A research paper outline template gives you a ready-made structure: an introduction that ends in your thesis, body sections that each support one part of your argument with evidence, and a conclusion. Below you will find a template you can copy, a step-by-step guide to filling it in, a completed example, and the differences between topic and sentence outlines, so you can turn a pile of research notes into a plan your instructor will approve.
What a Research Paper Outline Does
An outline is the blueprint for your paper. It shows the order of your points, which evidence supports each one, and how everything connects to your thesis. Writing one before you draft saves time in three ways:
- It exposes gaps early. If a section has no sources under it, you know to research more before you write, not the night before the deadline.
- It keeps the paper focused. Every heading must support the thesis, so points that drift off-topic are easy to spot and cut.
- It makes drafting faster. With the structure decided, you can write one section at a time, in any order, without losing the thread.
Many instructors also grade a formal outline as a separate step, so it is worth doing well. Purdue OWL’s guide to outlining covers the basic principles, such as keeping parallel points at the same level.
If your outline will be graded, check the rubric for what it must include. Some instructors want a sentence outline with a final thesis and a list of sources, while others only want the main points. Submitting the outline early also gives you feedback on your argument before you have invested hours in a full draft.
Research Paper Outline Template
Copy this template and replace each line with your own content. It uses the common alphanumeric format: Roman numerals for main sections, capital letters for subpoints, and numbers for supporting details.
- I. Introduction
- A. Hook: a fact, question or brief example that introduces the topic
- B. Background: the context a reader needs, including key terms
- C. Thesis statement: your main claim in one sentence
- D. Roadmap (optional): the main points the paper will cover
- II. Body Section 1: First Main Point
- A. Topic sentence that states the point
- B. Evidence 1, with source
- C. Evidence 2, with source
- D. Analysis: how the evidence supports the thesis
- III. Body Section 2: Second Main Point
- A. Topic sentence
- B. Evidence, with sources
- C. Analysis
- IV. Body Section 3: Third Main Point or Counterargument
- A. The strongest opposing view, stated fairly
- B. Evidence for that view
- C. Your response and why your thesis still holds
- V. Conclusion
- A. Thesis restated in new words
- B. Synthesis of the main points
- C. Significance, implications or questions for further research
- VI. References or Works Cited
For a longer paper, add more body sections and break each into numbered details. A scientific or empirical paper usually follows a fixed pattern instead: introduction, methods, results and discussion. Use that structure if your assignment asks for one.
How to Complete the Template Step by Step
- Write your working thesis first. Put it under the introduction. Every other line of the outline has to support it, so it is your filter for what stays and what goes.
- Group your research notes. Sort your sources and notes into piles by idea. Each pile with enough evidence becomes a body section.
- Turn each group into a main point. Write the point as a short claim, not just a topic label. “Shade lowers street temperatures” is a point; “trees” is not.
- Order the sections deliberately. Common orders are chronological, from cause to effect, from least to most important, or problem then solution. Pick the one that makes your argument easiest to follow.
- Add evidence under each point. List the specific facts, data or quotations you will use, with the source next to each so you can cite it later.
- Plan the counterargument. Note the strongest objection and how you will answer it. Most research papers are stronger with one.
- Sketch the conclusion. Write a line on what your argument adds up to and why it matters.
Example: A Completed Research Paper Outline
Here is the template filled in for a short paper on urban heat. Notice that each main point is a claim, and each claim has evidence planned under it.
- I. Introduction
- A. Hook: on a summer afternoon, a paved city block can feel much hotter than a nearby park
- B. Background: the urban heat island effect and who is most exposed to it
- C. Thesis: cities should expand tree planting in their hottest neighborhoods, because shade lowers street temperatures and reduces heat illness more broadly than air conditioning subsidies
- II. Shade lowers street temperatures
- A. How tree canopy blocks sunlight and cools air through evaporation
- B. Evidence: temperature measurements comparing shaded and unshaded streets (journal source)
- C. Analysis: why lower street temperatures matter for people outdoors
- III. Tree planting reaches more vulnerable residents
- A. Who spends the most time outdoors: outdoor workers, transit riders, people without air conditioning
- B. Evidence: public health data on heat-related illness by neighborhood (government source)
- C. Analysis: a public good versus a household subsidy
- IV. Counterargument: trees take years to grow
- A. Opposing view: air conditioning helps immediately
- B. Response: combine short-term cooling centers with long-term planting
- V. Conclusion
- A. Restate the thesis
- B. Recommendation for city budgets and the questions future research should answer
With this outline done, each section can be drafted as a set of paragraphs in one or two sittings.
Topic Outline vs Sentence Outline
There are two common styles, and some instructors specify which one they want.
| Type | What each line contains | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Topic outline | Short phrases, such as “Cooling effect of tree canopy” | Early planning and short papers |
| Sentence outline | Complete sentences that state each point, such as “Tree canopy cools streets by blocking sunlight and through evaporation.” | Formal outlines that will be graded, and longer papers |
A sentence outline takes longer but makes drafting much faster, because many of your topic sentences are already written. Purdue OWL’s page on types of outlines shows both styles side by side.
