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Getting started with your research paper outline
Levels of organization for a research paper outline
First level of organization, second level of organization, third level of organization, fourth level of organization, tips for writing a research paper outline, research paper outline template, my research paper outline is complete: what are the next steps, frequently asked questions about a research paper outline, related articles.
The outline is the skeleton of your research paper. Simply start by writing down your thesis and the main ideas you wish to present. This will likely change as your research progresses; therefore, do not worry about being too specific in the early stages of writing your outline.
A research paper outline typically contains between two and four layers of organization. The first two layers are the most generalized. Each layer thereafter will contain the research you complete and presents more and more detailed information.
The levels are typically represented by a combination of Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, uppercase letters, lowercase letters but may include other symbols. Refer to the guidelines provided by your institution, as formatting is not universal and differs between universities, fields, and subjects. If you are writing the outline for yourself, you may choose any combination you prefer.
This is the most generalized level of information. Begin by numbering the introduction, each idea you will present, and the conclusion. The main ideas contain the bulk of your research paper 's information. Depending on your research, it may be chapters of a book for a literature review , a series of dates for a historical research paper, or the methods and results of a scientific paper.
I. Introduction
II. Main idea
III. Main idea
IV. Main idea
V. Conclusion
The second level consists of topics which support the introduction, main ideas, and the conclusion. Each main idea should have at least two supporting topics listed in the outline.
If your main idea does not have enough support, you should consider presenting another main idea in its place. This is where you should stop outlining if this is your first draft. Continue your research before adding to the next levels of organization.
- A. Background information
- B. Hypothesis or thesis
- A. Supporting topic
- B. Supporting topic
The third level of organization contains supporting information for the topics previously listed. By now, you should have completed enough research to add support for your ideas.
The Introduction and Main Ideas may contain information you discovered about the author, timeframe, or contents of a book for a literature review; the historical events leading up to the research topic for a historical research paper, or an explanation of the problem a scientific research paper intends to address.
- 1. Relevant history
- 2. Relevant history
- 1. The hypothesis or thesis clearly stated
- 1. A brief description of supporting information
- 2. A brief description of supporting information
The fourth level of organization contains the most detailed information such as quotes, references, observations, or specific data needed to support the main idea. It is not typical to have further levels of organization because the information contained here is the most specific.
- a) Quotes or references to another piece of literature
- b) Quotes or references to another piece of literature
Tip: The key to creating a useful outline is to be consistent in your headings, organization, and levels of specificity.
- Be Consistent : ensure every heading has a similar tone. State the topic or write short sentences for each heading but avoid doing both.
- Organize Information : Higher levels of organization are more generally stated and each supporting level becomes more specific. The introduction and conclusion will never be lower than the first level of organization.
- Build Support : Each main idea should have two or more supporting topics. If your research does not have enough information to support the main idea you are presenting, you should, in general, complete additional research or revise the outline.
By now, you should know the basic requirements to create an outline for your paper. With a content framework in place, you can now start writing your paper . To help you start right away, you can use one of our templates and adjust it to suit your needs.
After completing your outline, you should:
- Title your research paper . This is an iterative process and may change when you delve deeper into the topic.
- Begin writing your research paper draft . Continue researching to further build your outline and provide more information to support your hypothesis or thesis.
- Format your draft appropriately . MLA 8 and APA 7 formats have differences between their bibliography page, in-text citations, line spacing, and title.
- Finalize your citations and bibliography . Use a reference manager like Paperpile to organize and cite your research.
- Write the abstract, if required . An abstract will briefly state the information contained within the paper, results of the research, and the conclusion.
An outline is used to organize written ideas about a topic into a logical order. Outlines help us organize major topics, subtopics, and supporting details. Researchers benefit greatly from outlines while writing by addressing which topic to cover in what order.
The most basic outline format consists of: an introduction, a minimum of three topic paragraphs, and a conclusion.
You should make an outline before starting to write your research paper. This will help you organize the main ideas and arguments you want to present in your topic.
