Research Paper Outline

Research Paper Outline

I. Introduction (1-2 paragraphs)
A. Engage the reader
B. Establish background, necessary context, or special terms
C. Thesis Statement
1. Topic
2. Position
3. Subtopics
a. Subtopic 1
b. Subtopic 2
c. Subtopic 3

II. Subtopic 1
A. Subtopic 1, pt. 1
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next part of Subtopic 1.
B. Subtopic 1, pt. 2
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next subtopic. Suggest a relationship to the last part of
Subtopic 1.
C. Subtopic 1, pt. 3
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next Subtopic. Suggest a relationship to the next
Subtopic.

III. Subtopic 2
A. Subtopic 2, pt. 1
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next subtopic to the next part of Subtopic 2.
B. Subtopic 2, pt. 2
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next subtopic. Suggest a relationship to the last part of
Subtopic 2.
C. Subtopic 2, pt. 3
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next subtopic. Suggest a relationship to the next Subtopic.

IV. Subtopic 3
A. Subtopic 3, pt. 1
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next part of Subtopic 3.
B. Subtopic 3, pt. 2
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the next subtopic. Suggest a relationship to the last part of
Subtopic 3.
C. Subtopic 3, pt. 3
1. Topic sentence
2. Present evidence (usually a quote from the text, but could be a paraphrase).
NOTE: Cite the source immediately following a quotation, e.g. (Miner 224).
3. Explain in your own words explain what the quote is saying, or "means."
4. Analyze why the quote is important to your the position in your thesis.
5. Connect this idea to the Conclusion

V. Conclusion
A. Restate your thesis (in different words. Do not cut and paste the thesis from
your introduction).
B. Pull together the three subtopics by explaining how they are connected to each
other and how they support the position in your thesis.
C. Expand on the implications
1. Suggest potential ramifications, solutions, next steps in analysis.
2. Make general observations based on your close analysis of the specifics of the
topic.