How to Write an Outline

The first part of writing an outline is the introduction. This includes the general information that you will introduce the reader to your paper. Probably the most important thing to have in the introduction part of your outline is your thesis statement. Having the thesis statement in your introduction will give you structure for the rest of your paper so you will know how to present your ideas in a succinct manner. Once you have the idea for the introduction/thesis statement you are ready to start thinking about your body paragraphs.

Your research paper outline will help you write body paragraphs that follow the topic as stated in the introduction and most importantly, in the thesis statement. In these paragraphs you should provide quotes, facts, and support that help explain your thesis statement. Having an idea for these supporting paragraphs in your outline will keep your paper from rambling and jumping all over the place. Using an outline will help you to present your ideas in a way that is logical and orderly, making it is easy to read and understand your paper.

Following the body paragraphs, it is important to have a good, strong conclusion. In the conclusion you should re-state the thesis statement and give your argument one final push, trying not to add any new information that wasn’t in the body paragraphs. The conclusion is the last thing that your reader reads, so it needs to be very convincing and supportive of the points you have previously made behind your thesis.

Starting by writing an outline for a research paper is vital to getting a good grade on your paper. They are essential in any form of writing: essays, research papers, term papers, resumes, speeches or talks, etc. Here is an example of an effective writing outline that might help to get you started.

Sample Outline:

I. Introduction
  Present information for your entire paper
  Thesis statement - explain your view on the topic
II. Body Paragraphs
  Topic sentences support the thesis
  Use quotes, facts, and support to backup your topic sentences
III. Conclusion   Restate the thesis
  Give a clincher (what you wanted the reader to learn)

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By Gary Mortensen
MonsterPapers.com