This video explains how to make an outline  and this link here is the template you can download into your Google drive and use to make your outline.

Thesis:  Marijuana use is not safe for teens.

1.  INTRODUCTION:  

Hook:  “Ignorance is bliss” has never been more dangerously wrong than in the instance of teenagers and marijuana use.

Thesis:  Marijuana poses a potential threat to the mental health of adolescents.

Big Idea A:  Correlation between marijuana use and mood disorders.

Big Idea B:  Evidence of re-wiring the still immature adolescent brain.

Big Idea C:  Not recognized as dangerous by teens because of ignorance.

1.  BODY

A.    BIG IDEA A:  Positive correlation between marijuan use and mood disorders. 

        Topic Sentence:  Recent studies have confirmed the long-suspected correlation between the use of marijuana in teens and certain mood disorders such as depression and generalized anxiety. 

1.    Point 1:  Marijuana use by teens has an impact on their moods and may be a catalyst for mood disorders. 

a.    Specific Example:  Study by Dr. Gobbi, source: http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/12/18/marijuana-tough-on-teenage-brain/10288.html

2.    Point 2:  Alters serotonine levels.

a.    Specific Example:   ibid (means same source)

3.    Point 3:  Its effects can irreversible.

a.    Specific Example: ibid (means same source)

Concluding Sentence:  Marijuana alters the mood and may produced irreversible change in the teenage brain.  This is especially important given the still undeveloped state of their brain.  (Note that there is both a summary and a transition.)

B.    BIG IDEA B:  Evidence of re-wiring the still immature adolescent brain.

         Topic Sentence: (Imagine a super sentence here)

1.    Point 1:  Teen brain is not fully developed and has more plasticity than the adult brain.

a.    Specific Example: http://web1.tch.harvard.edu/dream/summer08/the_teenage_brain.html

2.    Point 2:  Paradoxically, this increased plasticity can re-wire the brain in the presence of marijuana use.

a.    Specific Example: http://web1.tch.harvard.edu/dream/summer08/the_teenage_brain.html

3.    Point 3: The frontal cortex, center of reasoning and judgment, is still not fully developed in the teen. 

a.    Specific Example: http://www.loni.ucla.edu/~thompson/MEDIA/ct.html

Concluding Sentence:  The immature teen brain is susceptible to harmful influences from its environment and must be protected.  Parents and teens need to know this.

C.    Big Idea C:  Not recognized as dangerous by teens because of ignorance.

          Topic Sentence:  Marijuana’s effects are not well known by teens.

1.    Point 1:  It effects have a half life of four days.

a.    Specific Example:  Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_notes/NNvol18N5/Cognitive.html

2.    Point 2:  Twin study shows correlation between early use and later abuse of other drugs.

a.    Specific Example: http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_notes/NNvol18N4/Twins.html

3.    Point 3:  Impairs memory and cognitive functions.

a.    Specific Example: http://www.fcps.edu/dss/ips/ssaw/AOD_quarterly/AOD%20Summer.pdf

Concluding Sentence:  This is critical information that teens need to know before they dismiss marijuana as  harmless. 

          III. CONCLUSION

1.   Re-iterate thesis:  This paper has highlighted the dangers of marijuana use in teens. 

2.   Quick summation of important/lasting ideas:  evidence of causing mood disorders, impaired cognitive        functions, and these facts are still unknown in the general population. 

3.  Final thought for reader:  It is of the utmost importance that teens get the real facts.  How will Health Canada, schools and parents help teens become fully informed? 

For more help on writing the paper go to this address:  http://www.lkwdpl.org/study/research/index.html