Outline Format
for a Research Paper
Christine Bauer-Ramazani
 

NOTE:  Outline points are usually in phrase form, e.g.  Adj + N + Prep + N (= Noun Phrase) or parallel verb phrases.  The following numbering system is standard and should be followed for outline assignments.

____________________________________________
Title of Research Paper

  I.  Introduction

          A.       Background information (interesting facts, statistics, rhetorical questions)

1.  _________________________________

     2.  _________________________________

B.  Thesis Statement: (Write the sentence in full. Include Topic, Controlling Idea, 5 Aspects/Focal Points.)

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________.

II.    ________________________________________ 
                             
(Main idea/aspect # 1)

          A.    ___________________________________ 
                             
(Supporting point #1)

          1.   ________________________________
                    (Example/detail)

          2.     ________________________________
                   
(Example/detail)

             B.    ___________________________________
                                     
(Supporting point #2)

          1. ________________________________
                   
(Example/detail)

          2. ________________________________
                   
(Example/detail)

 

III.  ______________________________________
                               
(Main idea/aspect # 2)

              A.    _________________________________
                               
(Supporting point #1)

                      1.     ______________________________
                               
(Example/detail)

                      2.     ______________________________
                               
(Example/detail)

              B.    ________________________________
                               
(Supporting point #2)

  1.     ______________________________
          
(Example/detail)

  2.     _____________________________
           
(Example/detail)
 

IV. ___________________________________
                              
(Main idea/aspect # 3)

          A.    _________________________________
                              
(Supporting point #1)

                       1.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

                       2.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

           B.    _________________________________
                              
(Supporting point #2)

                       1.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

                       2.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)
 

 V.    ___________________________________
                              
(Main idea/aspect # 4)

          A.    _________________________________
                              
(Supporting point #1)

                       1.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

                       2.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

           B.    _________________________________
                              
(Supporting point #2)

                       1.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

                       2.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)
 

VI.    ___________________________________
                              
(Main idea/aspect # 5)

          A.    _________________________________
                              
(Supporting point #1)

                       1.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

                       2.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

           B.    _________________________________
                              
(Supporting point #2)

                       1.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

                       2.     ______________________________
                              
(Example/detail)

VII.  Conclusion

A.    ______________________________________________________
(Restatement of the thesis/summary of aspects)

B.  ___________________________________
  (Outlook for the future/Recommendations)

VIII. References

© 2013  Christine Bauer-Ramazani, Saint Michael's College. Last updated: October 15, 2019