One strategy for making sure a paper is strong is the construction of an informal outline. It is not necessary to get involved with elaborate systems of Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, etc. You can help a student writer complete the following simple steps.

2. List the supporting points. These points will become the topic sentences in the body paragraphs of the essay.

• Make sure points are parallel grammatically

• Make sure each supporting point has the same relationship to the thesis

3. Indicate how each supporting statement will be developed or proved

• Examples

• Illustrations

• Anecdotes or narratives

• Comparisons or contrasts

• Definitions

• Descriptions

• Quotations

• Paraphrases of researched source material

A sample outline might look like this:

Thesis: The cultural change from home to college is often the biggest challenge a resident freshman faces. 

(The relationship between the thesis and the supports in the case of this topic is a "because" relationship.  This cultural change is the biggest challenge BECAUSE...)

Support Statement (Topic Sentence) #1: She loses her private room.                           

Example: specific details about dorm room, roommate, closet and dresser space, etc.

Support Statement (Topic Sentence) #2: She has to eat cafeteria food.            

Example: specific descriptions of cafeteria and typical menus

Support Statement  (Topic Sentence) #3: She is on her own to make decisions about every facet of her life.

Example: list and describe items and situations that demand her attention time management to money to choice of companions