Making an Outline for a Paper
Making an outline for a paper is part of the planning process before writing the actual paper.
Outlining helps you to line out your ideas hence making the writing process easier.
Making an outline also helps you to write an excellent paper since you will get the opportunity to cancel out any mistakes before writing your final paper.
The following is an outline for a paper:
1. Introduction
The introduction should have some of the following elements, no matter what type of paper you are writing:
- Start with an attention grabber. It could be a short story, example, statistic, or historical context that introduces the paper topic.
- Provide an overview of any issues involved with the subject.
- Define any key terminology needed to understand your paper’s topic.
- Quote or paraphrase sources revealing the controversial nature of the subject for argumentative academic papers.
- Give a highlight of the background information on the topic needed to understand the direction of the paper.
- Write an antithesis paragraph, presenting the primary opposing views for argumentative papers only.
- Finish your introduction with a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should:
- Explain what the overall paper will focus on.
- Briefly outline the main points in the paper
2. Body
Your paper should have a body, which is usually made up of 3 or more paragraphs. Each body paragraph should address a specific issue and help you prove your thesis statement. The body of your paper should include the following:
- A Clear presentation of the main points of the paper as listed in the thesis statement.
- Give strong examples, details, and explanations to support each main point.
- If you paper is argumentative, address any counterarguments and refute those arguments.
- If writing a research paper, use strong evidence from sources; paraphrases, summaries, and quotations that support the main points.
In addition, you should adhere to the following tips in order to come up with an excellent paper:
- Use Standard English.
- Write in the third person unless when otherwise directed.
- Avoid slang terms, clichés and colloquial expressions.
- Avoid gender-biased and sexist language.
- Avoid controversial language.
- Be direct. Use active rather than passive voice.
- Be clear and concise
3. Conclusion
Include the following in your conclusion:
- Restate your thesis statement in different words from the introduction.
- Briefly summarize each main point found in the body of the paper.
- Give a statement of the consequences of not embracing the position for an argumentative paper.
- End with a strong statement. This should be an appropriate, meaningful final sentence that ties the whole point of the paper together.