2 page outline for upcoming paper
Topic: How have the theories of Antoine Henri Jomini influenced warfare since 1815? In your conclusion, suggest the significance to today’s military professional
Feedback from Outline will then be used to create a 5 page essay which I will submit a separate order for
Instructions:
Only use provided reference material. Most articles are in the file named “Combined syllabus of readings that can be referenced”. My Computer based instruction notes can be referenced as well
Detailed instructions in file named “Instructions H100_Writing_Reference_Materials_AY20-21_final” and Annex C on page 13 for the outline
Annex C
Creating a Sentence Outline
It has been more than a few years since you have written a formal paper in an academic setting. In your former jobs, you focused on accomplishing the mission in front of you. Yet, in the next ten years of your career, you will be placed in positions where your ability to write and to articulate your ideas clearly are the most important skills you possess. The sentence outline is a tool to improve not only your writing, but to assess your thoughts and logic. If clear writing is a reflection of clear thinking, then the outline should allow you to test the clarity of your thinking.
The rationale for a sentence outline is clear. The Army standard defines good writing as “understandable in a single, rapid reading and generally free of errors in grammar, mechanics, and usage.” By forcing yourself to evaluate your argument and to summarize its main points in a one-page sentence outline, you will focus on those key elements that compose your essay’s component parts. The sentence outline also forces you to judge whether you are attempting to cover too much in your argument, and whether you should reduce your scope, reorder the paragraphs, or add additional points in order to argue your case. If properly done, each sentence in the outline becomes a topic sentence for a paragraph. By expanding the work you have already done, you create your essay.
A sentence outline can save time. Thus, the actual writing should be both easier and better since you have put thought into the structure. Another advantage is that by submitting a sentence outline, your grader (a DDE History faculty member) can understand your logic and thought process, and give you guidance before you commit to the writing stage.
A few cautions: Writing a sentence outline does require you to know your subject and have a fully developed thesis. A good outline does not guarantee a good paper. However, you can deal with problems with analysis, logic, and organization early, while problems with grammar or prose may become clear only when you write your paper.
The elements of a sentence outline follow on the next pages.
Sample:
1. How have the theories of Antoine Henri Jomini influenced warfare since 1815? Use evidence from H100 (the Western Way of War) to support your argument. In your conclusion, suggest the significance to today’s military professional. Always be specific and use Annex C (sentence outline example)
I. Introduction
A. Attention sentence: Recommend you open with a short, clear purpose sentence tied to your argument, and use short sentences 15 or fewer words.
B. Thesis: state one theoriest, what they did and then describe which theories you will argue.
C. Major points supporting the thesis: Write a sentence that introduces the major points of evidence that support your thesis. Spell out which theories you plan to argue.
II. Major Point 1 Topic Sentence- a broad statement of your argument for this paragraph.
A. Supporting evidence written in a complete sentence. State the specific theory you intend to argue
B. Supporting evidence written in a complete sentence. Describe where in Large Scale Combat Operations this theory is applied successfully (ex. a battle, policy or doctrine) BE SPECIFIC
III. Major Point 2 Topic Sentence- a broad statement of your argument for this paragraph.
A. Supporting evidence written in a complete sentence. State the specific theory you intend to argue.
B. Supporting evidence written in a complete sentence. Describe where in Large Scale Combat Operations this theory is applied successfully. (ex. a battle, policy or doctrine) BE SPECIFIC
IV. Major Point 3 Topic Sentence-a broad statement of your argument for this paragraph
A. Supporting evidence written in a complete sentence. State the specific theory you intend to argue
B. Supporting evidence written in a complete sentence. Describe where in Large Scale Combat Operations this theory is applied successfully. (ex. a battle, policy or doctrine) BE SPECIFIC
V. Conclusion: Restate the thesis and revisit your main points. This is where you mention why your argument is significant for today’s military professional (do not introduce new elements of your argument).
EXAMPLE OF SENTENCE OUTLINE
THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE TO SHOW A SUCCINCT OULINE
QUESTION: What caused the downfall of the Napoleonic Empire?
I. Introduction
A. Attention step: Despite being one of the greatest generals of the modern era, Napoleon could not make a lasting peace using military action.
B. Thesis: Napoleon lost his empire because he failed to understand the limits of military power, the enormous social and financial costs of the wars, and the eventual coordination of his enemies against him.
II. French military power failed to create the conditions for a permanent political settlement.
A. Before the war, Britain was an untouchable enemy because the French army could not directly strike at Great Britain due to the weakness of the French navy.
B. In the Iberian Peninsula, Spanish peasants refused to recognize French authority, and supported by Britain, fought a bloody and debilitating guerrilla war for six years.
III. Napoleon failed to understand the social and financial costs to France of his military exploits.
A. Without understanding economics, The financial strain of the Continental System created a black market economy that undermined Napoleon’s rule and denied him valuable revenue.
B. After twenty-five years of near constant warfare, the French people no longer supported Napoleon’s aggressive foreign policy during the 1813–14 campaigns.
IV. Ultimately, Napoleon’s opponents coordinated their political and military activities, denying him the ability to “divide and conquer.”
A. Austria, Russia, and Prussia reformed their armies along the French model, removing much of the asymmetry that had previously existed.
B. In 1813–14, the Allies formed a more solid coalition with a headquarters directing military operations that synchronized the military and political response to Napoleon.
V. Conclusion: While Napoleon was able to achieve great success early in his reign, in the end he faced a grim defeat. By focusing only on military action instead of including the other elements of national power, paying for the burden of extensive and brutal war, and underestimating the abilities of his enemies to adapt and adopt, Napoleon lost his empire. Lessons learned from the Napoleonic era encourage future military officers to consider limitations as well as capabilities, and to include all elements of national power in the development of strategy: diplomacy, information or intelligence, military action, and economics (DIME).
Key Guidance for the Sentence Outline:
• First – review ST 22-2 – this refrence will help you understand the academic writing style needed for CGSC
• Second: Use the naming convention for your documents:
smith_john_H100_outline.doc
• DO NOT complete the essay before the outline – this only leads to heartbreak in most cases.
• Understand the structure of an essay – introduction, main body, and conclusion.
• Each sentence will become the “topic sentence” of the paragraph and usually appears as the first sentence of a paragraph when you expand the outline into your paper.
• Use complete sentences (subject, verb, complement) that communicate full thoughts.
• Organize the sentences to construct a coherent argument leading to your paper’s conclusion.
• One sentence per idea – don’t simply put an entire essay in outline form.
• Single-space the sentences in the outline; double-space between paragraphs.
• For academic writing, use third person and active voice.
• Seek help early if you are not understanding – the DDE History staff are trained historians and CGSC graduates – we are here to help you succeed.
• Times New Roman, 12-point font is standard for formal history paper submissions
