Outline of a Research Paper

I. Title: Addiction Genes

II. Introduction: Your introduction should begin with an attention-getter. Then it should be
followed by 3 5 sentences stating specific points you will make in the paper(3
rd
POV). Then you
should have one sentence that is the thesis of your paper. Complete the following parts of the
Introduction paragraph.
ATTENTION-GETTER (first 1 -2 sentences of paper):
SPECIFIC POINTS (3-5 sentences):
***THESIS (SO WHAT?) one sentence summarizing what your paper is about in 3
rd
POV:***

Their is always that one person that everyone knows is a drug or alcohol addict, but
what if it is not their fault? Recent studies have shown that addiction runs in genes. Alcoholism
is formed by a combination of 3 things, biological genes, psychological states, and cultural
surroundings. Many studies have proven that addiction and genes are related. Scientists do not
know how, but research is being done to try to figure out how they are related. Every gene in
the human body takes on different forms, or variants. Some of these different forms can make
someone more susceptible to developing an addiction. Addiction is a disease
that is caused by genes as well as other causes that
affects many people around the world. (new thesis)

III. Body Paragraphs: During the body of the paper you should make the specific points that
relate to the purpose statement. You may choose to make 1 3 paragraphs for each point. Be
sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence, meaning the first sentence of each paragraph
should describe what the paragraph is about. Each sentence in the paragraph should then relate
to the topic sentence. For this outline, write the topic sentence for each of at least five different
points that you plan to make/describe in the paper; add additional subheadings as necessary (at
least two).

I. Many people do not know what addiction is or how it affects society. (There are 2
main types, alcoholism and drug addiction.)
1. (main type) alcoholism
a. Definition/ description (Source # 1 Notecard # 2)
b. How it affects society (?source#1 notecard#2)
2. Drug abuse
a. Definition/ description(my own definition of drug abuse)
b. how it affects society( source# notecard#)
II. This topic on genes is fairly new, due to technology advances.
1. Not very much research has been done on it
a. Few studies could be found, not nearly as many as other genetic related
subjects
b. biggest study is Harvard's study on twin's reactions to marijuana ( source#4
notecard#3)

2. More research should be done
a. If more research is done, people with addiction problems can be treated
with medicine that will help more than any other type of treatment out
there( source# notecard#)
b. People that know they have genes that will cause them to become addicted
easier than others, they might try to stay away from those substances(
source# notecard#)
III. Very many people all over the world struggle with addiction problems.
1. in the U.S.
a. male to female( source# notecard#)
b. age groups( source# notecard#)
2. Outside the U.S
c. countries with highest addiction rate( source# notecard#)
d. age groups outside of U.S. ( source# notecard#)
IV. Treatment plans for "curing" addiction can be done many different ways.
1. Now
a. Treatment houses/ Rehab( source# notecard#)
b. Medications( source# notecard#)
2. Future (if more research is done)
c. more personalized( source# notecard#)
d. will work quicker and more efficient( source# notecard#)
V. Different studies have been recorded with valuable information on this topic.
1. Harvard- twins
a. twins with the same DNA had very close responses to drugs such as marijuana (
source# notecard#)
b. fraternal twins had close but different results( source# notecard#)
2. Indiana University School of Medicine
c. Trial and error( source# notecard#)
d. match patients and treatment plans( source# notecard#)



IV. Conclusion: The conclusion paragraph should briefly (3-5 sentences) summarize the paper,
and then elaborate on answering the question so what?. What is significant about everything
you have written about? Where do you see this going in the future? What role does your topic
have in the big picture of medicine, genetics, or life? Be sure that your conclusion has a topic
sentence and several supporting sentences. Try coming up with a couple of answers to the so
what question.

Addiction genes are about 50% of why people become addicted to drugs, genes can
weaken addictions or make them stronger, but no matter your genes, you have the last choice
to start these habits or not. Addiction problems are in many families, and many kids in the U.S.
have families that struggle with addiction problems. These children also have a good probability
of becoming addicted to something. The number of addicts all around the world are going up
constantly, therefore, in order to reduce this number, actions must be taken now.