Writing a research paper can seem like a daunting task, especially for elementary school students who are just beginning to learn the basics of conducting research and organizing their findings. Breaking the writing process down into smaller, more manageable steps can make the undertaking feel less overwhelming. Creating a detailed outline is one of the most important early steps students can take to ensure their paper is structured, organized and stays focused on the main topic.
What is a Research Paper Outline?
A research paper outline functions as a plan for the entire paper. It helps the writer organize their ideas and information in a logical order before beginning to write. The traditional outline includes three main sections: an introduction, body, and conclusion. Within each section there are typically several subpoints providing more details. For example, the body section would include several different paragraphs, each discussing a subtopic related to the main research question or thesis.
The outline serves as a roadmap to guide the writer throughout the research and writing process. It ensures each new section and paragraph naturally flows from the previous one. More specific details can be added to the outline as research progresses. Teachers often require students to submit a draft outline before completing the full paper. This allows the teacher to check that the student understands the scope of the project and provide feedback early on.
Core Elements for an Elementary School Research Paper Outline
While outlines may become more complex for longer, in-depth papers at higher grade levels, elementary school research paper outlines focus on just the core essential elements. Here are the three main sections elementary students should include in their outline:
I. Introduction
A. Hook (interesting fact/question to grab reader’s attention)
B. Thesis statement (main argument or finding of the research)
C. Brief overview of topic areas explored
II. Body
A. Paragraph 1: Main topic area #1
1. Detail/fact #1
2. Detail/fact #2
3. Detail/fact #3
B. Paragraph 2: Main topic area #2
1. Detail/fact #1
2. Detail/fact #2
C. Paragraph 3: Main topic area #3
1. Detail/fact #1
III. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis
B. Summary of main points
C. Closing statement
Keeping the outline simple with just 3-5 subpoints or details listed under each main topic area keeps it manageable for elementary-aged students. Teachers may want to provide students with a template to help structure their outline. Sentence outlines are rarely expected at this level.
Guiding the Research Process
Creating the outline early allows students to plan how they will approach their research. They can determine what subtopics or details are most important to include, based on their thesis. Students should then go through their research notes, articles and other sources and gather key details and facts to insert into the outline under each subpoint.
As new information emerges, students can modify the outline as needed, moving subpoints around or adding or removing details. The outline should guide the whole research process, keeping students focused on only gathering facts and details relevant to answering their research question or proving their thesis. Teachers may check-in periodically to ensure students are staying on track with their outlined plan.
Elementary-Level Examples
Here are two examples of simple research paper outlines for common elementary-level topics:
I. Introduction
A. Did you know bees are disappearing at an alarming rate?
B. The decline of bee populations could seriously impact our food supply.
C. This paper will explore why bees are important and what is causing their decline.
II. Body
A. Why bees are important
1. They pollinate many important crops like apples and almonds
2. They help produce 1/3 of food that ends up on our tables
B. Causes of declining bee populations
1. Habitat loss from development and farming
2. Pesticides that harm bees
III. Conclusion
A. Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem and food system
B. We must protect bee habitats and limit pesticide use to save the bees
I. Introduction
A. Deserts cover about 1/3 of Earth’s land surface
B. This paper will describe what a desert is and features found in deserts
C. Features include climate, plants, and animals
II. Body
A. Climate
1. Hot and dry
2. Receive less than 10 inches of rain a year
B. Plants
1. Cacti, yucca and other drought-tolerant plants
2. Some plants only bloom after rare rainfall
C. Animals
1. Lizards, snakes and insects adapted to dry heat
2. Desert animals like kangaroo rats and camels
III. Conclusion
A. Deserts have a challenging climate but support unique plant and animal life
B. The features described help wildlife survive with little water
With practice scaffolding their thoughts into outlines, elementary students can gain confidence in planning, organizing and writing research papers on age-appropriate topics. The outline ensures their final paper stays focused yet allows flexibility as new information comes to light during the learning process.