Writing an Outline

Writing an outline can be a very useful step between the research process and the actual writing of your paper. An outline will help you develop a better overall view of your research topic and will make it much easier to understand how the parts (subtopics) of your paper relate to each other and fit together.

A working outline is especially helpful because it helps you keep track of:

• Different aspects or subtopics of your subject, 
• The sources you use, and 
• Your own changing views as your knowledge and understanding of your subject develops. 1 

 

Helpful Links for Developing an Outline Well  

• An excellent explanation of outlines that provides examples is available at Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) 
• Methods of Organizing your Essay from the UVic Writer's Guide 
• The Structure of the Essay Outline, also from the UVic Writer's Guide 
• Organizing Your Writing, lots of activities from Paradigm Online Writing Assistant