How to Write an Outline for a Research PaperHow to Write Education-Related Copy How to Write a Successful College Personal Statement How to Create a Writing Schedule for a Research Paper" How to Select a Topic for a Research Paper How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Research Paper How to Write an Outline for a Research Paper How to Conduct Research for Your Research Paper How to Sit Down and Actually Start Writing a Research Paper © 2009-2010 Ugur Akinci OUTLINE – Make an outline for your research paper by creating a hierarchy of more specific topics gathered under general headings. There are two main types of outlines: CHRONOLOGICAL or COMPARATIVE, depending on your topic and thesis. Some topics can be analyzed and discussed better with a chronological outline; the others with a comparative topical outline. Imagine you want to write a paper about the impact of glass lenses and eyeglasses on the development of Western technology. You might want to adopt a CHRONOLOGICAL outline like this (just an example): 1) Introduction (presentation of the topic and the Thesis Statement) 2) Brief History of Glass b. China 3) Work conditions in Medieval Europe
b. Agriculture c. Cities & Burgers 4) First eyeglasses in Europe
b. Renaissance c. Printing press 5) First trades that used eyeglasses
b. Writers c. Aristocracy 6) Industrial Revolution
b. Extension of workday c. Increase in productivity d. Famous lens crafters 7) Modern panorama
b. Eyes and nutrition c. Eye lens d. Lasik Surgery 8) Conclusion What if you're writing a paper that lends itself readily to cross-topical comparisons and for which historical development is not that important? In that case you might want to construct a COMPARATIVE outline. Imagine you want to write a paper about the way different eating habits affect human health. Here is a sample topical outline: 1) Introduction (presentation of the topic and the Thesis Statement) 2) Vegetarians
b. Athletics c. Etc. 3) Carnivores
ii. Study 2
c. Veins and Proteins d. Etc. 4) Omnivores
5) Carbohydrates vs. Proteins
b. Study 2 c. Study 3 6) Eating, Vitamins and Supplements
b. Anecdote 2 7) Role of exercise
b. Anecdote 1 c. Study 2 d. Anecdote 2 8) Etc. 9) Conclusion Do not dive into the research phase of your paper before you have a firm Outline in hand, preferably approved by your teacher, professor, or supervisor. Have a Great Tip, Photo or Comment About This Topic?Do you have a great tip or photo about this? Something that you believe we should read or see? Contribute and share it today! |