APA Research Paper Outline: Examples and Template
The Basic APA Research Paper Outline (or Other Style) Has Three Main Sections:
Introduction Section
Body Section
Conclusion Section
This outline will provide a general structure for most APA papers, with variations depending on whether your paper requires an abstract or not.
Introduction Section of a Basic APA Outline
The introductory section of an APA outline is where you introduce your topic, state why it’s important, lay out your theme or thesis statement, provide a brief background, and describe your methodology or approach. The introduction should pull readers in by demonstrating why they should care about the topic and providing needed context or relevant history.
Some key elements of the introductory section include:
Hook: Pose a thought-provoking question or use a surprising statement to grab readers’ attention.
Thesis statement: State concisely and clearly what your paper is about. Include an argument you need to prove or position you need to defend.
Background: Briefly summarize existing research or relevant context on the topic. Explain how your question or area of focus fits into the broader conversation.
Methodology: Describe the purpose of the study and the general methods or approach you used. Articulate the scope and limitations of your research.
Sample Introductory Paragraph:
“Anthropogenic climate change poses substantial risks to humanity and other species. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2014 synthesis report, the planet will likely warm between 2°C and 5°C over pre-industrial levels by 2100 without concerted action to curb greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2014). This level of warming far exceeds any experiences by human civilization and threatens devastating consequences including sea level rise, extreme weather events, food and water insecurity, and biodiversity loss (IPCC, 2014). Given the severity of the risks, it is imperative that nations accelerate efforts to transition to renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This paper will analyze the barriers to low-carbon energy adoption in the United States and propose policy solutions to overcome them.”
Body Section of a Basic APA Outline
The body is where you present the main points, reasons, features, steps, characteristics – essentially the key components of your paper organized logically to prove your thesis. APA papers follow a standard IMRD structure (as explained below):
I – Introduction
M – Method
R – Results
D – Discussion
Include headings for each section to help organize your writing. Use topic sentences, facts, examples, explanations, citations as needed to support your points.
Some key elements of the body section may include:
Main point 1 heading
Topic sentence
Supporting point/paragraph
Evidence and analysis
Transition
Main point 2 heading
Topic sentence
Supporting point/paragraph
Evidence and analysis
Transition
And so on…
Sample Body Paragraph:
“Intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar power pose integration challenges due to variability in generation levels over time (Brown et al., 2018). On windless or cloudy days, these resources cannot always be dispatched to meet demand. This variability necessitates energy storage solutions or backup fossil fuel capacity. Large-scale battery storage remains costly and fossil fuel “peaker plants” designed for occasional use are uneconomical compared to baseload gas plants (Brown et al., 2018). To overcome this barrier, policymakers should mandate time-of-use electricity pricing and invest in virtual power plant pilot programs to incentivize consumer demand response and distributed energy resource aggregation.”
Conclusion Section of a Basic APA Outline
The conclusion ties together the major points of your paper and restates your thesis. It is not simply a summary and should demonstrate significance and implications. Some key elements include:
Restate thesis statement
Summarize main points
Show importance or implications of results/findings
Draw conclusions or implications
Suggest areas for further study or research (optional)
Call to action if applicable
Sample Conclusion Paragraph:
“The United States must implement a suite of policy solutions if it hopes to transition rapidly from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Carbon pricing, time-of-use rates, grid modernization investments, and virtual power plant pilots can help overcome integration challenges while stimulating innovation. Moreover, setting a national clean energy standard paired with just transition programs for affected workers and communities would send a strong market signal and ease social costs of decarbonization. If enacted ambitiously yet pragmatically, such policies hold the potential to significantly curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and help stave off the worst impacts of climate change. Continued research into next-generation energy storage, low-carbon fuels, and demand response will further enable a renewable energy future. By making this transition a national priority, the United States can reap the economic and public health co-benefits of sustainable energy while demonstrating global climate leadership.”
Abstract Section for a Research Paper APA Outline
For research papers requiring an abstract, include it as the first section of your outline. The abstract provides readers with a short 150- to 250-word summary of your paper. It should identify the research problem or question, methodology, major findings or trends, and implications or conclusions. Do not cite sources in the abstract or include headings.
Sample Abstract:
“Anthropogenic climate change constitutes one of the most urgent threats facing society in the 21st century. Left unabated, global warming poses catastrophic risks including sea level rise, heat waves, droughts, and superstorms. This paper analyzes barriers to renewable energy adoption in the United States and recommends policy strategies to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Through a literature review of 40 scholarly articles on clean energy policy and grid integration challenges, common hurdles emerged including the intermittent generation profiles of wind and solar power and lack of nationwide carbon pricing. Based on case studies of programs in other nations and U.S. states, policy solutions are proposed centered around a national clean energy standard, carbon pricing, time-of-use electricity rates, and virtual power plant pilots. If enacted, such measures could meaningfully curb American greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades.”
Alternative APA Outline Formats
The basic outline structure could vary for different types of APA papers, including:
Literature review – Replace body sections with headings for major themes or topics in the literature.
Experimental report – Modify body sections to follow the IMRD structure with: Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion.
Case study – Organize body around analysis of key characteristics, events, outcomes related to the subject of the case study.
Position/Argument paper – Include counterargument section refuting alternative positions before conclusion.
Qualitative/theoretical- Organize body around major themes that emerged from the data or establish relationship between concepts.
Research proposal – Replace body sections with problem statement, literature review, hypotheses/research questions, methods, and significance/implications sections.
Annotated bibliography – Replace body with entries citing source material relevant to your topic, each with brief summaries.
Always follow any specific guidelines or templates provided by your instructor to create an outline customized for the requirements of your particular APA research paper assignment.
Properly Formatting an APA Outline
Mastering the proper formatting of an APA outline involves small details that add up. Here are a few tips:
Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3 etc.) to number outline sections and any subsections.
Indent each subsection level half an inch from the left margin.
Use headings styles consistently (e.g. bolded, italicized, underlined) throughout the outline.
Double space the entire outline, including between outline sections.
References are not needed in the outline itself but can be included parenthetically or as a separate section.
Run a spell check and have another set of eyes review it before finalizing.
Save outline Word or Google Docs file with your last name and “Outline” (e.g. SmithOutline.doc) for easy reference.
Consider uploading outline to cloud storage or sharing a shared outline document file for collaboration.
Using the examples and guidance above, you should now have a solid foundation for creating your own effective and properly formatted APA research paper outline. Of course, always check with your instructor if you need any clarification on their specific outline requirements for your project. With practice, outlining becomes easier and more intuitive for organizing your ideas and information.
Andrew Stroud