Research and term paper writing guidelines

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Suggestions for Newcomers: If you have no Clue How to Write an Outline for a Thesis

Writing a great outline for a thesis involves knowing the general structure of outline writing as well as that of a thesis essay or longer paper.  An outline provides what the flow or the article will be.  It organizes key points and concepts neatly together, and it helps keep you focused and on track.  Here are suggestions if you have no clue on how to write the outline for your thesis. 

First, Know the General Structure for a Thesis

• A thesis has four major parts, a title, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
• Within the major parts are other key components.
•  The introduction introduces the topic and contains the thesis statement.
• The body of a thesis contains supporting evidence and research for the thesis statement.
• The conclusion contains a summary of the evidence and research and restates the original thesis statement. 

Second, Draw out the Skeleton of an Outline

• An outline utilizes roman numerals, capital letters, regular numbers, and lowercase letters in that order.
• Take a sheet of paper and write out the skeleton of an outline vertically beginning with roman numerals I, II, III, and IV.  Leave plenty of space equally between numerals II,III, and IV.
• Then after numerals II,III, and IV write out the capital letters A and B for each one by dropping down one line and indenting under the roman numeral. 
• After each capital letter, do the same thing but now with regular numbers.  Do you see a pattern developing? This is a blue print or skeleton of your thesis.
• If you need further organizing points, you would then use the lower case letters to separate each point under the normal letters.

Then, Incorporate the Thesis Key Parts into the Outline. 

I.  Title

II. Introduction

A.    Overall point of the Thesis

    B.  Thesis Statement

III. Body

A.    Supporting Evidence One

1. What?

2. Why?

     a. answers why with a valid point

     b. if needed, answers why with another valid point

    B.  Supporting Evidence Two

    C.  Supporting Evidence Three

IV. Conclusion

A.    Summary of Body

B.    Thesis statement restated. 

As long as you understand the structure of a thesis as well as the structure of an outline, you can easily incorporate the two together and then begin to write your thesis.  The great thing about creating an outline is that it is within the outline where you do all the hard work.  Once you begin writing the paper, the writing will be easier, flow well, and focused.