Outline Template: Essay on Ted Bundy

I. Introduction

A. Alarming fact about Ted Bundy

B. Ted Bundy in a social and historical context

C. Thesis related to what has been learned from the Ted Bundy case or how the media handled the case

II. Body Paragraph: Biographical overview

A. Ted Bundy upbringing

B. The beginnings of violence

C. Warning signs that can be applied to other cases

III. Body Paragraph: The career of the serial murderer

A. Patterns of crime

B. Responses of law enforcement

IV. Body Paragraph: Ted Bundy in context

A. Media responses

B. Similarity to other cases

C. What can be learned

V. Conclusion

A. Learning from Ted Bundy

B. Is Ted Bundy a sign of the times?

Example Outline: Essay on Ted Bundy

I. A man who raped and murdered dozens of people becomes a celebrity as the story of Ted Bundy becomes a grim sign of the times.

A. Ted Bundy did show early warning signs that can be used to prevent future serial killers.

B. How Ted Bundy committed his crimes and the definition of psychopathy.

C. Morbid fascination with the Ted Bundy case has not subsided, but law enforcement has learned from this case.

II. Ted Bundy’s childhood leaves clues as to his psychosocial development.

A. Gender norms and roles prevented his mother from developing an intimate relationship with her son.

B. The early warning signs of his deviant behavior went unnoticed.

III. Ted Bundy took small steps towards becoming a killer early in his life.

A. Bundy seemed to take pleasure in his crimes.

B. There was a clear pattern to the women he selected to rape and murder.

IV. Because of the high profile nature of the case, law enforcement and members of the public have learned from Ted Bundy.

A. Serial killers often do have some type of trauma in their past, as did Ted Bundy

B. Most serial murderers are intelligent white males with low levels of empathy, like Ted Bundy.

C. Although media coverage might have turned Ted Bundy into a celebrity, the case did raise awareness about the dark side of human nature.

V. Conclusion: Preventing serial killers like Ted Bundy from getting away with their crimes.

A. Using the Bundy case to recognize warning signs.

B. Mobilizing the community and law enforcement to take action.

References

“Ted Bundy.” Biography. Retrieved from: https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/ted-bundy