Child Abuse Essay

Introduction

A child abuse essay outline should focus on identifying the main purpose of the essay in the outline’s introduction.  The main purpose can best be stated at the end of the introduction, which is where you will typically find an essay’s thesis statement.  Once you have plugged that in to your essay outline template, you can walk backwards by indicating the main points that support your thesis.  Then plug in a “hook”—a neat little fact or anecdote that will get the reader’s attention.

Each successive section of the outline will build off your thesis statement and reinforce it with supporting details.  Three or more paragraphs of supporting evidence should suffice to bear out the merits of your thesis.  See our template and example outline below for more ideas!

Child Abuse Essay Outline Template

I. Introduction

a. Pose a problem to the reader that is particularly evocative relating to child abuse.  This is the “hook” statement designed to catch the reader’s attention.  

b. Move from the “hook” to the material you will cover in your essay, highlighting the main points.

c. These highlighted points should all serve to support your thesis statement, which now comes at the end of the opening paragraph.  Place it here to tell your reader the purpose of your essay.

II. First Supporting Paragraph

a. Start the first body paragraph with a main idea—this will be the topic sentence of your first point that supports your thesis.

b. Following the topic sentence, include details that explain and expand upon that topic so that the reader has a fuller idea of the point.

c. Close out the paragraph by anticipating the next topic that you will cover in the next body paragraph.

III. Second Supporting Paragraph

a. Same as the first paragraph, begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph.

b. Support the topic sentence with similarly relevant information.

c. Use a transition statement to prepare the reader for the next supporting paragraph.

IV. Third  Supporting Paragraph

a. This is usually the last body paragraph and is where the writer puts his strongest point to support the thesis.

b. Flesh out the topic with important details that convince the reader of your main point.

c. Prepare the reader for the upcoming conclusion, which should follow.

V. Conclusion

a. Show why your main thesis is correct by stating it one more time and supporting it with a highlight of the main points of the essay.

b. Give the reader an additional reason to consider why this subject matters.

c. Conclude with a parting thought.

Child Abuse Essay Outline Example

I. Introduction

a. Child abuse is a problem that impacts millions of kids in America, with 5 children dying each day from some form of abuse (American SPCC, 2020).

b. It is crucial that this country address the problem of child abuse by focusing on restoring the moral fabric of the nation.  That means eliminating all corrupting influences from media and promoting family values in schools, organizations and communities.

c. Child abuse occurs because family values have been lost in America and child abuse will not stop until American families have had their moral character restored.

II. First Supporting Paragraph

a. Plato is the ancient philosopher who was very concerned that rulers not permit corrupting influences in society (Corruption, 2018).

b. Corrupting influences undermine the legitimacy of family values, without which families cannot succeed in their mission to raise children.

c. Family values have to be supported by society if society wants to stop child abuse.

III. Second Supporting Paragraph

a. Families are the building block of society.

b. Parents who endanger their children do so because they no longer have a sense of how to be that building block.

c. Parents need to be re-educated on how to be good parents and the next generation also needs to be prepared now so that they do not make the same mistakes.

IV. Third  Supporting Paragraph

a. Media is not the only place where positive family values need to be reinforced; schools and organizations also need to reflect those values.