Synthesis

Research Paper Outline

This sample outline shows a basic format for most academic papers. Your paper needs to have an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction A. Identify and explain subject and discuss any background information on the

topic needed to understand what direction the paper is headed. This is where you would give an overview of any issues involved with the topic.

B. State your reaction to the subject 1. Explain if you agreed or disagreed (if applicable) 2. State if you changed your mind and why (if applicable) 3. Discuss if the subject met your expectations 4. What did you learn?

C. Thesis Statement (state the focus of your paper)

II. Body (this is where you will present your main ideas of the paper as listed in your thesis. Give examples and details to support each main point. Use strong evidence from sources and remember to cite your references when in quotations and even if you are paraphrasing ideas and summaries that you read elsewhere. If this is a compare or contrast paper make sure that you also address any counterarguments.

If you need an extra visual for sentences, see sequence below. Of course there will be more than two paragraphs and three sentences in your paper but this gives you an idea for assistance throughout.

A. Topic Sentence 1. Supporting evidence 1 2. Supporting evidence 2 3. Supporting evidence 3

B. Topic Sentence 1. Supporting evidence 1 2. Supporting evidence 2 3. Supporting evidence 3

C. Topic Sentence 1. Supporting evidence 1 2. Supporting evidence 2 3. Supporting evidence 3

III. Conclusion A. Recap thesis statement B. Summarize each main point found in the body C. Conclusion statement should be meaningful and tie the whole paper together.

IV. Reference page in APA format Paper Topic:__________________________________________ Name:__________

Research Paper Outline

I. Introduction Possible ideas for the introduction (see front side of handout for suggestions): _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Thesis Statement (Usually the last sentence(s) in the introduction):

______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ II. Body (A paper may have a few or many main points; decide how many your paper will need) Main Point:____________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________ b. ______________________________________________________________ c. ______________________________________________________________

Main Point:____________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________ b. ______________________________________________________________ c. ______________________________________________________________

Main Point:____________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________ b. ______________________________________________________________ c. ______________________________________________________________

Main Point:____________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________ b. ______________________________________________________________ c. ______________________________________________________________

III. Conclusion Reworded Thesis (Usually found near the beginning of the conclusion): ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Other Ideas to Conclude: _________________________________________________ Clincher Ideas:_________________________________________________________

IV. Reference Page V. Appendix (if applicable)