Getting started with your research paper outline

The outline is the skeleton of your research paper. Simply start by writing down your thesis and the main ideas you wish to present. This will likely change as your research progresses; therefore, do not worry about being too specific in the early stages of writing your outline.

Levels of organization for 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.

The levels are typically represented by a combination of Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, uppercase letters, lowercase letters but may include other symbols. Refer to the guidelines provided by your institution, as formatting is not universal and differs between universities, fields, and subjects. If you are writing the outline for yourself, you may choose any combination you prefer.

First level of organization

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. Depending on your research, it may be chapters of a book for a literature review, a series of dates for a historical research paper, or the methods and results of a scientific paper.

Second level of organization

The second level consists of topics which support the introduction, main ideas, and the conclusion. Each main idea should have at least two supporting topics listed in the outline.

If your main idea does not have enough support, you should consider presenting another main idea in its place. This is where you should stop outlining if this is your first draft. Continue your research before adding to the next levels of organization.

• I. Introduction
  • A. Background information
  • B. Hypothesis or thesis
  • A. Supporting topic
  • B. Supporting topic

  Third level of organization

  The third level of organization contains supporting information for the topics previously listed. By now, you should have completed enough research to add support for your ideas.

  The Introduction and Main Ideas may contain information you discovered about the author, timeframe, or contents of a book for a literature review; the historical events leading up to the research topic for a historical research paper, or an explanation of the problem a scientific research paper intends to address.

  Third level example
  • I. Introduction
    • A. Background information
      • 1. Relevant history
      • 2. Relevant history
      • 1. The hypothesis or thesis clearly stated
      • A. Supporting topic
        • 1. A brief description of supporting information
        • 2. A brief description of supporting information
        • 1. A brief description of supporting information
        • 2. A brief description of supporting information

        Fourth level of organization

        The fourth level of organization contains the most detailed information such as quotes, references, observations, or specific data needed to support the main idea. It is not typical to have further levels of organization because the information contained here is the most specific.

        Fourth level example
        • I. Introduction
          • A. Background information
            • 1. Relevant history
              • a) Quotes or references to another piece of literature
              • 1. The hypothesis or thesis clearly stated
                • a) Quotes or references to another piece of literature
                • A. Supporting topic
                  • 1. A brief description of supporting information
                    • a) Quotes or references to another piece of literature
                    • b) Quotes or references to another piece of literature
                    • 1. A brief description of supporting information
                    • 2. A brief description of supporting information

                    Tips for writing a research paper outline

                    Tip: The key to creating a useful outline is to be consistent in your headings, organization, and levels of specificity.

                    • Be Consistent: ensure every heading has a similar tone. State the topic or write short sentences for each heading but avoid doing both.
                    • Organize Information: Higher levels of organization are more generally stated and each supporting level becomes more specific. The introduction and conclusion will never be lower than the first level of organization.
                    • Build Support: Each main idea should have two or more supporting topics. If your research does not have enough information to support the main idea you are presenting, you should, in general, complete additional research or revise the outline.

                    Research paper outline template

                    By now, you should know the basic requirements to create an outline for your paper. With a content framework in place, you can now start writing your paper. To help you start right away, you can use one of our templates and adjust it to suit your needs.

                    My research paper outline is complete: what are the next steps?

                    After completing your outline, you should:

                    1. Title your research paper. This is an iterative process and may change when you delve deeper into the topic.
                    2. Begin writing your research paper draft. Continue researching to further build your outline and provide more information to support your hypothesis or thesis.
                    3. Format your draft appropriately. MLA 8 and APA 7 formats have differences between their bibliography page, in-text citations, line spacing, and title.
                    4. Finalize your citations and bibliography. Use a reference manager like Paperpile to organize and cite your research.
                    5. Write the abstract, if required. An abstract will briefly state the information contained within the paper, results of the research, and the conclusion.

                    Frequently Asked Questions about a research paper outline

                    📨 What is a research paper outline?

                    An outline is used to organize written ideas about a topic into a logical order. Outlines help us organize major topics, subtopics, and supporting details. Researchers benefit greatly from outlines while writing by addressing which topic to cover in what order.

                    📏 What is the basic outline format for a paper?

                    The most basic outline format consists of: an introduction, a minimum of three topic paragraphs, and a conclusion.

                    🌫️ When should I make a paper outline?

                    You should make an outline before starting to write your research paper. This will help you organize the main ideas and arguments you want to present in your topic.

                    🏢 How many levels of organization does an outline have?

                    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.

                    • Consistency: ensure every heading has a similar tone. State the topic or write short sentences for each heading but avoid doing both.
                    • Organization: Higher levels of organization are more generally stated and each supporting level becomes more specific. The introduction and conclusion will never be lower than the first level of organization.
                    • Support: Each main idea should have two or more supporting topics. If your research does not have enough information to support the main idea you are presenting, you should, in general, complete additional research or revise the outline.