English 2, Part 2
Assignment 2: Research Paper
Below is an outline that you can use to help you structure and organize your paper. Ideally, all of
your paragraphs should be 7-9 sentences.
• Introduction (4-7 sentences)
o Hook to capture your reader’s attention—direct quote, shocking fact or quote,
anecdote (1-2 sentences)
o Transition to thesis (1-2 sentences)
o Thesis statement that takes a stance regarding whether technology is enhancing OR
interfering with the human ability to connect. (1 sentence)
o Preview statement that lists the main ideas of your paper (brief history of human’s
relationship with technology, modern theory/social culture surrounding technology,
etc). (1-2 sentences)
Notes: Your thesis statement needs to be more detailed then “Technology is
distracting.”
• Body Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, and Paragraph 3—Strong reasons outlining how technology
interferes OR enhances- 1 reason per paragraph (7-9 sentences)
o Main idea/Topic sentence (1 sentence)
o Evidence from your sources (1 sentence)
o Analysis (explanation) of Textual evidence (2-3 sentences)
o Link textual evidence to topic sentence and thesis (3-5 sentences)
• Conclusion (5-9 sentences)
o Restate your thesis (1 sentence)
o Provide a commentary on the main ideas of your paper (3-5 sentences)
o Offer a final observation of your paper and leave the reader with a final impression of
how technology has impacted human ability to connect with one another. (2-3
sentences)