How to Write a Research Paper Outline In 7 Steps,Basic Format to Follow in APA Outline
WebMaking an APA outline is the first thing to do in creating a structure on what will be written in the paper and how it is written. There is a grammatical format that you have to follow while writing your paper to make it sound WebCrucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper. However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in WebAlthough published articles differ in format from manuscripts submitted for publication or student papers (e.g., different line spacing, font, margins, and column format), articles WebAPA style paper APA style paper Writing a research or term paper that needs to be in APA format? Use this APA-style report template to get started, with styles formatted to Webapa research paper outline template beginning on the next page is an outline template (in microsoft word format), which is filled in with sample to show you DismissTry Ask an ... read more
During his career, James won four NBA Championships. James was named NBA Finals MVP all four times he was eligible. Like Jordan, James twice played for the US Olympics Basketball Team. James won the gold medal as part of the US basketball team. James won the gold medal again in James was selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game eighteen times. James won the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award three times. James has a rich life outside of basketball as well. More than Jordan, James is known for his philanthropic work. James started the LeBron James Family Foundation charity. James fearlessly took public stances on controversial social issues. Aside from charity, James has a few other distinctions from his lifetime.
James starred in the Space Jam remake. Of course, Michael Jordan is better. Decimal research paper outlines forgo the alphanumeric system and instead use a system of numbers with increasing decimal points—with main topics listed as whole numbers 1 or 1. Each new piece of information uses the subsequent number 1. You would write the content for each line in quick blurbs, just like the original alphanumeric formal. Decimal research paper outlines are the most thorough but can get complicated. Your outline is not the first step in writing a research paper. Before that, you first need to choose a thesis and then gather primary and secondary sources to back it up. Your thesis is essentially what the research paper is about. Collect all the relevant sources and data early on so that you know what to write about.
For help on how to cite your sources, use our free Citation Generator. Keep in mind that the outline is just one part of writing a research paper. If you want to read more advice, take a look at our full guide on how to write a research paper. Go through your research and note each topic, subtopic, and supporting point. Be sure to keep related information together. Remember that everything you discuss in your paper should relate to your thesis, so omit anything that seems tangential. Simple papers only require simple outlines, but more advanced topics with lots of research can benefit from more detailed outlines. Likewise, consider the length and amount of topics. The decimal format can help organize long papers, but feel free to stick with alphanumeric if it makes you comfortable.
Before actually writing the research paper outline, think long and hard about the order in which you present your topics. What is the most logical sequence? What structure would communicate most clearly to your readers, who may be unfamiliar with these topics? Keep in mind that some topics only make sense if they come after other topics. Before presenting new findings or revelations, you may want to add background or contextual information first. All other factors being equal, a chronological sequence is often the most logical structure. Rather than writing your research paper outline entirely at once, start with just the framework.
Try putting the main topics in order without yet including any subtopics or supporting points. Starting with the framework gives you a clear look at the backbone of your research paper. If you want to get meticulous, you can add a few notes about sentence structure. This is your last chance before you begin the first draft. Double-check that all your topics are presented in the optimal order for your reader. A research paper outline is a supporting document that defines the structure of a research paper. The author creates the outline before the first draft to stay on track when writing. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Note: This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual i.
The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style can be found here. Media Files: APA Sample Student Paper , APA Sample Professional Paper. This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader. Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student and professional papers i. These differences mostly extend to the title page and running head. Crucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper.
Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Amanda Tust is a fact-checker, researcher, and writer with a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Writing a psychology paper can be an overwhelming task for students. From picking a good topic to finding high-quality sources to cite , each step in the process comes with its own challenges. Formatting your paper in APA style can also be challenging, especially if you have never used the format before. Luckily, there are strategies you can use to make writing a psychology paper using APA format easier—one of which is creating an outline.
APA format is the official style of the American Psychological Association APA. It can be used to style papers written for university courses as well as in professional psychology publications. Formatting dictates how papers are styled, which includes organizational structure, page layout, and how information is presented. Learning the basics of APA format is necessary to write effective psychology papers and reports. However, psychology is not the only field of study that relies on APA format. Other social science disciplines such as education, nursing, economics, and sociology also use APA format. A strong paper starts with a solid outline.
Creating an outline is the first step you should take as you begin to research, organize, and write your paper. Unless your instructor specifically requires outlines, you usually will not need to turn yours in with your final paper, but that doesn't mean you should skip the step. Developing an outline can help you organize your writing and ensures that you effectively communicate your paper's main points and arguments. There is no specific APA format for creating an outline, which means the final form that your outline takes will depend on what your instructor requires as well as your personal preferences. While the official APA publication manual does not provide specific guidance for outline preparation, it does specify general rules to keep in mind as you are writing.
For example, according to APA style, papers need to be written in a widely available font. Traditionally, Times New Roman in point font is used, but other legible serif and sans serif fonts like Arial or Georgia in point fonts are also acceptable. Your paper's text should be double-spaced. Each page should have 1-inch margins on all sides top, bottom, left, and right , and you need to include a page number in the upper right corner of each page. Your outline will include three key sections: an introduction, the main body, and a conclusion. In addition to following the basic rules for APA format writing , there are also specific guidelines for using headings and subheadings you will want to follow as you create your outline.
