Can you imagine preparing your favorite dish for the first time without step-by-step tutorials? It is very easy to become disoriented! A writer, like a lost wanderer who can’t find his way out of the woods, needs to learn how to write an outline for a research paper. It will keep you from experiencing writer’s block. In this article, we’ll look at what an outline looks like, what its concept and goals are, and look at some great examples.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- List of Concept & Goals of a Research Paper Outline
- MLA Research Paper Outline
- Understanding APA Research Paper Outline
- A Comprehensive Outline
- What to Remember
- Example of a Research Paper Outline
List of Concept & Goals of a Research Paper Outline
What exactly is an outline, and why is it important? A research paper outline refers to a plan composed by the author to risk getting stuck in the middle of the process. It’s referred to as an action plan. This section reveals the study’s main ideas. Once a writer has completed the list of research paper topics to investigate, he or she must devote some time to developing the outline.
What is the distinction between learning how to write a research paper outline and creating a table of contents? An outline, on the other hand, is not that detailed, so there is no need to put page numbers next to each paragraph. An outline enables the study to be combined and reviewed. A writer will not repeat their words; instead, he will follow a logical flow with the assistance of an outline.
The prompt for the assignment may or may not direct you to create an outline. A research paper outline, on the other hand, is used by default if a project is longer than 1000 words. A 5-paragraph essay, for example, necessitates an outline. Without a plan, it will be impossible to write a 10,000-word coursework or dissertation. The structure of an outline is determined by the type of academic assignment and its format.
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MLA Research Paper Outline
Because MLA is the most common and easiest research paper format, we should begin by explaining how to write an outline for a research paper using this example. This guide was proposed long ago by the Modern Language Association. It is used to cite works by students and professionals in the fields listed below:
- Comparative literary analysis
- Cultural studies
- History & Anthropology
- English Composition
- Literature
- Foreign language & literature
- Literary criticism
When working on papers in these disciplines, use an MLA outline. Begin with the primary headings (“Intro” and “Method”), which should be written in upper-case Roman numerals. If the paper is lengthy and contains numerous subsections, the student should use letters and numbers to indicate the different levels of subheadings.
Arrange the items in the correct order in a draft. Do not get into specifics until you have completed the final version of the research paper outline. This section explains how the writer will come up with other important parts (example: Literature Review).
Make use of a couple of college professors’ ideas.
- Based on the tool used to create documents, a writer should ensure that the various levels of the outline (II, B, 3, c, j) correlate to the headings in Microsoft Word, as most instructors only accept DOC & DOCS format.
- The MLA’s writing manual has been updated! Before creating an outline for a research paper, check the most recent version of the manual to see if there have been any modifications to the research paper format.
MLA Research Paper Outline by GradeOffice
Looking for more info? View our full guideline – citing a research paper using MLA format
Understanding APA Research Paper Outline
When writing a research paper, the most commonly used format is APA, which is more complicated compared to MLA. It was founded by the American Psychological Association. In these disciplines, students and instructors use the APA essay format:
- Psychology
- Social sciences
- Humanities
- Healthcare & nursing
- Education
Other fields’ representatives use the APA paper format from occasionally as well. We’ve created a tasty infographic with an APA outline example based on the manual’s 6th edition.
GradeOffice provides a general template for creating an APA outline
Let’s take a closer look at that structure.
A Comprehensive Outline
There are several critical elements to consider when writing your research paper:
Title/Cover Page
It is the first section in which the major details are introduced. The recommended title is 60 characters long. Overall, do not overlook this information on the title page:
- Your full name
- Professor’s name
- Peers who took part in the investigation (if any)
- Submission date
Abstract
A summary is an essential component of any research paper. It’s referred to as an abstract in college. The length of such text should not be more than 250-300 words (1/3 of an A4 page), and a student should include the main findings, their significance, and a brief conclusion.
Introduction
Experts advise conducting in-depth research into the background of the research. Try explaining why the chosen problem requires analysis and discussion. Mention the expected outcomes of the working process, as well as a hypothesis that should be enclosed in the introduction (it would be the thesis). Furthermore, don’t forget to add your thesis statement or research topic.
Methodology
Describe the tools, equipment, and techniques used to conduct a study. This section should allow you to step-by-step repeat the investigation. The segment’s purpose is to allow other scientists who are interested in the same research question to proceed with the investigation.
Results & Discussion (R&D)
Many master paper authors combine results and discussion into a single large section. They are interconnected. Begin by sharing the study’s findings. Continue interpreting the significance of the results for society and provide a brief synopsis of the core aspects: figures and statistical examinations. Position the numbers next to each of the visual elements for acknowledgement (graphs, images, etc.) to provide details in the final section — Appendix.
Conclusion
It is necessary to include the following in the Conclusion section:
- An analysis of the findings
- Paraphrased thesis statement
- The importance of the research paper
- Methods for putting the findings into practice
- Some projections
- References
Create a complete list of references based on the paper format you’ve chosen. Each time you cite something, make a note of the source’s information on a separate piece of paper. It will hasten the process in the end.
What to Remember
- An outline is similar to an action plan in that it guides you through the process of writing.
- If your assignment is longer than 1000 words, you must create an outline.
- The outline is divided into three sections: The Introduction, the Body, and the Conclusion.
- The outline format varies according to the type of academic assignment (MLA, APA).
- Read the most recent version of the research paper format manual before creating a research paper outline.
Example of a Research Paper Outline
Check out this free research paper outline template example: Creating an Eye-Catching Resume! The example is written in accordance with the APA writing style guidelines; the rules of the game may vary in other formats.