How to Format a Research Paper Outline
Style guides such as APA and MLA focus on formatting the paper itself rather than the outline, so follow your instructor’s instructions first. If you need to submit the outline, these conventions are widely accepted:
- Alphanumeric format: Roman numerals (I, II, III), then capital letters (A, B, C), then numbers (1, 2, 3), then lowercase letters.
- Decimal format: 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, which some science and engineering courses prefer.
- Parallel structure: points at the same level use the same grammatical form, all phrases or all sentences.
- At least two subpoints: if you have an A, you need a B; otherwise fold the single point into the level above.
Format the outline page to match your paper, using the same font, margins and heading style. The APA paper format guidelines and the MLA Style Center cover those details, and our guide on how to format an APA paper walks through the setup.
Outlines for Different Types of Research Papers
The template above fits most argumentative and analytical papers. Other assignments call for a different shape, so adjust the body sections to match what you were asked to write.
| Paper type | Typical body structure | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Argumentative | Two or three supporting points, then a counterargument and rebuttal | Each point must support the thesis, and the counterargument must be stated fairly. |
| Analytical | Sections that each examine one part of the subject, such as a theme, a cause or a factor | Analysis, not summary: explain how and why, not just what. |
| Empirical or scientific | Introduction, methods, results, discussion | Methods must be detailed enough to repeat, and results come before interpretation. |
| Literature review | Themes or debates in the research, each with several sources compared | Organize by theme, not one source per paragraph. |
| Compare and contrast | Point-by-point sections or one block per subject | Use the same criteria for both subjects so the comparison is fair. |
If your assignment includes a rubric with required sections, such as a background section or a limitations section, add them to your outline as their own headings so nothing is missed. For empirical papers, our overview of research methodology explains how to describe and justify the methods section.
Turning Your Outline into a Draft
A good outline makes drafting much faster, as long as you use it actively rather than file it away.
- Draft one section at a time. Each body section of the outline usually becomes one to three paragraphs. Treat each section as a small writing task with its own goal.
- Start where you are strongest. You do not have to begin with the introduction. Many writers start with the body section they know best and write the introduction last.
- Turn points into topic sentences. In a sentence outline, the main points are often your topic sentences already. Copy them in and build the paragraph around them.
- Cite as you go. Because your outline lists a source next to each piece of evidence, you can add in-text citations while drafting instead of at the end.
- Update the outline when the argument shifts. If drafting changes your thesis or the order of points, revise the outline too, so it stays a reliable map for revision.
When the draft is complete, compare it with the outline one more time. Any section that wandered from its planned point is the first place to revise.
Common Outline Mistakes
- Topic labels instead of points. “Background” and “Evidence” tell you nothing about what you will argue. Write each main point as a claim.
- No thesis at the top. Without it, the outline is a list of things you read, not a plan for an argument.
- Evidence without sources. Note the source next to every piece of evidence now, or you will spend hours finding it again later.
- Uneven sections. If one section has five sources and another has none, research more or merge the weak section into another.
- Too much detail too soon. An outline is a plan, not a draft. If you are writing full paragraphs, move on to drafting.
Once your outline is ready, start drafting with the section you know best, not necessarily the introduction. Our guide on how to write a research paper takes you from outline to final draft, and if you are still choosing what to write about, browse our list of research paper topics. If your paper includes a literature review section, the UNC Writing Center’s guide to literature reviews explains how to organize sources by theme rather than one by one.
If you are short on time or stuck on structure, a tutor can review your outline and suggest how to strengthen it. You can post your research paper assignment and compare bids from tutors in your subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Main Parts of a Research Paper Outline?
A research paper outline has an introduction that ends with your thesis, body sections that each develop one main point with evidence and analysis, and a conclusion. Many outlines also include a counterargument section and a final line for references. Scientific papers often follow a fixed structure instead: introduction, methods, results and discussion.
How Long Should a Research Paper Outline Be?
Most outlines for a 5- to 10-page paper fit on one to two pages. The outline should be detailed enough to show every main point and the evidence for it, but it should not contain full paragraphs. If your instructor asks for a formal sentence outline, it will be longer, because each line is a complete sentence.
Do I Need a Thesis in My Outline?
Yes. The thesis belongs at the end of the introduction section, and it is the most important line in the outline. Every other point should support it. Treat it as a working thesis that you can revise as your research develops, and update the outline if the argument changes.
What Is the Difference Between a Topic Outline and a Sentence Outline?
A topic outline uses short phrases for each point, while a sentence outline uses complete sentences. Topic outlines are quicker and good for early planning. Sentence outlines take longer but make drafting easier, because your topic sentences are already written. Use the type your instructor asks for, or a sentence outline for formal, graded outlines.
Does APA or MLA Have a Required Outline Format?
Neither style guide sets a required outline format; both focus on how the finished paper is formatted. Follow your instructor’s requirements first. If none are given, use the alphanumeric format with Roman numerals, capital letters and numbers, and match the font, margins and spacing of your paper.
Should I Write the Outline Before or After Research?
Do some research first, then outline, then research more. A quick round of reading gives you enough to form a working thesis and main points. The outline then shows where your evidence is thin, so your second round of research is targeted instead of open-ended.
