The progression of both the General and Detailed Outlines is intended to get you thinking AND RESEARCHING your topics early, thus not allowing you to procrastinate.
If you follow this method, it will make the writing of the research paper an easy and rewarding experience, rather than the 72 sleep deprivation marathon that many students traditionally choose.
Note that the sub-points (IA, IB, IIA, etc) are written in a dynamic manner – rather than a static manner. Action verbs imply the sense of an active argument which you are creating, rather than a simple noun phrase which just sits there. His Works, for example just sits there and doesnt give a sense of what you intend to do with that part of the paper.
Also note that this paper is a LITERARY CRITICISM that means that you are analyzing the body of work that an author has created and argue which parts of it are influential in the evolution of theatre.
So, your analysis should include (but not be limited to) such main points as: themes, literary devices used, new drama theories, important people/things that influenced the writer, important people who were influenced by the writer, how the public responded to the writers work.
Your analysis should NOT include such areas as:
Their Works that is the reason the author is important and you are studying him or her.
Their Life remember this is not a biography where an author grew up, what their family was like, what other jobs they had – are NOT important unless they had a substantial impact on the literature they wrote.
Their Awards this is only the product of the writers prowess. Listing awards has nothing to do with analyzing what they wrote!
General Outline
You only need to have your three main areas of analysis and your two primary supporting areas under each. For this exercise, we will use Sophocles:
Sophocles
Thesis: Sophocles remains one of the most important playwrights of all time because he utilized innovative staging techniques, meticulously explored the basic essence of the human condition, and highlighted social events in Athens through his literature. (note that the thesis statement is only the three main points of the paper which have been condensed to one complete sentence or roadmap)
I. Utilized innovative staging techniques to increase the dramatic impact of his tragedies
A. Incorporated scene painting to heighten drama and allow for change of venue
B. Increased the role of the chorus to facilitate more robust stasimon
II. Explored the human condition by creating characters with complex emotions and psychological motivation
A. Added the third actor to increase the opportunity for multiple character discussions and confrontation
B. Illustrated through his characters that the events that unfold around characters impacted their motivations and beliefs.
III. Highlighted the social challenges, events, and trends in Athens through his literature
A. Delved into such socially-cohesive traits of forgiveness and the folly of excessive pride when Athens was at peace.
B. Examined the mistakes of Athens during Peloponnesian War through his last plays.
