Outlining

Remember the five paragraph essays we’ve been working on this year? Well, the organization of this research paper is going to be similar to those essays. You can make your writing process easier if you follow the suggested outline below.

I. Introduction

A. Begin with a broad generalization concerning your selected topic.

Example: While controversy regarding the teaching of evolution continues to this day, one event stands out in the minds of most Americans as the turning point of this debate.

B. Identify the reason you selected this particular topic to research.

Example: After seeing a television special about the Scopes Monkey Trial, I became intrigued with the fact that over eighty years later, the tension sparked by this topic has yet to reach a satisfactory resolution.

C. Finish with your thesis statement

Example: When John Scopes challenged the Butler Act, the result was not simply a legal decision. Rather, he brought to light the essential social conflict between those Americans who value tradition and those who desire progress.

II. Conflict (What was the basis of the conflict? Who were the key players? Why did the conflict occur?

A. Definition

1. Increase in conflict between scientists and theologists with publication of Darwin’s books in 1859 and 1871

2. Still, prior to 1925 most believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible’s version of creation

3. Scopes trial - 1925

B. Key individuals/groups

1. Fundamentalists

2. Creationists

a. William Jennings Bryan

b. George M. Price

3. Evolutionists

a. Charles Darwin

b. John Scopes

c. Clarence Darrow

C. Contributing Factors

1. Increase in scientific knowledge, especially geologic

2. Some members of the clergy found evolution compatible with creationism; others did not

3. Tennessee law - Butler Act

III. Compromise (What options existed for an end to the conflict? What didn’t work? What ultimately did?)

A. Potential compromise suggestions

1. Teach both evolution theories and creationism

2. Remain silent in public schools regarding either theory

3. Teach about evolution except for with regard to humans

B. Failures

1. Media distortion of beliefs

2. Humiliation of many religious figures

C. Successes

1. Scopes technically lost, but won in the eyes of many

2. Increased push toward modernism in American society

IV. Historical Impact (Detail the historical impact that this conflict had at the time as well as in today’s world)

A. Immediate impact

1. Fundamentalists

2. Creationists

a. William Jennings Bryan –died five days after verdict in trial

b. George M. Price -

3. Evolutionists

a. John Scopes –never taught again; continued to oppose the law

b. Clarence Darrow – basically retired after the trial

B. Later impact

1. 1960s - public schools began to teach evolution

2. 1968 - U.S. Supreme Court ruled laws like the Butler Act unconstitutional

3. Fundamentalists propose laws making creationism a required subject where evolution was being taught during 1970s and 1980s

4. Intelligent design

V. Conclusion

A. Restate your thesis statement.

B. Reflect upon how your research supported your thesis.

A rudimentary outline of your topic is due to me on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.