How to Write a Paper Outline

Writing a paper for your college course can be a difficult matter. You are overflowing with ideas but you can't always organize them on paper-or say them as eloquently as you would like. If this describes you, you are in need of an outline to organize your thoughts. A basic outline can help you rearrange your ideas, set your goals, write a better paper, and fly through the writing process. If you are already feeling stressed out, take a minute to gather your thoughts and create an outline, it will save you time in the long run.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Before you begin creating an outline, it's important to understand the style and format of an outline. An outline is a very basic document that simply states the skeletal structure of your paper.

2. 
    

   The easiest way to begin writing your outline is (quite frankly) in outline format, but anything with a bulleted list or roman numerals to help you keep track of your ideas will work well. Start by writing what you want the title of your paper to be. At the top of the page insert the name of the professor, followed by a colon, and then the name of the class. For example "Dane Richards: Writing 1210"

3. 
    

   Now you are ready to begin writing the outline for your paper. The first thing you will need is a hook. Think of a nice little story or analogy (quote's or interesting facts work well too) to introduce your topic. Shorten this to a simple bulleted statement (it doesn't require all the parts of speech like a sentence might, just get your ideas down on paper).

4. 
    

   Below the hook state the thesis of your paper. This is the most important part of your outline. The thesis is what you are planning to write about. Phrase it in the form of a statement (Make your thesis a full sentence, with all the proper grammar). An example of a thesis is "People who want to be healthier get more exercise."

5. 
    

   Once you have finished the thesis you are ready to begin outlining your paper. Create a Category for each body paragraph. Under the heading, place three or four bullet points to support the heading. These points can also have sub points if you are feeling adventurous.

6. Continue outlining until you have finished the conclusion. Your outline should look like a bulleted list showing the general shape of your paper. Once you have an outline completed, all you need to do is fill in enough words to complete sentences all the sentences, edit it, and print!

[waters]

on 7/8/2009 Good tips on how to write a paper outline.

[computerctrl]

on 7/7/2009 I never created any kind of outline when I first started writing but once you learn how to do it, it really keeps all your thoughts organized. Great tips.