Outline Template For Capstone Project: Literature Review & Analysis

Outline Template for Capstone Project: Literature Review & Analysis Point-by-point Organization Style

This might help you best envision what information and points go where. Please make sure to “fill in the blanks” with detailed information in full sentences, paying special attention to connections, transitions, and comparisons.

I. Introduction: a. Moves from general to specific concepts b. Focuses on the research as opposed to just the topic. c. Introduces how the topic is discussed in each discipline. d. Thesis statement: i. Specifically lays out how the topic is discussed in each discipline. ii. Additionally, may outline the specific “debate” or discussion within each discipline (i.e. The humanities, particularly the field of philosophy, approaches the issue of gun control as it regards ethicality. Specifically, one debate that several current philosophers engage in is whether gun control limits a fundamental human right.) iii. Additionally, may end with a sentence that “synthesizes” your (understandably long) thesis statement: “These respective discussions within each discipline contribute [beneficially interact, etc.] to create a more complete understanding of topic” II. Discipline 1: (Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences) a. Introduction to the debate within the field: follow what you did in project 3, part II. Introduce your scholars, their theories, how they conflict or how they work together to contribute a more total picture (“debate,” “discuss,” or “add bricks to the wall of knowledge”). b. Point A i. Claim about how each article handles point A (compare? Contrast? Evaluate?) ii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article A’s take on point A iii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article B’s take on point A iv. Compare, contrast, evaluate, conclude c. Point B i. Claim about how each article handles point B (compare? Contrast? Evaluate?) ii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article A’s take on point B iii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article B’s take on point B iv. Compare, contrast, evaluate, conclude d. Point C (if applicable; space constraints may ask that you cut point C) i. Claim about how each article handles point C (compare? Contrast? Evaluate?) ii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article A’s take on point C iii. Discuss (claim, evidence, analysis) article B’s take on point C iv. Compare, contrast, evaluate, conclude e. Contrast & evaluate (which makes a stronger claim, if applicable) f. Conclude III. Discipline 2: (Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences) a. Repeat structure for II. IV. Discipline 3: (Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences) a. Repeat structure for II. V. Conclusion a. Naturally rephrase thesis statement from introduction b. Naturally rephrase conclusions from each discipline c. Discuss how each discipline adds to the total picture of knowledge of a topic d. If applicable, evaluate the nature of the disciplines: which discipline excels at providing what elements to total knowledge. Which disciplines are most appropriate or relevant to a topic and which are not? Why?