Tutor profile: Elizabeth H.

How do you outline a paper appropriately? What role does the thesis statement have in determining the structure?

A paper is broken down into three main sections, but contains many subsections–depending on the assignment at hand. The three main sections include the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The body of the paper will support the majority of the paper and the paper's findings. Before starting the paper, you must determine your outline. First off, write down your title. This will serve as the primary header. Then, consider the main topics you must address to successfully make your point. Write these down as your secondary headers. Next, consider the building blocks of your argument. Does one section build upon another to make a point? If so, order the topics logically as if you were explaining the concept to a friend. Do any of the headers contain sub-points that must be made? If yes, create tertiary headers underneath to provide the reader with a clear structure. By the time you reach the conclusion the point should be thoroughly made. The conclusion should serve as a secondary header. Consider the simplistic example below: Making Mac n' Cheese (Primary header) *Intro and thesis* What You Will Need (Secondary header) Directions for Cooking (Secondary header) How to Boil Water (Tertiary header) How to Tell if It's Cooked (Tertiary header) How to Drain the Pasta and Mix in Cheese (Tertiary header) Enjoy Your Mac! (Secondary header and conclusion) Now that you know your structure, you can write the thesis. The thesis statement prepares the reader for what they are about to read. That means, the thesis should provide an explanation of the content and list the main points of the paper (usually the secondary headers). With the outline available and the thesis written, you're now equipped to write your paper.

What is the value of symbolism in literature? In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, how is the letter "A" used as symbolism and what does this symbol say about the expectations and worth of women in the novel?

Symbolism is a critical literary device in many novels. They provide extra layers of meaning within the text and point the reader toward a larger theme. In The Scarlet Letter, the letter "A" is used to identify women as adulteresses. Hester must wear this letter on her chest wherever she goes as an outward symbol of her inward shame. Set in Puritan America, extra-marital affairs were strictly forbidden–especially for women. While Hester is condemned to isolation and ridicule, her lover receives no such public punishment. Hawthorne's portrayal of Hester's treatment alludes to greater questions regarding gender equality. While one standard of conduct was given to women, a different standard was allotted for men. This double standard reveals a low view of women in the novel and encourages the reader to consider the similarities and differences of Hester's position in society to women's position today.

For the two types of messages below, identify what medium should be used to communicate the message and the potential consequences if the message is communicated poorly: 1. Organizational remorse over controversial actions 2. Organizational mission statement and purpose

1. Organizational remorse over controversial actions must be addressed with both internal and external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders should receive an email and ask that concerns be brought to their manager. External stakeholders can be reached by email as well but greater lengths must be used to restore public image. The Public Relations team must be called upon for reputation management. They can use press releases as well as interviews to express their remorse. If this is not communicated well, the consequences can be vast. Employee turnover may increase and external stakeholders may cease their affiliation with the company. Sincere regret must be communicated as well as a willingness to take responsibility for their actions. 2. The purpose of an organization must be clearly stated and embodied throughout the organization's leadership in order to be effective. It should be posted on the website so all stakeholders are aware of the purpose. Furthermore, it should be told in narratives throughout the company. The managers and leaders should embody the mission statement and talk about it frequently in meetings. For external audiences, the mission should also be present on branded print collateral and advertising. If communicated poorly internally, the employees will be fractured from the mission of the organization and may lose motivation. If communicated poorly to external audiences, the organization misses out on buy-in from similar mission-minded individuals.