Bennett 1
The Big Question Outline
Parenthetical Documentation and a Works Cited Page MUST be present. There must be at least one source parenthetically documented in each body paragraph.
Must be typed in TNR 12 point font. **This document is in 11 point font. Only the introduction and conclusion must be written in paragraph form and in complete sentences.
Avoid generalizing about your issue. Use specific evidence.
Title:
I. Introduction: (Write in complete sentences and paragraph form)
· Begin with a hook to engage your reader. (If you use a quote here, do not forget to document!)
· Connect your hook to your topic.
· Fully address what the issue is and explain why it is pertinent.
· End with a thesis statement
II. The Body
Body Paragraphs (Part 1) – (Unbiased and Informative)
A. Background Information/Introduce Question and Answers
1. History of the issue
2. Extent of the issue (who is affected; how important it is, etc.).
3. Repercussion of the issue if not addressed.
B. Answer 1 (Unbiased and Informative)
1. Background on Answer
2. Evidence to support answer
3. Evidence to support answer
C. Answer 2 (Unbiased and Informative)
1. Background
2. Evidence to support answer
3. Evidence to support answer
D. Answer 3 (Unbiased and Informative)
1. Background
2. Evidence to support answer
3. Evidence to support answer
E. BEST ANSWER OF THE 3 LISTED ABOVE: (Argumentative)
1. Establish your position and claim (which answer, or combination of answers, are the best for right now?).
2. Qualify and support your claim using argumentative techniques (ethos, logo, pathos) and rhetorical devices (rhetorical question, antithesis, repetition, etc.)- Do this in your first draft; not required
in outline.
3. Anticipate objections and make concessions* (*the admitting of a point claimed in argument).
**For this paragraph, CONNECT TO RESEARCH and DO NOT MERELY REPEAT information already used in previous paragraphs.
III. Conclusion (Write in complete sentences and paragraph form)
A. Restatement of thesis
B. Final thoughts
Student Name
Ms. Bennett
English III Honors
3 December 2014
Gender Inequality and the “Glass Ceiling”
I. Introduction: (Write in complete sentences and paragraph form)
A. Hook: “Women working full time earn a median monthly salary of $2,665 compared to the $3,289 earned by men. That's a difference of $624 a month or $7,488 a year” (Lee 2).
B. Link: Even though it is the 21st century, America is still not treating women and men equally in the workplace.
C. Thesis: Gender inequality is a very common problem in American businesses today. (Initial “Big Question:” In what ways is gender inequality still present in American society today?)
II. The Body
Body Paragraphs (Part 1) – (Unbiased and Informative)
A. Background Information/Introduce Question and Answers
1. Women have made vast improvements over the course of fifteen years (mid 1970s-1990s) in achieving equal pay with men.
2. The Women’s Rights Movement of the 1970s was a catalyst for this change.
3. Unfortunately, this progress slowed and then came to a halt in the 1990s, except for a few exceptions. (Lee 1)
a. Madeline Albright,
b. Condoleezza Rice,
c. Nancy Pelosi
B. Answer 1: According to statistics by the U.S. Department of Labor, for every $1 a man makes, a woman earns $.81 for the same job (Lee 1).
1. Salary gap over the past 50 years
2. Women have to work approximately 60 extra days, or about three months, to
earn what men did by the end of the previous year
3. (Additional evidence to support answer)
C. Answer 2: Women have a difficult time finding a balance between home and office because of unequal expectations for women in the home.
1. “Housewife” expectations and their origin (1950s)
2. Women have two jobs: one in the workplace and one at home.
3. Most women are expected to be the primary caregiver.
D. Answer 3: Sexual harassment and unfair treatment
1. Background on sexual harassment/examples of sexual harassment
2. Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite Co.
3. David Letterman
E. BEST ANSWER OF THE 3 LISTED ABOVE: (Argumentative) Difficulty finding balance between home and office.
1. “The economic and cultural obstacles standing in the way of equal treatment for women in the workforce are formidable” (Waber)
2. The “whole person” needs to be a focus in the workplace for both women and men. The result would be a better balance between working and spending time with family, friends, and their community. (Waber)
3. Repercussion of gender inequality if not resolved
a) Will affect how well the world will function (not just affecting America)
b) Will affect the home (husband/wife relationship)
III. Conclusion (Write in complete sentences and paragraph form)
A. Gender inequality is infecting businesses in America today.
B. Even with the major strides that have been made over time, women are still
fighting to show that they are equal to men.
C. “The improvement of gender relations became the goal of the abused, the concerned, and the enlightened. People have always delegated tasks depending on the physical and emotional characteristics of men and women. Therefore, the delegation of tasks is as flimsy as a child's dreams. The modern world is brave and defiant. A critical mind is the answer to the sufferings and limitations of people. There can be no brilliant movement without the aim for the good and the just” (Gender Equality in Business 1) –will shorten direct quote in 1st draft