- Consistency: ensure every heading has a similar tone. State the topic or write short sentences for each heading but avoid doing both.
- Organization : Higher levels of organization are more generally stated and each supporting level becomes more specific. The introduction and conclusion will never be lower than the first level of organization.
- Support : Each main idea should have two or more supporting topics. If your research does not have enough information to support the main idea you are presenting, you should, in general, complete additional research or revise the outline.
How Can You Create a Well Planned Research Paper Outline
You are staring at the blank document, meaning to start writing your research paper . After months of experiments and procuring results, your PI asked you to write the paper to publish it in a reputed journal. You spoke to your peers and a few seniors and received a few tips on writing a research paper, but you still can’t plan on how to begin!
Writing a research paper is a very common issue among researchers and is often looked upon as a time consuming hurdle. Researchers usually look up to this task as an impending threat, avoiding and procrastinating until they cannot delay it anymore. Seeking advice from internet and seniors they manage to write a paper which goes in for quite a few revisions. Making researchers lose their sense of understanding with respect to their research work and findings. In this article, we would like to discuss how to create a structured research paper outline which will assist a researcher in writing their research paper effectively!
Publication is an important component of research studies in a university for academic promotion and in obtaining funding to support research. However, the primary reason is to provide the data and hypotheses to scientific community to advance the understanding in a specific domain. A scientific paper is a formal record of a research process. It documents research protocols, methods, results, conclusion, and discussion from a research hypothesis .
Table of Contents
What Is a Research Paper Outline?
A research paper outline is a basic format for writing an academic research paper. It follows the IMRAD format (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). However, this format varies depending on the type of research manuscript. A research paper outline consists of following sections to simplify the paper for readers. These sections help researchers build an effective paper outline.
1. Title Page
The title page provides important information which helps the editors, reviewers, and readers identify the manuscript and the authors at a glance. It also provides an overview of the field of research the research paper belongs to. The title should strike a balance between precise and detailed. Other generic details include author’s given name, affiliation, keywords that will provide indexing, details of the corresponding author etc. are added to the title page.
2. Abstract
Abstract is the most important section of the manuscript and will help the researcher create a detailed research paper outline . To be more precise, an abstract is like an advertisement to the researcher’s work and it influences the editor in deciding whether to submit the manuscript to reviewers or not. Writing an abstract is a challenging task. Researchers can write an exemplary abstract by selecting the content carefully and being concise.
3. Introduction
An introduction is a background statement that provides the context and approach of the research. It describes the problem statement with the assistance of the literature study and elaborates the requirement to update the knowledge gap. It sets the research hypothesis and informs the readers about the big research question.
This section is usually named as “Materials and Methods”, “Experiments” or “Patients and Methods” depending upon the type of journal. This purpose provides complete information on methods used for the research. Researchers should mention clear description of materials and their use in the research work. If the methods used in research are already published, give a brief account and refer to the original publication. However, if the method used is modified from the original method, then researcher should mention the modifications done to the original protocol and validate its accuracy, precision, and repeatability.
It is best to report results as tables and figures wherever possible. Also, avoid duplication of text and ensure that the text summarizes the findings. Report the results with appropriate descriptive statistics. Furthermore, report any unexpected events that could affect the research results, and mention complete account of observations and explanations for missing data (if any).
6. Discussion
The discussion should set the research in context, strengthen its importance and support the research hypothesis. Summarize the main results of the study in one or two paragraphs and show how they logically fit in an overall scheme of studies. Compare the results with other investigations in the field of research and explain the differences.
7. Acknowledgments
Acknowledgements identify and thank the contributors to the study, who are not under the criteria of co-authors. It also includes the recognition of funding agency and universities that award scholarships or fellowships to researchers.
8. Declaration of Competing Interests
Finally, declaring the competing interests is essential to abide by ethical norms of unique research publishing. Competing interests arise when the author has more than one role that may lead to a situation where there is a conflict of interest.
Steps to Write a Research Paper Outline
- Write down all important ideas that occur to you concerning the research paper .
