Research and Writing: Outline
This blog post aims to address the task related to research and writing, which is covered as a chapter in our Research Methodology course under the guidance of Vaidehi Ma'am.
Outlining in research writing involves creating a structured framework before writing the full paper. It helps organize the main ideas, supporting details, and sections in a logical order, serving as a roadmap for the writer to visualize the overall structure and how different parts relate to each other.
A typical research paper outline includes key sections such as the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. These sections may have subsections, and the outline presents the sequence and hierarchy of information. Additionally, the outline can include key points, arguments, and evidence the writer plans to include in each section.
Outlining offers several benefits in research writing:
Organization:
It facilitates systematic arrangement of thoughts and ideas, ensuring a coherent and logical flow of information.
Clarity:
It provides a clear structure, making it easier for both the writer and the reader to understand the research.
Efficiency:
Writing with an outline can save time by providing a roadmap, preventing the writer from getting stuck or going off-topic.
Revision:
It allows for easier revision and restructuring as the writer can identify gaps or weaknesses in the argument during the outlining phase.
There are three types of outlining in research:
1. Working Outline
2. Thesis Statement
3. Final Outline
A Detailed Explanation:
1. Working Outline:
A working outline provides an overview of the research paper. In research writing, some writers create outlines based on their interests, but outlining is more crucial for the research phase than for writing. In fact, some instructors require students to submit an outline along with the final draft. Others may ask for an early submission of a research outline, including a tentative list of subtopics for research. They suggest continually revising this working outline – dropping, adding, or modifying items – as the research progresses. Instructors who require a research project portfolio sometimes request at least one version of the working outline to be included alongside the final outline.
A working outline offers an overall view of the paper, helping the writer see the logical progression of their argument. It also makes it easier to keep track of all important aspects of the subject and focus the research on relevant topics. Continual revision of the working outline encourages the writer to change their thinking and approach as new information modifies their understanding of the subject.
It is advisable to create a different computer file for each version of the outline. For example, save the first version as "outline 1," and when revising, open that file, choose "Save As" to create a copy with a new name (e.g., "outline 2"). The open file is now the copy you can revise, while the first version remains unchanged. Printing all drafts can help compare them and discard or revisit any draft or argument as needed.
2. Thesis Statement:
In research writing, a thesis statement is a concise and specific sentence or two that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or any other academic writing piece. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, indicating the central idea of the work and providing a clear focus for the content that follows.
Key characteristics of a thesis statement in research writing include clarity, specificity, debatability, connection to the topic, and conciseness. The thesis statement should clearly express the main idea or argument, avoiding vague language and being straightforward. It should address a particular aspect of the topic and guide the reader on what to expect in the rest of the paper. Additionally, a thesis statement should present an argument or perspective that can be debated or discussed rather than a universally accepted fact.
The thesis statement should directly relate to the topic of the research and serve as a link between the broader subject and the specific focus of the paper. Ideally, it should be concise and to the point, conveying the main idea without unnecessary details or elaboration. In most cases, the thesis statement is placed near the end of the introduction, providing a clear transition from the general introduction to the specific focus of the paper.
A thesis statement is the writer's answer to the central question or problem they have raised. When shaping the information and arguments, the thesis statement enables the writer to see where they are heading and remain on a productive path while planning and writing. The writer may need to find many arguments and possibilities until they find effective arguments suitable for their purpose, and they can revise the thesis statement while writing the paper.
Two factors are important in shaping a thesis statement: the purpose and the audience. The writer should consider what purpose they aim to achieve in the paper (e.g., describing, explaining, arguing for a certain point of view, or persuading the reader) and what audience they are writing for (e.g., a specialist on the subject, someone likely to agree or disagree, someone interested or uninterested in the subject). The answers to these questions should guide the appropriate slant or point of view not just in the thesis statement but also in the final outline and the paper itself.
Many instructors require students to submit thesis statements for approval some two or three weeks before the paper is due, often including the statement in a research project portfolio. Students can seek guidance from their instructors if they have any confusion and properly frame the statement appropriately.
3. Final Outline:
After developing a satisfactory thesis statement, the writer can begin transforming the working outline into a final one. This step helps organize ideas and accumulated research into a logical, fluent, and effective paper. Again, many instructors request that final outlines be submitted with papers or included in a research project portfolio.
Start by carefully reviewing all notes to see how strongly they support the various points in the working outline. Next, read over the working outline critically and delete everything irrelevant to the thesis statement or that might weaken the argument. While it can be challenging to remove written content, it is essential to resist the urge to include unnecessary information. Focusing on what truly helps achieve the goal and maintains the readers' interest in the research, its presentation, and the conclusions is crucial. Keep the main point and the audience in mind while deciding what to include.
As the writer reads and thinks more about their ideas, they may notice new connections and patterns. Grouping similar elements together and organizing them logically can help shape the structure for the paper. Ensure one section flows smoothly to the next, and arrange topics under each heading in a logical order. Plan a good introduction and conclusion that fit the chosen order.
Organizational principles may include chronology, cause and effect, process, deductive logic (moving from general to specific), or inductive logic (moving from specific to general). The methods of development, such as defining, classifying, analyzing, using descriptive details or examples, comparing or contrasting, or arguing for a certain point of view, should also be evident in the outline as they influence how the material is arranged.
It is also a good idea to indicate in the outline, specifically and precisely, the quotations and sources to be used. All this planning will take time and thought, and the writer may make several preliminary outlines before arriving at the one they will follow. However, the more planning is done, the easier and more efficient the writing will be.
If the final outline is only for the writer's use, its form will have little importance. If it is to be submitted, the instructor will likely discuss the various outline forms and specify which one to use. Whatever the form, maintain it consistently. The two most common forms are the topic outline (using only short phrases throughout) and the sentence outline (using complete sentences throughout).
When labeling parts of an outline, creating separate computer files for each main topic can be useful. Transfer relevant information from note files to these topic files in the correct order. During the writing process, open the topic files and integrate their content into the paper. Remember to save and back up the outline files.
Conclusion:
1. A working outline is a useful intermediary document between research and writing. It helps gain an overview of the paper and keep track of all important aspects of the subject.
2. A thesis statement is a single sentence that formulates both the topic and the point of view. It is an answer to the central question or problem raised. When preparing the thesis statement, consider the purpose in writing and the audience being written for.
3. The final outline helps organize ideas and research into a coherent paper. Organizing principles include chronology, cause and effect, and deductive and inductive logic. The most common forms of outlining are the topic outline and the sentence outline. Creating separate computer files for each major topic allows for writing the paper by calling up each file in turn, following the progression of the outline.
Thank you!
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