Outline of a Research Paper

Tips on Creating an Outline

A well-written outline is a valuable tool in presenting
a well-written research paper. The outline is the first
step in creating the structure for what will be said in
the paper as well as how it will be said.

Use parallelism - Parallelism refers to the structure
between headings and sub-headings. The structure
needs to remain consistent throughout all the
headings and sub-headings. For example, this
means if you start each heading with a verb, then
all your headings and subheadings should start
with a verb.
Example: "Choose Desired Colleges" and
"Prepare Application" "Choose" and
"Prepare" are both verbs. However, it is
preferable in an outline to use the present
tense of the verb.
Example: "Visit and evaluate college
campuses" and "Visit and evaluate college
websites"
Example: "1. Note important statistics" and
"2. Look for interesting classes"
Use coordination - Coordination is important
between headings. In other words, all the headings
should have the same amount of significance or
importance. The rule applies to sub-headings as
well, but their information will be less significant
than the headings.
Example:
I. Choose Desired Colleges
A. Visit and evaluate college campuses
B. Visit and evaluate college websites
1. look for interesting classes
2. note important statistics
(College campuses and college websites are
equally important.)
Use subordination - Subordination is the
relationship between the headings and the sub-
headings. Information in headings is general in
nature, and the information contained in the sub-
headings should be more specific, and so on to the
other levels.
Example:
A. Describe an influential person in your life
1. Favorite high school teacher
2. Grandparent
(The category of influential people in your
life is general, and a favorite teacher and
grandparent are specific.)
Use division - Division should be accomplished in
this manner. Each heading needs to have at least
two parts. It can have more, but if you have too
many, then you may need to put in another heading
or sub-heading or combine some of the divisions.
Example:
A. Compile resume
1. List relevant coursework
2. List work experience
3. List volunteer experience
(The heading "Compile resume" is divided
into 3 parts.)
An outline is usually required when writing a paper
for a college course. Be sure and ask your professor
for the required format for your particular course.





Outline of a Research Paper
Outline: The following outline describes the
components of a paper. Complete the following
components of this outline based on your topic.

I. Title: Role of Stem Cells in Medicine

II. Introduction: Your introduction should begin with an
attention-getter. Then it should be followed by 3 5 sentences
stating specific points you will make in the paper(3
rd
POV). Then
you should have one sentence that is the thesis of your paper.
Complete the following parts of the Introduction paragraph.

ATTENTION-GETTER (first 1 -2 sentences of paper): Imagine a
world where there is no illness or disease; a world
where an amputation of the leg could easily be
perfectly restored; a world where people who died
before their time because of a bodily ailment was
alive; a utopia.
SPECIFIC POINTS (3-5 sentences): Stem cells exist throughout
the body. Stem cells are cells without a specific function in
the body but can produce many specialized cells, such as heart
or muscle cells. Because of their exceptional regeneration
abilities, stem cells have been researched by scientists in
hopes of curing ailments and injuries that have plagued
humans. But all things come with a price; many people have a
fierce opinion on the research of stem cells and want its
discontinuation. Despite the negativity stem cells receive,
stem cells may be the answer to most diseases and injuries.
THESIS (SO WHAT?) one sentence summarizing what your
paper is about in 3
rd
POV: Stem cells are very helpful in
genetics and medicine because of their remarkable
regeneration abilities, and, although they have mixed
perspectives, stem cells have a very promising future.

III. Body Paragraphs: During the body of the paper you should
make the specific points that relate to the purpose statement.
You may choose to make 1 3 paragraphs for each point. Be
sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence, meaning the
first sentence of each paragraph should describe what the
paragraph is about. Each sentence in the paragraph should then
relate to the topic sentence. For this outline, write the topic
sentence for each of at least five different points that you plan
to make/describe in the paper; add additional subheadings as
necessary (at least two).
I. Stem cells are cells without a special function but can :
1. Definition of Stem Cells
a. Where stem cells are found(source #3 , notecard
#1)
b. Stem Cell Abilities(source #6, notecard #2) (source
#1, notecard #1)
2. Types of Stem Cells:
a. Embryonic Stem Cells(source #3, notecard #1)
b. Adult Stem Cells(source #3, notecard #1)
c. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells(source #11,
notecard #1)
II. Stem cells play an important role in the development
of an embryo and throughout the mature stages of life.
:
1. Importance in embryonic stages
a. Activeness in the body(source #5, notecard #1)
b. Functions in early stages(source #5, notecard #1)
2. Importance in adult stages
a. Inactiveness and Activeness in the body(source
#5, notecard #3)
b. Functions in adult stages(source #5, notecard #2)
III. People around the world have opposing thoughts
about the research of embryonic stem cells because
the research involves the destruction of embryos. :
1. The problem
a. The killing of possible life (embryos) (source #3,
notecard #2)
b. The possibility of cloning humans(source #8,
notecard #1)
2. Viewpoints
c. Ethical/moral and Worldviews(source #13, notecard
#1) source #13, notecard #2) (source #8, notecard
#1)
d. Scientific and Political(source #13, notecard
#3)(source #8, notecard #1)
IV. Stem cells play a major and developing role in
medicine: today they are used in several therapies, and
scientists are trying to invent more therapies. :
1. Therapies available
a. Bone Marrow(source #9, notecard #1) (source #10,
notecard #1)
b. Umbilical Cord Blood(source #9, notecard #1)
(source #10, notecard #1)
c. Peripheral Blood(source #9, notecard #1) (source
#10, notecard #1)
2. Stem Cell therapies being tested for
d. Damaged tissue(source #12, notecard #1)
e. Solid Organ Cancers(source #12, notecard #1)
V. In the future, scientists predict, with further research,
that stem cells will be able to treat a cast amount of
injuries and diseases.:
1. Diseases that can be cured/restored
a. Alzheimers Disease(source #6, notecard #1)
b. Damaged tissue(source #3, notecard #3)
2. Unlocking full potential of Stem Cells
c. Manipulate stem cells to produce (source #1,
notecard #2)
d. Reprogramming a stem cell to heal other parts of
body(source #1, notecard #3)



VI. Conclusion: The conclusion paragraph should briefly (3-
5 sentences) summarize the paper, and then elaborate
on answering the question so what?. What is
significant about everything you have written about?
Where do you see this going in the future? What role
does your topic have in the big picture of medicine,
genetics, or life? Be sure that your conclusion has a topic
sentence and several supporting sentences. Try coming
up with a couple of answers to the so what question.
Ultimately, stem cells are unspecialized cells located in
embryos and somatic tissue that through division can
create specialized cells. Stem cells initially develop the
body, repair it, and aid its functioning. Stem cells,
especially embryonic stem cells, have received much
good and bad spotlight because of its remarkable
ability to produce other specialized cells but at the cost
of ending a possible human life. Stem cells have
provided a big leap in medicine and continue to do so
with research. Is it possible that with stem cell
research, all human ailments would become a thing of
the past?