(professor)

Thanks for stopping by.

(student)

No problem. Why did you want to see me?

(professor)

I need to go over the outline for your term paper.

(student)

The outline for my term paper? . . . Is there a problem?

(professor)

Well, you have a good topic and lots of interesting ideas here, but the outline itself could still be better.

(student)

Well, what can I do to improve the outline?

(professor)

I have two suggestions to improve the outline. First of all, you need to organize the ideas a little more clearly.

(student)

So, you think I have enough ideas, but they need to be better organized?

(professor)

Exactly. And for my second suggestion, you don't ... uh ... have much of a conclusion. You should really think about ... uh... strengthening your conclusion.

(student)

OK, I'll work on the overall organization and the conclusion. Then what?

(professor)

Well, after you've improved these two areas, I'd like you to resubmit the outline, and we can discuss it some more.

(student)

And when would you like the revised outline?

(professor)

Well, don't take too long working on it. You really need to get the outline squared away so you can work on writing the paper. Let's say within a week? You should get it to me no later than next week.