Topic-Sentence Outline Example
I. Introduction
Thesis statement: Coloradans’ unique culture is diverse in thought and practice and is
defined by their environment, particularly the Rocky Mountains.
(A thesis statement is the topic-sentence for the paper and should tell the reader where the
author is going to take them.)
II. Institutions: Information about Colorado’s institutions of government, higher education,
and family demonstrate what is important to Coloradan culture.
A. Structure of state government similar to U.S. government.
1. State budget big issue; transparency important
2. Many third parties – possible Coloradans upset with system
a. Green party – environmental
b. American Constitution Party – state sovereignty
B. Has 29 public colleges and universities…concealed carry allowed on them.
C. Structure of family, etc.
1. Divorce: 4.3 per 1000 (96 marriages and 56 divorces per day)
2. No homosexual marriage
a. Issue made it to referendum, did not pass
b. Homosexuals can adopt
III. Arts: Coloradans may have a uniquely extreme political spectrum, but they still share
a love for all kinds of the arts.
A. Fine art examples: art museum
B. Performing art examples:
1. Scores of live theaters
Topic-Sentence Outline Example
2. State support of arts
C. Unique Architecture: Denver art museum
IV. Language: While most Coloradans speak English in the home, their unique
vocabulary demonstrates their love for the outdoors and their environment.
A. 85% English only
B. 10.5% Spanish
C. Slang/unique words:
1. Lilly-dipper: someone who handles a paddle weakly (white water)
2. 14er: a mountain over 14,000 feet
V. Recreation: Coloradans exhibit an intense love for the outdoors and fitness in their
recreation.
A. Outdoor life:
1. hiking and mountain climbing: 14ers
2. biking
3. skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing
4. white-water rafting
B. Fitness: all the above are active, but they like to do more!
1. Bolder Boulder 10k race
2. spas, mountain – hot springs
3. Colorado the leanest state
C. Celebration: beer
1. home of Coors
2. large Anheiser-Busch plant
Topic-Sentence Outline Example
3. many local breweries
VI. Environment: Colorado’s environment is dominated by the Rocky Mountains.
A. Mountains: make the weather and the recreation
1. Semi-arid on east side
2. provide place for recreation (skiing, hiking, climbing, etc.)
B. Plains: home of extensive agriculture
1. must irrigate many portions
2. cattle
3. dry-land wheat
C. State of emergency in South and Western Colorado b/c crops killed by
frost…weather unpredictable (happened in August, 2010!)
D. Lack of water for growing cities
1. reservoirs…controversial
2. water pumped from wet west to dry east over mountains
VII. Beliefs: Colorado has a wide spectrum of beliefs as many religious groups are drawn
to the scenic landscapes to establish their headquarters.
A. Colorado Springs – “Evangelical Vatican”
B. Shambhala Mountain Center near Red Feather – Buddhist temple
C. Crestone, Colorado – New Age village, includes numerous temples to gods
VIII. Economy: Colorado has an economy that is defined by their environment, especially
the Rocky Mountains and the fruitful plains to the east.
A. Jobs
1. mining – coal, uranium (controversial), possible oil shale
Topic-Sentence Outline Example
2. tourism – people come to see what the Rockies have to offer
a. skiing, hiking, climbing, white-water
b. national parks and forests
3. agriculture
a. peaches, etc. on wetter western slope
c. farming on plains in the east
B. Movement of goods by truck on extensive interstate system
IX. Conclusion: Coloradans live their lives to the fullest in every part of their culture,
and while they may not always agree with one another about everything, they are
fiercely proud of the great state in which they live.
Note that there is a full sentence at each Roman numeral telling the reader what the
paragraph will be about. Each sub-point under each topic sentence can simply be listed and does
not need to be a full sentence (as long as it makes sense).
Some sites that might be helpful:
http://www.evolpub.com/Americandialects/AmDialLnx.html slang words for your state
www.50states.com tons of information about your state
www.(whatever your state is).gov This is not a link to cut and paste…enter your state’s
name where I put the parenthesis; do not use parenthesis when you enter the address.
You can also try typing your state’s name and what you want to know about it in a search
engine (like Google). For example, “Colorado recreation” revealed numerous websites
discussing outdoor activities in Colorado, such as white-water rafting, climbing mountains, rock
climbing, biking, hiking, skiing, etc. This tells me those are things many Coloradans like to do
Topic-Sentence Outline Example
and I probably do not need to go any further unless I do not know what those things are or want
to know where they do those things.