- Answer questions such as – what is the topic of my paper? Why is the topic important? How to formulate the hypothesis? What are the major findings?
- Add context and structure. Group all your ideas into sections – Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion/Conclusion.
- Add relevant questions to each section. It is important to note down the questions. This will help you align your thoughts.
- Expand the ideas based on the questions created in the paper outline.
- After creating a detailed outline, discuss it with your mentors and peers.
- Get enough feedback and decide on the journal you will submit to.
- The process of real writing begins.
Benefits of Creating a Research Paper Outline
As discussed, the research paper subheadings create an outline of what different aspects of research needs elaboration. This provides subtopics on which the researchers brainstorm and reach a conclusion to write. A research paper outline organizes the researcher’s thoughts and gives a clear picture of how to formulate the research protocols and results. It not only helps the researcher to understand the flow of information but also provides relation between the ideas.
A research paper outline helps researcher achieve a smooth transition between topics and ensures that no research point is forgotten. Furthermore, it allows the reader to easily navigate through the research paper and provides a better understanding of the research. The paper outline allows the readers to find relevant information and quotes from different part of the paper.
Research Paper Outline Template
A research paper outline template can help you understand the concept of creating a well planned research paper before beginning to write and walk through your journey of research publishing.
1. Research Title
A. Background i. Support with evidence ii. Support with existing literature studies
B. Thesis Statement i. Link literature with hypothesis ii. Support with evidence iii. Explain the knowledge gap and how this research will help build the gap 4. Body
A. Methods i. Mention materials and protocols used in research ii. Support with evidence
B. Results i. Support with tables and figures ii. Mention appropriate descriptive statistics
C. Discussion i. Support the research with context ii. Support the research hypothesis iii. Compare the results with other investigations in field of research
D. Conclusion i. Support the discussion and research investigation ii. Support with literature studies
E. Acknowledgements i. Identify and thank the contributors ii. Include the funding agency, if any
F. Declaration of Competing Interests
5. References
Download the Research Paper Outline Template!
Have you tried writing a research paper outline ? How did it work for you? Did it help you achieve your research paper writing goal? Do let us know about your experience in the comments below.
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- Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates
Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates
Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:
- Your anticipated title
- Your abstract
- Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)
In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.
Table of contents
How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.
While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.
- Working Title
- “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
- Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
- Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
- Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
- Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
- Answer the research question in a concise way.
- Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.
For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .
To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.
Download Word template Download Google Docs template
It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.
Example 1: Passive construction
The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.
Example 2: IS-AV construction
You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.
A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.
Example 3: The “I” construction
Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.
Example 4: Mix-and-match
To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.
As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .
The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
- Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)
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George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/
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Research Paper Guide
Research Paper Outline
Last updated on: Feb 8, 2023
Research Paper Outline - Basic Format & Sample
By: Nathan D.
Reviewed By: Melisa C.
Published on: Jun 4, 2019
Anyone who's ever had to write a research paper knows that it can be an overwhelming and time-consuming task. But, don't worry! We're here to help you out with some valuable information on how to create the perfect outline for your next paper.
Making an outline is a part of research paper writing and must not be ignored at any cost.
Many students think that making a paper outline is a waste of time. In this post, we will explain the importance of making and having a detailed and perfect outline.
Here, you will find all the information you need to make a great and strong research paper outline and avoid writer’s block.
On this Page
What is a Research Paper Outline?
A research paper outline is created to structure the main ideas and add them to the paper in a cohesive manner. It is essential for a good research paper.
Essays and other assignments also involve writing and research. An assignment entirely dedicated to facts, research, and evaluation is somewhat different and needs a high level of research and writing skills.
Researching is only half of the work done; the other half is about presenting those facts and material. A good outline will help you know about the details and things you need to add to your paper.
Besides outline, your research topic is also vital for a strong research paper. A good research topic is wide, impressive, and engaging, and once you choose from this list of good research topics , you are good to start the work.
Coming back to the research paper outline, a good and detailed outline is important for a great research paper. It aids the process of writing and helps you stay focused and in line with the main topic. So, for an impressive and good research paper, you need to have a good outline.
