Compiling weeks or months of research into readable text to share with others is a daunting task. Just the idea can cripple even the most seasoned scholar. There’s a way to make the task more manageable and it’s something most learned to do in primary school - the outline. 

Outlines might seem pedestrian for postdoc researchers, but the simple organization skill from elementary school still works, no matter how advanced the material. Many students continue using outlines throughout high school and undergrad studies. 

Building an outline is an important step in writing in a multitude of genres, not just research papers. 

Why Outlines Matter

It’s entirely possible to write without an outline, but foregoing this important step can have disastrous consequences. Without an outline, your paper could be an unstructured mess with missing facts and figures. 

Outlines are a way to organize your thoughts before putting them to paper. The format begins with the main idea (s) and then divides into the minute particulars of the overall thesis.

Research papers are especially complex and detailed. Using an outline ensures that each point in the research findings is discussed in the final paper. Furthermore, it helps keep the flow cohesive and comprehensible for all readers. 

The best part is there are three types of outlines to choose from. 

3 Types of Structured Outlines 

As any writer knows, there are multiple ways to begin the writing process. Many find outlines useful for structuring their work before they start writing it. Not everyone processes or relates to information in the same way. Luckily, there are three different main types of outlines and writers can choose the one that works best for them. What are they? 

1. Alphanumeric

An alphanumeric outline uses a combination of letters, numbers, and periods to separate the main idea into sections that break down one big idea into smaller, detailed thoughts. Outlines create a structure of the writer to follow, and even the outline format is structured. 

The alphanumeric outline starts with a short sentence of the paper’s thesis. 

Main ideas are listed using Roman numerals (I., II., III.) Underneath the main idea are subheadings with capital letters. (A., B., C.)

Arabic numbers (1., 2., 3.) further expand the subheadings with extra details. Lowercase letters (a., b., c.) are the next step of the alphanumeric outline. 

Example: 

Choosing College Courses. 

I. Pick top 10 courses. 

• Look at available classes on the university's website. 

     1. Look for classes that interest you. 

     2. Look for classes that meet your graduation requirements.

• Read course requirements.

     1. Note prerequisite requirements.

     2. Note class day and time. 

• Study prior year’s syllabus

                  1. How much reading is expected?

II. Register for classes.

       A. Be online early the morning registration starts.

       B. Have backup classes in mind

III. Acquire supplies necessary for class. 

       A. Look for used textbooks. 

       B. Purchase folders to keep classwork.

IV. Attend class. 

2. Full Sentence 

Some writers may need long sentences instead of short fragments to help them remember their train of thought.  

Example: 

1. Choosing college courses is an important step in your academic career. 

     A. Classes fill up very quickly on registration day. 

3. Decimal 

The decimal outline is similar to the alphanumeric but sticks to using just numbers and decimal points. 

Example: 

1.0 Pick top 10 courses. 

      1.1 Look at available classes on the university's website. 

     1.1.1 Look for classes that interest you. 

     1.1.2. Look for classes that meet your graduation requirements.

      1.2 Read course requirements.

     1.2.1 Note prerequisite requirements.

     1.2.2 Note class day and time. 

2.0 Register for classes.

       2.1 Be online early the morning registration starts

       2.2 Have backup classes in mind

3.0 Acquire supplies necessary for class. 

       3.1 Look for used textbooks. 

       3.2 Purchase folders to keep classwork.

4.0 Attend class. 

How to Get Started With an Outline

Despite the familiarity with outlines, it can be difficult to know when to create the outline - before or after your research is complete? 

You can’t write a research paper without already completing your research. The outlines come after the research but before taking pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard.)

A good outline will help keep the writer on-topic. The end result will be much clearer and concise, hitting all the points relevant to the thesis.