Why should I outline rather than just write?

• Helps you kill your darlings
• Helps you group the ideas that need to be grouped
• Helps with the storytelling/ flow of the paper

How should I outline?

The broad structure of an outline should be:

1. The point you are trying to make
   1. Subpoint / Supporting point (Citation)
   2. Subpoint / Supporting point (Citation)
   3. Subpoint / Supporting point (Citation)
2. Another point you are trying to make
   1. Subpoint / Supporting point (Citation)
   2. Subpoint / Supporting point (Citation)
   3. Subpoint / Supporting point (Citation)

• You can also include a conclusion sentence at the end of a paragraph if necessary

The main points (I & II) are usually conclusions that you have come to. Like a topic statement you write based on the supporting literature (which is in your subpoints).

The subpoints should always be ideas from the literature, with citations, that support your main point.

Some tips on writing the points

• Each point and subpoint should be one sentence, ideally without any clauses or parentheticals. Write as simply as possible.
  • It will take a lot of time to write this clearly. It should, and it’s worth it.
• Do not copy and paste sentences from your literature review. Make sure it’s in your own words
  • This prevents you from accidentally plagiarizing
  • The only exception to this is if you are using a definition straight from another researcher’s paper. In that case, use quotation marks
• Do not say “X and Y (2023) run a study showing that cats eat mice.” Just say “cats eat mice (X & Y, 2023)”.

Some tips on the connections between points

• All subpoints should be able to be connected with a transition word: AND, BUT, SO, NEXT,
• All subpoints should relate to the main point with words like BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, INCLUDING
• If you have a conclusion, it should follow from the subpoints using words like THEREFORE or SO