Significance of a Good Research Paper Outline
‘ Is it important to make an outline before writing the paper? ’ Unlike what many students think, a good and functional research paper outline helps you in several ways. Many students could not submit their research papers on time only because they could not keep with the writing flow.
As a result, they lose pace and submit their paper at the deadline. A good and carefully created outline helps in avoiding any such situation and submitting the paper on time. Here are some key benefits of having a good research paper outline.
- You will be able to avoid writer’s block and keep working at the same pace. The outline will help you know the path you are going and complete each section on time.
- A proper outline will help you stay focused and ensure proper coherence throughout the paper. However, the outline must be used and followed as a guide only. As you work on your paper, the outline could change many times.
- It keeps you motivated about the project. Having a detailed outline in hand makes the writing process easy and better than if you start writing a lengthy paper without knowing where you are headed.
- An outline helps you organize your thoughts about a topic. It is important because some problems are quite diverse, and you can work on them in a number of ways. An outline helps you in knowing which approaches are better.
- It helps you in making and following a schedule for every task or section. Sometimes, the teacher gives the deadline for each section himself, but if not, set the deadline yourself and follow it.
Due to all of these elements, making a good and detailed outline is important and quite helpful also.
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How to Write a Research Paper Outline?
‘How to create a strong research paper outline?’
‘How to write an outline for a research paper?’
We know that you are looking for answers, and we are here to help you. Being a top writing assistance company, we know what problems students face, and this is why we know what you want.
Below, we have discussed some core sections to add when writing an outline for a research paper. Make sure that you do not miss any of them when working on your paper’s outline. And use roman numerals for sub-sections.
To help you understand better how to create an outline, we will also add a sample research paper template at the end. So stay with us.
1. Title Page
The title page is the first part of a research paper. It includes the student’s name, the name of the institute, and the topic of the research. All the information should be centralized and in 12 pt. Times New Roman format.
Usually, the paper format is APA but if your teacher has specified some other formatting style, follow it.
2. Abstract
An abstract is a short form of summary. It is brief and revolves around the main idea and research question of the paper. However, when writing a research paper abstract, be careful not to give away too much information.
Explain the main idea and inform the reader about the findings and research results. Adding background information and connecting it with the main research topic is a good idea to create a solid abstract.
3. Introduction
The introduction presents the statement of the problem, the definition of the core terms, and the main ideas of the research. A strong introduction is a key to a strong and impressive research paper. Start the introduction with a hook sentence and engage the reader.
Moving forward, mention the reasons why you chose the topic and how you will conduct your research.
An introductory paragraph will introduce your main question and the concepts you will discuss in the main body paragraphs. Still, just like with the abstract, you have to be careful not to add all the main details here.
Just elaborate on the background of the research question, your literature review, findings, and the main reasons that make this research significant.
4. Thesis Statement
It is written after the introduction and is the essence of the entire research paper. Write your thesis statement to give a clear idea about your research question. A thesis statement is brief, usually a few lines, and tells the readers about the main research findings.
Here are a few thesis statement examples for research papers.
However, keep it brief and, in the case of scientific research, present your hypothesis here.
5. Body Paragraphs
The main body is the largest of your research paper. It occupies more than half of your paper’s length and includes all the main ideas, arguments, background, research, and findings.
To present relevant and structured information, the main body section follows a set pattern:
6. Literature Review
The literature review is submitted with the research proposal. Your research question and the main ideas you will discuss in your research are the main parts of your research. You can start your research after your proposal is accepted.
The literature review presents the previous relevant studies regarding the research topic and main question. It discusses notable and prominent studies and research and compares them with the topic of the paper.
Research credible sources for relevant information. Discuss your point of view and the study that is relevant to it. Usually, it includes many studies, and it depends on your topic. But on a general note, the more, the better.
7. Significance of the Study
Mention and discuss the significance of your research. Why is your research significant? Why was your research necessary? What were the shortcomings of the previous research? And other questions like these. Discuss them and talk about the reasons that make your research important and necessary.
