As you compose your first draft, you may find additional information you didn’t have when you made the outline, but that’s okay. Even though creating an outline comes early in the research essay writing process, you will still need to know your topic thoroughly and will have collected research, so you will have an idea how you will utilize it in the essay. Also note that some instructors will want you to write the outline using full sentences, but more often, you’ll simply write a few words to communicate your points.Īlso note in the examples above that following each Roman Numeral, capitalized letter, Arabic numeral, and lowercase letter, you’ll insert a period and one space.Ĭreating an outline before you begin writing a long research paper will prevent you from wasting time reading unrelated research or veering off point. Conclusion – The Importance of Knowing about the Library, Its Materials and Services.Īs you construct your outline, keep in mind that for every I you’ll need a II for every A, you’ll need a B for every 1) you’ll need a 2), and so on. Other Assistance (e.g., Copying Facilities, Interlibrary Loans) Microforms: Microfilm, Microcard, MicroficheĬ. Abstracts (In Alphabetical Order: Abstracts in Anthropology, etc.)ĥ.) Pamphlets, Clippings, Nonprint Materials Specialized Bibliographies and Indexes (In Alphabetical Order: Art, Biology, Etc.)Ĭ. Indexes to Periodicals (Newspapers, Magazine, and Television News Broadcasts)ī. Specialized Dictionaries and Encyclopedias (In Alphabetical Order: Art, Astronomy, Etc.)Ī. General Works (Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Biographical Works, Yearbooks, Atlases, Gazettes)ī. Methods of Locating Books in the Online CatalogĪ. Books about the Library (Examples: Gates, Cook, Patterson, Baker)Ī. Programs of Orientation and Instructionġ.) Pamphlets, Handbooks, Other Materials Distributed by the LibraryĢ.) Class Visits, Tours, Lectures, Coursesī. Thesis: Knowing How to Use the Library Is Important When Doing a Research Paper.Ī. When the outline is complete, each Roman numeral should equal the number of paragraphs in the paper.īelow is another sample outline, this one more detailed for a longer paper: The third “III” for the second body, and so on. The next Roman numeral, or “II” will be for first body paragraph. So, the first Roman numeral, or “I” would be for the introductory paragraph. The main points of your topic will look like an abbreviated topic sentence for each paragraph. Describe an influential person in your lifeġ.) Tutor at foreign language summer campĢ.) Counselor for suicide prevention hotline Next Major point follows Roman numeral II.īelow is an example of an outline for a short paper on “The College Application Process.” If you are composing a longer research paper, simply add Roman numerals to follow your main points:Ī. The next minor point below the major point. Ii.) Use small Roman numerals with one parenthesis to separate.Ĭ. I.) Sometimes, there are even smaller subdivisions. Each minor point must refer to the major point above.ġ.) If there are subpoints below the minor point, use Arabic numerals.Ģ.) Indent each point according to its importance.ģ.) Each subpoint must be related to the minor point it follows.Ī. If there are points below subpoints, use lower case letters.ī. Indent below the subpoint must relate to point above. If not, don’t worry you shouldn’t have to count too high!ī. Hopefully you remember your Roman numerals from grade school. The outline format always begins with Roman numeral I, and follows these characters, in this order: This is the most common type of outline, and often the style your instructor will expect. Always follow your instructor’s guidelines, as they may require certain elements for their assignment. Writing a research paper takes concentrated time and effort, and the more efficient you can be, the better.īelow is one way to format a traditional Roman numeral outline. A good outline will help organize your thoughts and focus your research, saving you time. A working outline for your own use – perhaps simply a detailed list or graphic idea map – can be as simple as you need it, but if your instructor requires an outline of your research paper for a grade, the stakes are a bit higher.Īn outline works as a blueprint for your paper a construction worker wouldn’t begin to build a house without a blueprint, and a writer shouldn’t begin a long research paper without a similar plan. Many students complain about outlines one recent student I worked with said he is confidant how to write his paper, but lost and confused when it comes to the required outline assignment. We get lots of questions in the Writing Centers about outlines, from how to format to how to organize them.
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