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Scaffolding Outline of the Religious Controversy

In developing the OUTLINE you will submit for this assignment, research and draw upon TWO ONLINE SOURCES that further discuss and analyze your chosen controversy, examining both sides of the dispute.

Remember that your topic for this assignment is to be a RELIGIOUS controversy, or a controversy in which RELIGION plays a major role. Be sure, therefore, to focus upon the RELIGIOUS factors or aspects of your chosen controversy.

• If you choose to write about and take a stand on abortion, for instance, then be sure to include and address the RELIGIOUS elements or arguments for and against abortion; don’t focus merely on secular arguments or evidence alone. In other words, stay on topic!

Below is the OUTLINE FORMAT you must use for this assignment. Please format your submission in EXACTLY THIS WAY, i.e. structured as an actual OUTLINE (not as an essay). Clearly LABEL each section exactly as below, e.g. “I. Thesis Statement:“.

Note that the italicized parts of the outline below will be replaced by original work from you; please don’t repeat the italicized parts.

1. Thesis: Very briefly state your thesis (i.e., your claim, position, or “side”), immediately followed by your three main supporting points of evidence, all in just 1 or 2 very concise sentences. (What stance will you be taking? Which side of the controversy will you be supporting or defending? In brief, what three main points of evidence will you be using to support or justify your stance?)
2. Outline of Supporting Evidence (Three Main Points):
   1. State your first supporting point from your thesis statement here. Clearly explain how and why it supports your stated thesis claim or stance.
      1. Provide a specific example here that demonstrates or illustrates your first supporting point. In only 1–2 sentences, indicate the significance of this example (i.e., why and how this is relevant to your supporting point).
      2. Provide a direct quotation here (immediately followed by an in-text citation, in MLA format, identifying its source). In 1–2 sentences, explain the significance of the quotation (i.e., why and how this is relevant to your supporting point).
   2. State your second supporting point from your thesis here. Clearly explain how and why it supports your stated thesis claim or stance.
      1. Provide a specific example here that demonstrates or illustrates your second supporting point. In only 1–2 sentences, explain the significance of this example (i.e., why and how it is relevant to your supporting point).
      2. Provide a direct quotation here (immediately followed by anin-text citation, in MLA format, identifying its source). In only 1–2 sentences, explain the significance of the quotation (i.e., why and how this is relevant to your second supporting point).
   3. State your third supporting point from your thesis here. Clearly explain how and why it supports your stated thesis claim or stance.
      1. Provide a specific examplehere that demonstrates or illustrates your third supporting point. In only 1–2 sentences, explain the significance of this example (i.e., why and how it is relevant to your supporting point).
      2. Provide a direct quotation here (immediately followed by an in-text citation, in MLA format, identifying its source). In only 1–2 sentences, explain the significance of the quotation (i.e., why and how this is relevant to your third supporting point).
3. Bibliography: Provide standard bibliographic data, in MLA format, for both of your TWO online sources (your “Works Cited”).