If you need additional subheadings within the initial capitalized letter subheadings, start with Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3 , then lower case letters a, b, c , then Arabic numerals inside parentheses [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Before you start thinking about different methods of organization, review what your instructor has provided for guidance. They may have specific requirements for what to include in your outline, as well as how it needs to be structured and formatted. Some instructors require outlines to use decimal format. This structure uses Arabic decimals instead of Roman numerals or letters. For example, the main headings in an outline using decimal format would be 1. After you have reviewed your instructor's requirements, you can consider your own preferences for organizing your outline.
For example, you could choose to format your headings and subheadings as full sentences or use shorter headings that summarize the content. You can also use different approaches to organizing the lettering and numbering in your outline's subheadings. Whether you are creating your outline according to your instructor's guidelines or following your own organizational preferences, the most important thing is that you are consistent. Your outline should begin on a new page. Before you start writing, check that your word processor does not automatically insert unwanted text or notations such as letters, numbers, or bullet points as you type. If it does, you should have the option of turning off auto-formatting. Your instructor may require you to specify your thesis statement in your outline.
For example, it may be presented at the top of your outline or included as a subheading. Be sure to review your assignment instructions to find out where your thesis should be placed. If you are required to turn in your outline before you begin working on your paper, keep in mind that you may also need to include a list of references that you plan to use. Here is a step-by-step example of how to outline a paper using APA format. The topic you choose should be one that you can build and develop a compelling paper around. Start by developing a strong thesis for your paper that is based on the topic you've chosen, then begin to research the topic. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you are researching:. Here's what step one would look like formatting according to APA style:.
Choose a good topic for your paper. Develop a strong thesis. Begin with an introduction that summarizes your topic, provides some background information, and presents your main thesis. Next, write the main body of your paper based on your working outline. As you write, there are a few important points to keep in mind:. Write an introduction that summarizes your topic, gives some background information, and presents your main thesis. In your conclusion, briefly summarize the main points of your paper and present possible avenues or topics for future research that might be needed. Here's what the third step would look like formatted with APA style:.
Write your conclusion. Summarize your main points briefly. Present ideas for possible future research that might be needed. The final version of your outline should reflect your completed draft. At this stage, be sure to carefully review and edit your paper. During the final step you will update your final outline to reflect your completed draft. Also, be sure to review and edit your paper. Here's what your completed outline would look like in APA format:. Begin writing your paper. Writing an introduction that summarizes your topic, gives some background information, and presents your main thesis. Write the main body of your paper based on your working outline.
Update your final outline to reflect your completed draft. Be sure to review and edit your paper. Understanding the basics of APA format makes writing papers that require it much easier. While APA format does not provide specific rules for writing outlines, you can still create a strong roadmap for your paper using general APA style guidance, your instructor's requirements, and your own personal organizational preferences. About APA Style. American Psychological Association. APA Style: Font. American Psychological Association APA. APA Style: Page Header. Types of Outlines and Samples. Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Writing Center: Outlines. Mississippi College. APA Style: Headings. APA Style: Line Spacing. APA Style: Margins. APA Style: Paragraph Alignment and Indentation.
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 7th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Student Resources. By Kendra Cherry. Kendra Cherry. Learn about our editorial process. Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article.
Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. Amanda Tust. Fact checked by Amanda Tust. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents.
APA Sample Paper,APA Outline Examples
WebJun 2, · The main purpose of a research paper outline is to structure the topics, data, and all other inclusions in the paper (like direct quotes) so you stay organized and don’t Webapa research paper outline template beginning on the next page is an outline template (in microsoft word format), which is filled in with sample to show you DismissTry Ask an WebAPA style paper APA style paper Writing a research or term paper that needs to be in APA format? Use this APA-style report template to get started, with styles formatted to WebCrucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper. However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in WebMaking an APA outline is the first thing to do in creating a structure on what will be written in the paper and how it is written. There is a grammatical format that you have to follow while writing your paper to make it sound WebDec 4, · A research paper outline is a skeleton or blueprint of a research paper, enlisting the potential contents of different parts of the research paper that you are to ... read more
Citation Generator. Profit and loss. Learn about our editorial process. Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student and professional papers i. For example, a basic college research paper outline for a one-page assignment might contain only a list of four or five paragraph topics, whereas a formal research paper for a scientific study might outline each sentence in all five parts of a research paper: introduction, review of literature, methods, results, and discussion.
Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student and professional papers i. If you need apa research paper outline subheadings within the initial capitalized letter subheadings, start with Arabic numerals 1, apa research paper outline, 2, 3then lower case letters a, b, cthen Arabic numerals inside parentheses [ 123 ]. Michael Jordan is often considered the greatest basketball player of all time. It keeps your paper's layout tidy and also ensures relevancy. See Our Editorial Process. Your goal should be specific and measurable.
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