8. Research Methodology
Every research follows a method. In scientific studies, students usually use quantitative research, while the students studying humanities use qualitative research techniques. Based on your field of study, select and explain the methodology you will use for your research.
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9. Research Findings and Analysis
The analysis section will mention and explain the strongest arguments of the research and their findings. However, do not try to explain and add everything together. Decide the order in which you will present your ideas and stick to them. Generally, the following structure is followed.
1. The first main idea of the paper
- Background information
- Your main claims and arguments
- Supporting major points
2. The second main idea of the paper
3. The third main idea of the paper
You can add as many ideas as necessary but keep everything relevant and structured.
10. Limitations of the Research
Add and discuss the limitations of your research. In the case of humanities, the limitations could be the lack of relevant data and research. For scientific research, the limitations include ethical concerns, lack of financial and research resources, and time constraints.
11. Conclusion
The conclusion is the final part of your research. It concludes the entire research and presents your research findings. Some students think that they can add a new idea and discuss it briefly, which is wrong. A conclusion is your paper’s closure, not a place to open discussion on new ideas.
For a strong impact, support your thesis statement and mention whether your research findings were according to your hypothesis.
12. References
The references list includes all the works and studies that you have used in your research paper. Make sure that it has every work that you have cited and included in your paper. Follow the given formatting style and indentation guidelines.
13. Bibliography
A bibliography will include every study and book that you have consulted for your research. No matter if you have cited it in your research or not, it will be added here.
Have a look at the following research paper outline template to get a better idea of writing one.
RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE TEMPLATE
Formatting Your Research Paper Outline
There are different kinds of research paper outlines, such as alphanumeric, decimal, and full sentences. The difference between these lies in the formatting and writing style. Have a look at the different research paper outline examples:
In Alphanumeric:
Body Paragraph 1
- Sub-point of sub-point
In Decimal:
1.0 Body paragraph 1
1.1 Point 1
1.1.2 Sub-point of point 1
1.2 Point 2
In Full-Sentence:
- First body paragraph
A. The first point of evidence
- Sub-point discussing evidence outlined in point A
a. Additional sub-point to conclude the discussion
Sample Research Paper Outline
To help you understand further, we have added some college research paper outline examples below.
SAMPLE RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE (PDF)
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE (PDF)
APA RESEARCH PAPER EXAMPLE (PDF)
MLA RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE (PDF)
SOCIOLOGY RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE (PDF)
If you need help creating a good research paper outline, then we are here for you. 5StarEssays.com is a professional write essay for me service that specializes in offering quality research papers and academic writing help for you.
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Law, Education
Nathan completed his Ph.D. in journalism and has been writing articles for well-respected publications for many years now. His work is carefully researched and insightful, showing a true passion for the written word. Nathan's clients appreciate his expertise, deep understanding of the process, and ability to communicate difficult concepts clearly.
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Offer some more specific background information (as needed). 3. Provide the title of the piece and the author's name if the essay is about a specific book/poem/article/passage. C. Thesis Statement 1. State your topic and position. Remember that a thesis = claim + reasons. 2. Outline your main points and ideas.
The following outline shows a basic format for most academic papers. No matter what length the paper needs to be, it should still follow the format of having an introduction, body, and conclusion. Read over what typically goes in each section of the paper. Use the back of this handout to outline information for your specific paper.
Research Paper Outline Research questions are essential to writing a research paper and will serve as the foundation of your outline. They will also help you build the content of your paper; the sources and analysis discussed in the literature review (the body of the paper) should aim to answer each research question. ...
A decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline, but with a different numbering system: 1, 1.1, 1.2, etc. Text is written as short notes rather than full sentences. Example: 1 Body paragraph one. 1.1 First point. 1.1.1 Sub-point of first point. 1.1.2 Sub-point of first point.
Do not use a period after your title or after any heading in the paper (e.g., Works Cited). Begin your text on a new, double-spaced line after the title, indenting the first line of the paragraph half an inch from the left margin. Fig. 1. The top of the first page of a research paper.
