Stage 3: Constructing an initial outline plan
The Academic Essay
Construct an initial plan to guide your research. This plan will be like a road map for what you read and note.
- Decide the general aspects of the question around which you'll concentrate your research.
- Ask yourself questions: who, what, when, how, what if… around these general aspects you have selected.
Model Outline Plan
| Topic: Discuss the impact of tertiary study on mature aged students. |
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Introduction: approximately 10% of total words
- What you interpret tertiary studies and mature aged to mean.
- A general (thesis) statement about type and size of the impact or effect of tertiary study on mature aged students.
- A statement of intent to include an outline of the areas you'll consider in assessing the impact.
For example: This essay will consider the financial, social and family impacts of tertiary studies on mature aged students.
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Body: approximately 80% of the total words
Organise your body paragraphs to include a main idea, which is then proven, developed or illustrated by research/evidence.
Main idea
Financial Impacts
- Loss of income
- HECS
- Austudy
Supporting information
home budget constraints
- Childcare costs
- Transport
- Textbooks
Main Idea
Social Impacts
- Loss of former peer group
- Fewer social opportunities outside university
- Social events within the university
Main Idea
Family Impacts
- Fewer opportunities for family time
- Change in household duties
- More rigid family routine
Conclusion: Approximately 10% of total words
- A restatement of your thesis about the type and size of the impacts of tertiary studies on mature aged students
- A comment on consequences and implications for life after university.
Click on the following links for information about the Stages of the Essay:
- Choose a Topic
- Analyse the Question
- Construct an Initial Outline Plan
- Locate and Evaluate Resources
- Research/ Organise Notes
- Construct a Final Essay Plan
- Prepare the Rough Draft
- Redraft and Edit
- Prepare the Final Draft
