Updated for the new Paper Per Hour: This guide supports independent learning and responsible academic work.
A research outline is a working model of the argument. It helps you test whether the evidence supports the thesis before you spend time polishing paragraphs.
Write a provisional research question
Define the problem, population, time period, or text being studied. A focused question makes source selection and section planning easier.
Draft a working thesis
State the main answer in one or two sentences. Treat it as provisional: good research often changes the claim as evidence accumulates.
Map the major sections
- Introduction and significance of the problem.
- Necessary background or literature context.
- Main claims, each supported by appropriate evidence.
- Counterargument, limitation, or alternative explanation.
- Conclusion and implications.
Attach evidence to each claim
Add source notes beneath every main point. If a section has no evidence, research it or remove it. If one source appears everywhere, broaden the evidence base.
Use the outline as a diagnostic tool
Check that headings are parallel, claims do not repeat, and the sequence answers the research question logically. Update the outline as the paper develops.
Use Paper Per Hour to study the topic
Add permitted course materials to a focused session, ask grounded questions, and create summaries, flashcards, or practice tests. Verify important claims against the original source.