Writing an Outline

Chart the course of your research paper by creating an outline. This should communicate the major sections, headings, and paragraphs within your paper, with some notes or representation of the main points to be included in each. You can think of your outline as the frame of a house or the skeleton of a body. Essentially it is the guiding structure of your research paper. Remember to indicate sources you are drawing from and citing in each section of the outline. Consult the University Writing Center Guide for Using an Outline for additional help in creating an outline for a research paper. (Customize with specific requirements or preferred format for outline as applicable).

The Information Literacy Toolkit, created by University of Texas Libraries, was adapted by Portland State University Library in July 2019 and is licensed CC BY-NC.