Academic papers are like hourglasses. The paper opens at its widest point; the introduction makes broad connections to the reader's interests, hoping they will be persuaded to follow along, then gradually narrows to a tight, focused, thesis statement. The argument stays relatively narrow and focused on the thesis throughout the body, or the middle
As a result, the outline should follow the flow of the organizing principle. 3. Each numeral (I, II, III, etc.) should denote a separate paragraph or section of the paper. Use research to supply evidence that supports each reason (a., i., ii., b., i., ii., etc.). 4. Include citations within the outline to keep track of information and avoid ...
three level outline is made up of headings for sections, subsections, and paragraphs of a paper. Paragraph headings should provide the topic sentence (or phrase) that all sentences in the paragraph will support. The structure of a three-level outline is shown below: Introduction. Motivation to study this topic.
RESEARCH ESSAY OUTLINE Outlines provide a visual representation of an essay's structural design. Organizing an essay well is crucial to the overall clarity of your argument. Outlines are an important step in writing because they: 1. Clearly show the relationships between ideas in your essay and provide a plan for writing. 2.
The outline is the skeleton of your research paper. Simply start by writing down your thesis and the main ideas you wish to present. This will likely change as your research progresses; therefore, do not worry about being too specific in the early stages of writing your outline. Organize your papers in one place. Try Paperpile.
This will help you align your thoughts. Expand the ideas based on the questions created in the paper outline. After creating a detailed outline, discuss it with your mentors and peers. Get enough feedback and decide on the journal you will submit to. The process of real writing begins.
A research paper outline template is a precontrived guideline that helps you create an outline for your paper. It is divided into the necessary sections and paragraphs with enough space for you to fill in the contents of your outline. Simply put, it is a document containing the prerequisite outline format that prevents you from writing your ...
Examples of essay outlines. Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay. Argumentative essay outline. This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet's impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.
Example 1: Passive construction. The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise. Example: Passive construction.
This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader. Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student and professional papers (i.e., papers written for credit in a course and papers intended for scholarly publication). These differences mostly extend to the title ...
This sample follows the style guidelines in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. (2009). Sample Outline for an MLA Paper (Orlov) Marginal annotations indicate MLA-style formatting and effective writing. Orlov 1 ... Outline begins with Orlov's thesis. Word "Outline" and title, centered. 10/10 Outline uses standard ...
Comment on the quote: _____ _____ _____ _____ Significance—How does this relate to your overall point?
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when writing a research paper outline: 1. Pick a topic of your interest. Make sure the scope of the topic is not too broad or too narrow. 2. Formulate a thesis statement. 3. Gather all relevant ideas that give support to your thesis statement. 4.
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Template A. Introduction a. Introduction to the broad topic b. Specific topic c. Thesis statement B. Body Paragraphs a. Body paragraph #1—First aspect that's similar or different i. Subject #1 1. Detail #1 2. Detail #2 ii. Subject #2 1. Detail #1 2. Detail #2 b.
To help you understand better how to create an outline, we will also add a sample research paper template at the end. So stay with us. 1. Title Page. The title page is the first part of a research paper. It includes the student's name, the name of the institute, and the topic of the research.
This outline format uses numbers to organize the main ideas and supporting details of a research paper. It is similar to the alphanumeric outline, but it uses only numbers and decimals to indicate the hierarchy of the ideas. Example: 1.0 Introduction. 1.1 Background information.
Part II. What Every Good Essay Needs THESIS An academic paper without a thesis would be like a mammal without a spine.2 You might have heard "thesis" defi ned as the main idea or argument of your paper. In some cases, this basic defi nition makes sense. But in many writing assignments, especially longer research papers, the stakes for a good
Argumentative Essay Outline (Claim) Directions: Use this outline as a "road map" to write your essay. If you need more examples or sentence starters, use page 2 to help you! 1) Introduction/Claim (One paragraph) • Start with a hook or attention getting sentence.