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The Daily Insight

How do you write an outline for a research paper?

Author

Jessica Cortez

Updated on March 29, 2026

To create an outline:

  1. Place your thesis statement at the beginning.
  2. List the major points that support your thesis. Label them in Roman Numerals (I, II, III, etc.).
  3. List supporting ideas or arguments for each major point.
  4. If applicable, continue to sub-divide each supporting idea until your outline is fully developed.

What is an outline of a paper?

An outline is an ordered list of the main points of your essay. Outlining helps you define and organize your topic and subtopics so that you bring the reader on a logical journey from your thesis, through your supporting evidence, to your conclusion.

What are the basic parts of a research paper?

There are eight main parts in a research paper:

  • Title (cover page)
  • Introduction.
  • Literature review.
  • Research methodology.
  • Data analysis.
  • Results.
  • Conclusion.
  • Reference page.

How do you write a simple essay outline?

Creating an Outline for an Essay

  1. I. Introduction. Sentence to get the attention of your readers: One-sentence thesis statement:
  2. II. Body. First main idea: a. Supporting evidence for the first idea: b. Supporting evidence for the first idea:
  3. III. Conclusion. Restatement of your thesis: Insightful sentence to end your essay:

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.

What is the purpose of outline?

Outlining is an important step in organizing a paper. When done well, it clearly shows the relationships between ideas in your paper and provides a plan for writing. It also helps you to think about your topic and to reach the level of synthesis and evaluation in learning.

How many layers are in a research paper 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.