4.5 Producing a draft outline
The next stage is to write a draft outline. This can only be written on the basis of a full understanding of the question. The first draft outline helps to decide what to look for in any readings. However, after reading, it is normal to update the draft outline to reflect your improved understanding of the subject.
Look at this task:
Describe government interventions which may help people to tackle obesity. To what extent do you think these interventions can be effective? (800 words)
As this task asks the student to describe government interventions, each section of the essay will need to provide details about one type of intervention. It is also important to consider situations and reasons why an intervention is likely to be effective as well as situations and reasons why it may fail. Each point should be illustrated with examples.
This is a possible outline:
Introduction
Intervention type 1 – description – examples – why it can be effective?/not effective? + examples
Intervention type 2 – description – examples – why it can be effective?/not effective? + examples
Intervention type 3 – description – examples – why it can be effective?/not effective? + examples
Conclusion
Having written this plan it will be necessary to read the course materials to find:
- a definition of the term ‘government intervention’
- a definition of the term ‘obesity’ and some general information about its causes and effects
- examples of ineffective and effective government interventions
- theories about types of government intervention in the health sector.