Peabody Library Research Channel: Create an Outline

Research paper outlines provide you with the ability to organize your information in a hierarchical or logical order. Another benefit is that an outline helps you keep track of large amounts of information. 

Here are the primary reasons for creating an outline:

• Aids in the writing process
• Organizes ideas
• Arranges your material logically
• Shows relationship among ideas

Creating an outline before writing your paper will make organizing your thoughts a lot easier. Whatever outline you decide to develop, whether it be hierarchical or just making notes about main ideas, it will be beneficial to your writing process and paper.