In this whimsical assignment, you have the unique opportunity to create an outline for an essay with a delightfully absurd or grandiose premise. Your task is to develop an outline following the principles of paragraph construction we’ve discussed. Let your imagination run wild and have some fun with this assignment!
For this assignment, you will submit an outline for your imaginative essay (only the outline, not the actual essay). However, you do need to think through what ideas would make sense for your grand ideas which (even if they are silly or unlikely) should be reasonable (one idea should lead to another, even if the whole concept doesn’t really add up). Engage your readers and have fun!
We don’t need a specific outline format, although you can learn more about outline formats and get templates, if you like, at the OWL Purdue site. This should be submitted as a file, preferably in PDF format (or DOC format is acceptable). The pages should include MLA headings and page numbering; OWL Purdue has more information on that, too.
The topic sentence should be written out as a complete sentence. You may use full sentences throughout the rest of the outline, although incomplete sentences are fine throughout the rest of the outline. Please note that your outlined points should include specific details; vague phrasing that might apply to any other essay is not acceptable.
Vague Generalities (bad):
Main point.
A. Supporting point one.
a. Explanation of supporting point one.
B. Supporting point two…
Specific Details (good):
Eliminating global warming by having everyone in the northern hemisphere jump up and down at the same time every day.
Explain that this will shift the Earth into a cooler, further orbit.
Support that with an estimate of how much everyone in the northern hemisphere weighs.
Finish the paragraph by writing that, even if it doesn’t work, we could all use the exercise, given our average weights!
In terms of the outline format, for our purposes, don’t worry too much about the numbering patterns that many outlining systems use. Indenting the subordinate points (use the [Tab] key) should be fine (or, you could use the “increase indent,” numbered list, or bullet list buttons in the toolbar, if you like).
Choose Your Premise (Topic Sentence)
Begin by selecting an utterly outrageous or wildly grandiose topic for your essay. This will be your “topic sentence” or the central idea you want to explore. Your premise can be humorous, fantastical, or just plain silly. Here are a few examples to inspire you:
- Example 1: Topic Sentence: “In a world where socks mysteriously disappear from laundry baskets, I embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind the sock-stealing gnomes.”
- Example 2: Topic Sentence: “As a gourmet chef in training, I set out on an epic culinary adventure to create the world’s most absurdly delicious sandwich.”
- Example 3: Topic Sentence: “Armed with a magical hairbrush, I embark on a mission to bring an end to bad hair days worldwide.”
Develop Your Supporting Details (Supporting Sentences)
Now, let’s flesh out your topic sentence with supporting details. These will be the paragraphs that elaborate on your grand adventure or absurd premise. You can choose to include as many supporting sentences as you like, but let’s aim for at least three. Each supporting sentence should add depth and context to your essay.
Example 1: Supporting Sentences
1. “In my quest for sock-stealing gnomes, I’ll travel through the perilous forests of mismatched socks and navigate the treacherous rivers of lint traps.”
2. “Along the way, I’ll form an alliance with the elusive Laundry Fairy, who holds the key to unraveling this socky mystery.”
3. “As I confront the sock-stealing gnomes in their underground lair, I’ll uncover a shocking truth about the secret lives of laundry-dwelling creatures.”
Maintain Coherence (Transitional Phrases)
To maintain coherence in your essay, use transitional phrases to guide your reader from one wild adventure to the next. These phrases will ensure that your essay flows smoothly from one paragraph to the next.
Nowadays, writers seem to be using shorter and shorter transitional phrases. Still, a good transition acknowledges what happened earlier while introducing that something new is about to happen.
Here are some transition phrases to consider:
• As I embarked on my quest…
• Moving forward in my culinary adventure…
• With my magical hairbrush in hand…
Outline Your Imaginative Essay
Now that you’ve brainstormed your topic sentence and supporting details, create a brief outline of your essay using Roman numerals and letters. Your outline should give a clear picture of how your essay will flow. Here’s a simple template to get you started:
- Introduction (Introduce your absurd or grandiose premise) A. Hook the reader with a captivating opening. B. Present your topic sentence.
- The Adventure Begins (First supporting paragraph) A. Develop the first detail of your adventure. B. Transition smoothly to the next adventure detail.
- The Unlikely Allies (Second supporting paragraph) A. Introduce the next phase of your adventure. B. Connect this phase to the previous one.
The Epic Conclusion (Third supporting paragraph)
A. Bring your grand adventure to an entertaining climax.
B. Summarize your findings or discoveries.
Conclusion (Wrap up your essay)
A. Reflect on the absurdity or grandeur of your adventure.
B. Leave your reader with a memorable closing thought.
Have Fun Writing Your Grand Adventure!
Let your creativity soar as you draft your Imaginative Essay. Remember, the goal is to enjoy the writing process while applying the principles of paragraph construction.
