Outlining The Research Paper

Adapted from: Shawn ChangBy: Hope L. Crenshaw

1. Do you think that creating an outline is necessary for you to write a good paper? Why or Why not?

2. At what point of the writing process do you create an outline?

3. Was it easy to create an outline for this paper? What were some of the challenges, if any, you encountered in outlining your research paper.

Discussion (3-5 minutes)

Generally created after you decide on the topic and before you start the write-up.

When writing a research paper, creating an outline will help you:-- examine the connection between the literature review and the intro., body, and conclusion,-- re-examine whether your literature review provides sufficient background for your research questions, --prioritize your information.

Create an Outline? Now?

There are many ways to create/organize an outline.

Outlines vary in length and depth. Don’t follow outlines blindly!! Choose which structure works best for you. Example: Handout 1, Handout 2, and

Handout 3.

Examples of Research Paper Outlines:

Main headings

Subheadings

Advantages of Approach

Disadvantages of the Approach

Handout 1

Handout 2

Handout 3

Activity 1: In groups of three, discuss the outline structures. (5 minutes)

Discussion: 1. Discuss the chart above.

2. Which features are most important? Which features are least important?

3. Which features will you incorporate into your own outline? Why?

Overview of Headings

There are five levels of heading recommended by APA. These are Level 1,

Level 2,

Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5. All major headings (i.e., Level 1 Headings) are bold,

centered, and title case. What is title case? Well, it means that each of the main words

is capitalized (e.g., “Each of the Main Words is Capitalized”).

Subsection Headings

All subsection headings (i.e., Level 2 Headings) are left justified, bold, and

title case. Notice there are no extra lines between headings and the preceding or

following paragraphs. All text is double-spaced.

Sub-sub headings. The sub-sub headings (i.e., Level 3 Headings) are (a)

indented, (b) bold, (c) sentence case (i.e., only the first letter of the sub-sub heading is

capitalized), and (d)followed by a period. The text immediately follows sub-sub

headings on the same line. By the way, these headings are actually not called “sub-sub

headings”; I just like saying ‘sub-sub’. I also like saying “bubbles.”

Crazy APA Heading Rules

Important Headings: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Create meaningful subheadings in your outline based on your main ideas.

Ensure that all subheadings are: ◦ Are structured and can guide the reader,◦ Are logically connected,◦ Are tied in with your topic and thesis statement.

Ensure that in the body of the outline, a topic sentence is provided in each subheading.

Points to Consider When Outlining

Open a research paper either from this class or another and look to the headings.

Discuss heading differences with your group members?

Use your literature review and the handouts to identify the headings and the subheadings you will use for your outline.

Write or analyze the headings you are using for your paper.

Headings and Subheadings Activity (10-15 minutes)

What makes a good title?

Academic Titles Revisited

A good title should contain a gerund, but not a true verb.

Bad Titles: Should violent TV be banned? Why TV promotes violence. Violence on TV: Should we be worried?

Better Titles: The Social Impact of Television Violence Controlling Television Violence in the United States Five Possible Consequences of Televised Violence

I. The title should be a noun phrase, not a sentence or a noun clause.

A good title informs the reader of the specific subject to be discussed.

Bad Titles: Computers in the Modern World Effects of Technology Electricity and It's Impact on Our Lives

Better Titles: The Use of Computers in Elementary Classrooms The Impact of E-mail on Interpersonal Relationships Alternatives to Electrical Power in Rural Hospitals

II. The title should indicate the narrow topic of the paper.

Nonstandard or misused word forms create a negative first impression. Ambiguous forms create confusion or, sometimes, laughter. Check word forms in a dictionary.

Bad Titles: Raising Violence in the U.S. Criminalism in American Society Criminal Ties in U.S.-Japanese Trade

Better Titles: Causes of the Rising U.S. Crime Rate Reducing the Juvenile Crime Rate Organized Crime and International Trade

III. The title should be unambiguous and use only standard English word forms

1. Get into groups of 3 (If there is an odd group, I will join) and decide in which order you will present.

2. The first person will pull up their outline on the computer screen.

3. That person is to spend around 4 minutes explaining the following four points:1. Research question2. Thesis statement3. 3-5 Points of argument4. 1-3 Opposing Views

4. The next 4 minutes should be dedicated to answering question from your classmates regarding those four topics.

Presenting Papers Activity