What is a research essay outline?

A research essay outline is a structured list of the paragraph topics and supporting details for a research paper. Beneath each body paragraph topic, include a list of the evidence from outside sources along with citations that show where you found each piece of evidence, like this example with fictitious sources:

Introduction
Impact of renewable energy on local economies
- Report by Smith (2022) on wind farms and job growth in Kansas
- Statistics on solar energy job growth in Nebraska (Coen, 2023)

The outline would continue with additional evidence and body paragraph topics.

When you’re working on an outline for a research paper, QuillBot’s AI Search can help you find outside sources.

Academic writing: Other interesting questions

What is a synthesis essay outline?: A synthesis essay outline is a structured list of the paragraphs and details that a synthesis essay will include. A synthesis outline includes a list of evidence from two or more sources beneath each body paragraph topic. Synthesis outlines also tend to include citations, like this example:

Introduction

Building a new park will positively impact property values.

Case study by Hayes (2023) about parks and Springfield property values

Report by Shafer (2024) comparing property values in neighborhoods with and without a nearby park

The outline would continue with additional evidence and body paragraph topics.

When you’re making a synthesis essay outline, QuillBot’s AI Search can help you find outside sources.
What are good sentence starters for the first body paragraph?: Good sentence starters for the first body paragraph depend on the type of essay you’re writing. For example, in an argument essay, body paragraph 1 often begins with “One of the main reasons.”

Sentence starters for other essay types include:

Cause/effect: “One of the most significant effects of [your main topic] is”

Compare/contrast: “One important difference between X and Y is” or “One similarity between X and Y is that”

Narrative essay: “It all started when”

Rhetorical analysis: “[Author’s] use of [ethos/logos/pathos] is especially [effective/ineffective] because”

Literary analysis: “One of the most significant ways that [author] develops the theme is through”

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser when you’re writing body paragraphs? It can help you with effective sentence starters and other word choices.
When do I need to compare and contrast?: The simple answer is that you need to compare and contrast when the essay prompt or task requires it. There are also opportunities for comparing and contrasting with tasks such as “Consider the degree to which early years education impacts later educational outcomes.”

Although this does not explicitly ask for a compare and contrast essay, it implicitly opens up the need for comparison between different approaches.

Whatever the essay type, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will make sure your paper’s grammar and spelling are spot-on!
What is a good compare and contrast essay structure?: There are two main approaches to a good compare and contrast essay structure:

Alternating: Each topic is addressed as it applies to the two (or more) subjects being compared or contrasted.

Blocking: Each subject is addressed regarding all topics in turn (e.g., all aspects of health care in Sweden, then all aspects of healthcare in the U.S.)

Whichever approach is used, it is important to maintain a balance between the subjects being discussed, so (like with every essay) planning is vital.

When you’ve finished your essay, you can use the free QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure there are no mistakes.
How do I choose what subject to compare and contrast?: When you choose a subject to compare and contrast, the most important thing is to know your subject well.

It is also important that the subjects being compared and contrasted have enough similarities or differences to make the analysis worthwhile.

In summary, it is important that:

You know the subjects thoroughly.

There is enough substance in the subjects to make for a good analysis.

When you’re done, run your essay through the free QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure it’s free from mistakes.
What are some compare and contrast essay topics?: Some compare and contrast essay topics include the following possibilities.

Literature:

Compare and contrast the ways in which two Romantic poets use nature imagery in their verse.

Compare and contrast the use of an unreliable narrator in at least two novels.

Geography:

Compare and contrast the impact of freeports on the economies of at least two developed nations.

Compare and contrast the impact of climate change policies on migration patterns in two regions of the world.

Sociology:

Compare and contrast the impact on reoffending rates of two or more non-custodial interventions in the criminal justice system.

Compare and contrast the benefits of universal socialized healthcare and hybrid healthcare models.

Use QuillBot’s free AI Chat to come up with even more compare and contrast essay topics.
How should I start a compare and contrast essay?: The best way to start a compare and contrast essay is to clearly state the works or topics being studied and your main thesis statement.

As with any essay, planning is important, and apart from timed examinations, it is best to leave writing the introduction until last.

You can make sure you have removed any errors in your essay by using the free QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What does exam revision mean?: In UK English and some other varieties of English, exam revision means studying in order to prepare for an exam (e.g., “An exam revision timetable will help you stay organized and manage your time effectively”).

In a US context, the words “revision” and revise typically refer to reworking a draft of a piece of writing.

QuillBot’s free AI rewriter can help you rework your texts.
What is proofreading?: Proofreading is the final stage of the text editing process. It focuses on identifying and correcting mechanical errors, such as spelling, punctuation, and formatting issues, as well as ensuring consistency with the relevant style guide.

Proofreading doesn’t typically involve rephrasing sentences, improving word choice, or checking factual accuracy.

Why not use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to help you proofread your text?
What should be included in an essay checklist?: An essay checklist helps ensure your writing is clear, complete, and polished before submission. Key items to include:

Understanding the prompt: Make sure your essay fully addresses the question or topic

Thesis statement: Clear, specific, and arguable

Structure and organization: Introduction, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a strong conclusion

Clarity and flow: Smooth transitions and logical progression of ideas

Citations and references: Proper formatting and attribution

Final review: Read aloud or have someone else proofread

Streamline your essay prep with QuillBot’s check list maker to make sure nothing is overlooked.
How do I write a conclusion for a rhetorical analysis?: To write a conclusion for a rhetorical analysis essay, follow these steps:

Remind readers of the author’s overall purpose or main argument.

