Creating an outline for your paper helps you to stay organized. By creating an outline you can focus your research on the specific topic and arguments you are developing to support the thesis of your paper.
Introduction
The introduction should be two paragraphs and include the following:
Introduction paragraph #1
Hook (an opening sentence that grabs the reader's attention)
General overview of the topic
Introduction paragraph #2
Statement of relevance (why should the audience care about your topic)
Thesis statement
Transition to the first Body paragraph
Body of Your Paper
Key argument #1
Main idea
Topic sentence
Evidence
Transition to the next Body paragraph
Key argument #2
Main idea
Topic sentence
Evidence
Transition to the next Body paragraph
Key argument #3
Main idea
Topic sentence
Evidence
Transition to the Conclusion
Conclusion
The conclusion should be two paragraphs. The first paragraph should restate your thesis in relation to the evidence cited in your research paper. The second paragraph should explain why the paper’s argument(s) are valid and important.
Conclusion paragraph #1
Restatement of the thesis statement
Summary of the key points
Conclusion paragraph #2
Recommendations
Food for thought