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Subject Libguides: Writing Your Paper: Step Three: Outlining the Research Paper

Outlining your Research Paper

Outlining the Research Paper

 

I. Introduction: Begin with a Thesis Statement in 1-2 sentences that state the focus on the paper

A. Main Points (have at least three but no more than five)

  1. State the main point you will have in the paper
  2. Main point
  3. Main Point
  4. Main Point
  5. Main Point

II. Body of the Paper: Outline the topic sentence and supporting research of each point covered in the paper stated in the introduction

1. Main Point 

Concepts statement 1 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 1
  • Connect to next statement 2

Concepts statement 2 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 2
  • Connect to next statement 3

Concepts statement 3 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 3
  • Connect to next Main Point

2. Main Point Statement 

Concepts statement 1 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 1
  • Connect to next statement 2

Concepts statement 2 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 2
  • Connect to next statement 3

Concepts statement 3 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 3
  • Connect to next Main Point

3. Main Point Statement 

Concepts statement 1 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 1
  • Connect to next statement 2

Concepts statement 2 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 2
  • Connect to next statement 3

Concepts statement 3 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 3
  • Connect to next Main Point

4. Main Point Statement 

Concepts statement 1 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 1
  • Connect to next statement 2

Concepts statement 2 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 2
  • Connect to next statement 3

Concepts statement 3 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 3
  • Connect to next Main Point

5. Main Point Statement 

Concepts statement 1 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 1
  • Connect to next statement 2

Concepts statement 2 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 2
  • Connect to next statement 3

Concepts statement 3 supporting Main statement 

  • Supporting Materials, concepts, and research for Concept Statement 3
  • Connect to next Main Point

III Summary Paragraph-create a key summary sentence that summarizes the main and concept points to start the paragraph. Each summary sentence must be clear and concise that summarizes each main point presented in the introduction and supported in the body of the paper.

IV Conclusion: Transistion the paper in final thoughts in a paragraph

V Reference Page: APA 7th Edition