How to write a research paper outline. Follow these steps to start your research paper outline: Decide on the subject of the paper; Write down all the ideas you want to include or discuss; Organize related ideas into sub-groups; Arrange your ideas into a hierarchy — what should the reader learn first? What is most important?

Each outline consists of three main parts the Introduction, the Body, and the Conclusion. For a successful and high-quality research paper, however, the more detailed outline you use the better. The simplest diagram of an outline looks like this: Define the audience. Thesis statement. An argument to support the thesis.