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Drafting an outline of your paper is a good way to make certain you are organizing the research you've gathered to support your thesis. The purpose of an outline is to help you think through your topic carefully and organize it logically before you start writing. A good outline is the most important step in writing a good paper. Check your outline to make sure that the points covered flow logically from one to the other. You might want to base your outline on the standard sections of a research paper: Introduction. Introduce the line of reasoning you take in the essay, present the categories of evidence you will use, and provide readers with a clear statement of your thesis. Literature Review. Tell your readers about related materials and explain how other writers -- experts, presumably, have answered your research questions. If you are presenting information from a writer whose findings you disagree with, be careful to be fair (don't simplify the view for the sake of making your perspective seem more reasonable). Discussion. Demonstrate that your thesis is based on valid reasoning and supported by your evidence and/or examples. If you are presenting the results of an experiment or study, you should precede your discussion section with information on: Method Any equipment or apparatus used to measure and / or quantify results. Participants Conclusion. Summarize your points, restate your thesis, and suggest areas where further research might be appropriate or questions raised by your research that you have not addressed. Type your outline in a document - and make sure you save it. If you are writing a paper in APA Style, you'll want to use your outline to create Section Headings. For longer papers, section headings provide Decide which quotations and facts to include under which sections Browse through the quotations and comments you printed out. Make notations on your outline for which quotations and facts will best support which sections of your essay. Web sites with useful advice and tips on writing a good outline: Writing a Research Paper Outline Writing an Outline Research Paper Outline: write an outline that will Write your paper.