How do I make a general outline for a 12-15 pages paper.

Assignment: Focus on a critical issue related to the novel, research the issue, and write a 12-15 page essay voicing your opinion in the critical conversation. Narrow down your argument to a thesis. To prove your argument/thesis, you will need to use support from the novel itself and from your secondary sources.

I'm trying to write this paper now, but I find it hard to write without an outline. Unlike a short paper, I can't just write an introduction, then 2-3 points of interest, and end the paper with a conclusion.

Have you decided on a novel yet? or a theme? Whats your favorite story? you can use anything

01- Harrypotter,Lord of the rings - trust/friendship/hardships/good vs evil

you could use the famous "The woods are lovely dark and deep; and i have promises to keep; and miles to go before i sleep; and mile to go before i sleep" for this...It would blend in perfectly.

02- Twilight series - love, differences

You could highlight how its taboo for many races and cultures to marry outside their sect or whatever and how its forbidden.cool way to defend that using this book.

03- Shining - Complexes taking over ones self

04- IT - Fear and what it can do to you

Moving on to serious topics u can discuss

05- The good earth - living conditions, hardships
06- Million little pieces - a single mans struggle to cure himself
07- 100 years of solitude - A lot to discuss...Too broad a specturm...Excellent for longer essays

or perhaps something religious

08- History of God - a comparative study of religions
09- Quest for God

lastly it could be philosophy

10- Sophies world - Excellent for discussions
11- Through a glass, Darkly - Life and death
12 - Solitire mystery - Pertaining to life

The ones highlighted are excellent for discussion. If you are somewhere in your highschool, you should go with fiction but then its your choice.

Good ideas here.

I HATE trying to write an outline before doing the research. If it is a subject I know well, I can, but if I do not know the subject well I must do the research first and write some paragraphs, citing writers as I go along. THEN, I will be qualified to write an outline.

If you have not done the research yet, you can make a general outline, like this:

I. Overview of the Central Issue
II. Secondary Issues Related to the central Issue
III. Opposing Views about this Issue
IV. Insights from [name of novel]
V. Conclusion

really, though, the best thing to do is write several sections and build an outline around it.

:-)