

2. Use Brainpop here!
Tim and Moby learn about outlining!

3. Writing the PRO Outline
Resolved: The United States
SHOULD prioritize reducing
carbon emissions over
economic growth.

4. What is an outline?
 A skeleton draft of your paper.
 Presents the main arguments (or main
ideas) you are going to make in each
paragraph or section of the essay.
 Includes the facts or details you
researched that you will use to support
your main arguments (Citations are
MANDATORY!)

5. Purpose of an Outline
 To help you ORGANIZE your thoughts
and THINK through your writing
BEFORE you write!

6. Traits of a Good Outline
 It’s logical.
 It uses sentences, not phrases.
 It contains accurate citations.
 The best points are either first or last.
GOOD BONES!

7. The key to writing a good essay
is making sure that you have
excellent MAIN IDEAS
for each body paragraph.

8. Building Blocks of your Essay:
Strong Main Ideas

9. Main Idea = Debate Argument
The main idea of your body paragraph:
an argument that can be supported
by evidence.
 It is not evidence itself (fact/quote).
 It is not a topic.
 It is not a quotation!!

10. Which is the strong main
idea?
 1. The ocean is often referred to as a carbon
sink.
 2. Some of our electricity comes from the
burning of coal.
 3. Reducing carbon emissions will help
prevent additional global warming due to the
greenhouse effect.
 4. CO2= a greenhouse gas.

11. Which is the strong main
idea?
 1. President Obama has increased conversations
with China.
 2. Given the heavy pollution produced by
developing countries, a reduction in US carbon
emissions will not produce a noticeable global
impact, but will instead create noticeable economic
hardship here at home.
 3. How do we define global warming?
 4. Anthropogenic = man-made.

12. Which is the strong main
idea?
 1. Carbon Emissions.
 2. President Bush was in a tough political
situation when he had to decide whether or
not to support the Kyoto Protocol.
 3. Man-made emissions increased
dramatically in the 20th
century.
 4. A reduction in carbon emissions is
needed to prevent a major increase in
extreme weather events.

13. Why Cite Your Sources?
 Gives credibility and authority to your
arguments (think: expert testimony).
 Helps other researchers verify your
work.
 Helps you to avoid plagiarism and make
sure that you are giving credit where it
is due.

14. Outline Citations

Parenthetical citation: citation in parenthesis
 It is required for facts listed on the outline.
 We use MLA format.
What goes in the parenthesis?
1st
choice: Author’s last name
2nd
choice: If no author is listed, default to short
version of title.

15. Authored Article:
(Gillis) or (Eilperin & Mufson)
Un-Authored Article:
First 3 words of title only: (“United States: Climate”)
Interview or Speaker:
(Brower)
Book:
(Bergen 17)
What goes in the parenthesis?

16. Brainstorming CON Arguments
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:

17. Outline #1
You are going to write your PRO Outline
first. You will write reasons supporting
the resolution below:
The United States SHOULD
prioritize reducing carbon
emissions over economic growth.

18. Process
1. Find all of your PRO/both packets.
2. Identify the best 3 main ideas to use to
support the resolution.
3. PRO outline must use facts from at
least 3 note packets, including at least
one from the speaker.
4. Access the template on Blackboard.

19. Brainstorming CON Arguments
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail:
Supporting
Detail: