The outline is the skeletal framework of your essay.  It is your map, your working plan.  It does not have to be very detailed, but you need to give it enough structure so that you can work with it.  Here is a general layout.

    I. Introduction:  Statement of Problem, what are you going to talk about, your goal.
 
    II. Background information
                A. This is where you put in geologic/geographic information, if appropriate
                B. This is where you put in historical context, if appropriate

    III. Methods
        This is where you put in the methodology used by the scientists (e.g., PCR, cladistic analysis, isotope analysis, accessing primary historical documents, etc.)

    IV. Results
        What happened-for some of you, this may involve a table w/figure, others, explanation of what was found, problems encountered in finding , etc.

    V. Discussion
        What does all this mean?  What is your opinion of what has happened here?  What major issues have emerged, been settled, etc.

    VI. Conclusion
           A conclusion usually includes a summary of the main points, issues, ideas, followed by your assessment of the problem, in the light of the points you have made.

    VII.  References
        Your list of references should be in alphabetical order by first author’s last name, and needs to be a full citation (e.g. authors, year, title of paper, journal, volume, page numbers).  For material that isn’t in journal article format, e.g. books, web pages, etc., see How to Write a Term Paper for this Class, and the Citation Information Links on our class web page.