research paper

Developing your Research Outline:

The purpose of the research outline is to organize the research that you have conducted into a format that will eventually become the final paper. Once you have identified your sub-topics in Pt. I, and generated your research notecards in Pt. II, developing your research outline should be relatively simple.

I. Introduction:

1. Opening statement, question, or quote designed to grasp the reader’s attention.

2. Educate the reader by providing important background information on the Topic.

3. Present your Essential Question along with a very basic description of what the reader will be reading.

II. Body:

In the body, you must divide the Essential Question into sub-topics and structure their paragraphs accordingly.

1. Topic Sentence for sub-topic #1

a.) Support w/citations

b.) Support w/citations

c.) Support w/citations

d.) Support w/citations

e.) Conclusion sentence that provides flow into the next paragraph

2. Topic Sentence for sub-topic #2

a.) Support w/citations

b.) Support w/citations

c.) Support w/citations

d.) Support w/citations

e.) Conclusion sentence that provides flow into the next paragraph

3. Topic Sentence for sub-topic #3

a.) Support w/citations

b.) Support w/citations

c.) Support w/citations

d.) Support w/citations

e.) Conclusion sentence that provides flow into the next paragraph

*Repeat steps according to the number of sub-topics that are identified.

III. Conclusion:

1. Summarize main points.

2. If appropriate, describe your own feelings on the research.

3. Provide closure for the reader.

Sample Research Paper Outline:

I. Introduction

A. The literary genius of Shakespeare

B. Shakespeare’s influence on culture and entertainment.

C. How did Shakespeare’s personal life influence his writing?

II. Body

A. Sub-Topic #1: Early Life

1. Family

a. Father

b. Mother

2. Marriage

a. Life of Anne Hathaway

b. Reference in Shakespeare’s Poems

B. Sub-Topic #2: Literary Works

1. Plays

a. Tragedies

i. Hamlet

ii. Romeo and Juliet

b. Comedies

i. The Tempest

ii. Much Ado About Nothing

c. Histories

i. King John

ii. Richard III

iii. Henry VIII

2. Sonnets

3. Other Poems

C. Sub-Topic #3: His Later Years

1. Last Two Plays

2. Retired to Stratford

a. Death

b. Burial

III. Conclusion

A. Analytical Summary

B. Thesis Reworded

C. Concluding Statement