How to write an Outline of a Research paper in MLA Style

The importance of the outline

The outline`s first assisting objective is to break down information into smaller logical pieces. Simplified navigation through text is great, but after navigation, comes the part that is more valuable: managing and applying this information.

Regarding dissertations or any other papers with numerous amounts of pages, the presence of an outline or a simple plan is obvious. It must be quite hard to navigate through an enormous text without visual structure to support it. Concerning less weighty papers, an outline helps to concentrate on the key aspects that are under survey.

Having a writing plan in a small paper is not vital, because its main goal is simply to structure the text, and the Modern Language Association (MLA) writing standard doesn`t demand it in research papers. It still doesn`t mean that the intentional omission of a plan of the whole survey is a sensible decision. An outline helps to follow all formal aspects of the research study.

In some cases where an outline is required, there should be a special way of formatting it. Here the most used technique is the MLA writing standard. It provides a coherent set of rules that guides you to compose the plan.

Format Structure

Everything has its start, and for the outline, this start is a thesis statement. It usually includes two or three and in some cases a single sentence. It is not important how many words you use for the thesis in contrast to the sense of these words. The thesis statement aims to reflect the main idea of the research and to set a tone on what research is about.

After the opening part of the plan – the thesis statement – the body of the work usually follows. In order to make it more convenient to write, the MLA writing standard proposes to divide subsequent thoughts into chapters. It is important to know, that all information divided into chapters should support the thesis statement.

As every chapter needs a structural designation, MLA formatting advises the following.

• Headings of sections are numbered with roman numerals (I, II, III).
• If these sections are hereinafter subdivided, Capitalized letters are used (A, B, C).
• For the next level follow Arabic numerals (1,2,3),
• Finally for the last subdivision of a section come lower case letters (a, b, c).

The page numeration of an

MLA research paper

uses small roman numerals (i, ii, iii). The MLA standard also recommends a writing plan in complete sentences.

Check-list Of a Good MLA Outline For A Research Paper

• In cases where you are allowed to indicate corrections on printed research papers, use carets (ʸ) to show it. Correction is easy if you are submitting an electronic copy.
• Write complete sentences to support your thesis statement.
• All capital letters should be followed by phrases that offer proof, support evidence, or an explanation of the main idea.
• Use examples and statistics to expound your points.  Here is an example:

The Template of MLA Research Paper Outline

Now, take a look at a sample template of the MLA research paper outline below.

Student Name: Steve Mark Johnson

Ms. Lindsay

Biology 326

29th March 2019

Research On The Effects Of Global Warming

Introduction paragraph

Thesis:

Unless governments take serious measures toward curbing global warming, humans risk high temperatures, skin diseases, loss of plant and animal life.

I. Climatic change (main phrase supporting thesis statement/introduction/topic sentence)

A. High temperatures. (First supporting body paragraph)

1. Skin diseases. (Second phrase – offering support/evidence to the main idea)

2. Food shortage. ((Third phrase – details to explain it)

II. Melting Ice gracious

B. Rising water levels.

1. Death of aquatic life

… …

Conclusion paragraph

(The last paragraph after every section above should summarize your main points in a different way.)

Thinking Of The Reader

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The initial outline of the research paper consists of separate sections, which are united by a single logic of the study. It is also worth noting, the absence of a consecutive plan dooms all work to failure.

A simple example of using a writing plan is to refer to previously aligned ideas of the author without losing sight of the main thought of research. While writing the research paper the author concentrates on his own ideas, but an outline gives a chance to think about the reader. The information included in a writing plan helps readers to orient themselves throughout the structure of the study. While not compulsory to use, and outline shows the effort spent on the studies’ creation.