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Steps to writing a paper (NEW): 7. Create outline

If you’re finding it  challenging to get started on your paper, consider creating an outline (structured plan). Creating an outline before writing can help organize your thoughts, speed up the process, clarify relationships between ideas, identify gaps in arguments, and ensure logical flow. In other words, if you map out your argument first, writing the actual paper will be that much easier.

Basic Structure of an Outline

There are multiple formats for creating a paper outline. Below is a general template. At the end of the day the best type of outline to use is the one that is easiest to organize your thoughts and research.

  1. Introduction
    1. Start off by stating some background information on your topic
    2. State your research question or thesis statement
  2. First main point
    1. First supporting point
      1.  Details about supporting point
      2. Details about supporting point