How to Create a Term Paper Outline

Some teachers require the outline before the term paper is written.

A term paper outline breaks down the paper in a hierarchical manner. Most students find it helpful to write the outline before writing the term paper. If there is enough information in the outline, the term paper will be easier to write. An outline should include information such as the source for the information of the paper including the author and publisher.

Instructions

1. Structure your outline. Make a list of the key points of your term paper or draw a diagram. List the information, such as the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion separately.

2. Write a separate paragraph for each major point of the term paper. Write a topic sentence for each paragraph. Under the topic sentence, include the citations and a note explaining the relevancy. In the citations, include the source of your information, author name, publisher and page number where the information was found.

3. Write the outline using index cards. You can keep your term paper outline organized using index cards. Each paragraph should have its own index card, including the citation and note explaining its relevancy. If using index cards, it is easy to rearrange the information in the outline by moving the cards around. When you have everything correct, write the outline on paper.

4. Go over your outline before writing your term paper. Double-check sources and information, and make sure you have covered, in your outline, all the topics you will write about.

References

• Virginia Tech: Procedures for Writing a Term Paper
• Writing Services: How to Make a Perfect Term Paper Outline
• State University of New York at Albany: How to Write an Outline