Term (Research) Paper Outline Format The first section of the outline is the Introduction, which identifies the subject and gives an overview of your reaction to it. The introduction paragraph ends with your thesis statement, which identifies whether your expectations were met and what you learned. The Thesis statement serves as the focal point of your paper. It also provides a transition to the body of the paper and will be revisited in your conclusion.
The Body of your paper identifies the three or more, major points that support your thesis statement. Each paragraph in the body should start with a topic sentence. The rest of each paragraph supports your topic sentence. Keep in mind that a transition sentence at the end of each paragraph creates a paper that flows logically and is easy to read. When creating the outline, identify the topic sentence for each paragraph, and add the supporting statements, evidence, and your own experiences or reactions to the subject underneath.
The Conclusion wraps up your essay, serving as the other bookend in stating and proving your thesis statement. In outlining the conclusion, identify the thesis statement and add the main points from the body paragraphs as a recap. Don't add new information to the conclusion, and be sure to identify the closing Conclusion statement of your reflection paper.

This sample shows how an outline format should reflect the main points of your paper, from start to finish:

1. Introduction 1. Identify and explain subject 2. State your reaction to the subject 1. Agree/disagree? 2. Did you change your mind? 3. Did the subject meet your expectations? 4. What did you learn? 3. Thesis Statement

2. Body Paragraph 1 4. Topic Sentence 5. Supporting evidence 1 6. Supporting evidence 2 7. Supporting evidence 3

3. Body Paragraph 2 5. Topic Sentence 8. Supporting evidence 1 9. Supporting evidence 2 10. Supporting evidence 3

4. Body Paragraph 3 6. Topic Sentence 11. Supporting evidence 1 12. Supporting evidence 2 13. Supporting evidence 3

5. Conclusion 7. Recap thesis statement 8. Recap Paragraph 1 9. Recap Paragraph 2 10. Recap Paragraph 3 11. Conclusion statement

Here is a very basic EXAMPLE of a Term Paper Outline! Yours should be a little better than this!

Topic: Asbestos Poisoning 1. Introduction

a. Definition of Asbestos Poisoning b. Significance of the Study c. Definition of Terms 2. Body

d. Symptoms of Asbestos Poisoning e. Effects of Asbestos Poisoning f. Treatments 3. Conclusion

g. Conclusion h. Recommendations 1. How to Deal with Asbestos Hazards 2.

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