State whether the author’s text was effective or ineffective overall.

Explain how the rhetorical modes(ethos, pathos, and logos) or rhetorical devices work together to enhance or weaken the author’s argument.

End with a final insight about why the author’s text is worth evaluating.

Have you tried QuillBot’s free AI conclusion writer? If you include your introduction and body paragraphs in the prompt, it can instantly draft a conclusion, which you can then modify as needed.
What is an expository essay outline?: An expository essay outline is an organized list of paragraph topics and details for any type of expository essay (e.g., cause/effect essay or process analysis essay). The following example shows how to start a cause/effect outline.

Introduction

First cause or effect

Supporting detail

Supporting detail

Supporting detail (repeat as needed)

Conclusion

When you’re working on an expository essay outline, QuillBot’s AI Chat can give you pointers or feedback. Simply copy/paste your assignment instructions and outline into the prompt, and ask for the type of help you need.
What is the difference between a thesis statement and a topic sentence?: A thesis statement is one or two sentences, usually in the introduction, that presents the central claim or main argument of an essay or research paper. A topic sentence appears at the start of a body paragraph and states the main idea of a paragraph that is developing one aspect of the thesis.

An example of a thesis statement is, “Nonprofits in the Global South provide essential short-term aid, but their reliance on foreign funding can foster dependency that undermines long-term development.”

An example of a topic statement in an essay with that thesis statement could be, “Foreign funding can create expectations of continued outside support.”

QuillBot’s free thesis statement generator can help you formulate an effective thesis statement for your essay or research paper.
How long should a thesis statement be?: A thesis statement should be concise. In most cases, you should be able to express your thesis in one or two sentences that clearly convey the main claim, central idea, or focus of your essay or research paper.

QuillBot’s free thesis statement writer can help you formulate a concise thesis statement.
How many body paragraphs should be in an essay?: To find out how many body paragraphs should be in an essay, look for clues such as these in your assignment instructions.

If your assignment says “5-paragraph essay,” you need 3 body paragraphs. The 5-paragraph format is common for beginner-level writing classes and essay test questions.

Look for a required word count. An essay paragraph is usually about 200 words. Divide the total number of words required by 200 and subtract 2 for the introduction and conclusion.

Look for a required number of pages, and plan for about 2 paragraphs on each double-spaced page.

While your instructor is always the best source of information about how many body paragraphs you need, QuillBot’s AI Chat can also help you unpack assignment requirements if you include them in your AI prompt.
How do you write an argumentative essay introduction?: To write an argumentative essay introduction, follow 3 steps:

Start with a hook that engages your reader in your topic (e.g., a statistic that shows why the issue you’re arguing about is urgent).

Provide background details about why the issue is controversial. Who does the issue affect, and what are the different positions?

Write a thesis statement that includes your main argument. In some cases, you could list the reasons for your argument as well, which are the topics of your body paragraphs.

The introduction for an argument essay also needs to be error free. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker instantly finds and fixes typos.
How do you write a compare and contrast essay introduction?: Follow these steps to write a compare and contrast essay introduction:

Start with a hook about why the two things you’re comparing/contrasting are important to consider (or why the dilemma between the two things is significant).

Provide background details about the two topics you’re comparing and/or the main situations when someone needs to evaluate similarities/differences.

Write a thesis statement that lists the similarities/differences that you will discuss in your body paragraphs.

When you’re ready to proofread your compare/contrast introduction, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will instantly find and fix errors.
How do you write a conclusion for an argumentative essay?: Follow these steps to write a conclusion for an argumentative essay:

Paraphrase your main argument (but avoid repeating your thesis statement word for word).

Explain how your reasons/lines of argument (aka the topics of your body paragraphs) work together to prove your main argument.

End with a final insight about your topic, implications for the future, or a call to action.

QuillBot’s free AI conclusion writer can instantly draft a conclusion if you include your draft in the prompt. From there, you can adjust words and phrases to match your writing voice and main argument.
How many body paragraphs should be in an essay?: To find out how many body paragraphs should be in an essay, look for clues such as these in your assignment instructions.

If your assignment says “5-paragraph essay,” you need 3 body paragraphs. The 5-paragraph format is common for beginner-level writing classes and essay test questions.

Look for a required word count. An essay paragraph is usually about 200 words. Divide the total number of words required by 200 and subtract 2 for the introduction and conclusion.

Look for a required number of pages, and plan for about 2 paragraphs on each double-spaced page.

While your instructor is always the best source of information about how many body paragraphs you need, QuillBot’s AI Chat can also help you unpack assignment requirements if you include them in your AI prompt.
Is an expository essay the same as an argumentative essay?: No, an expository essay is different from an argumentative essay. Although both types of essay require careful planning and formal English language, an argumentative essay has a clear point to be made and argued, while an expository essay seeks to explain a position or topic.

Examples of an argumentative essay might include:

The relationship between money supply and inflation is the most significant problem facing central banks. [Economics]

Prison works. [Criminology]

Poetry is untranslatable. [Literature]

Examples of an expository essay include:

What has been the impact of widespread smartphone use on adolescents? [Education/Sociology]

To what extent can the oral tradition of poetry be seen as the root of modern rap? [Literature]

Discuss the impact of drug treatment programs on reoffending rates. [Criminology/Sociology]

Whatever type of essay you are writing, QuillBot’s Notepad is an invaluable resource for keeping notes as you research and write.
What is the most common type of essay at university?: The most common type of essay at university is the argumentative essay, although different courses (and different countries) might have other predominant types.

An argumentative essay takes a position on a topic and seeks to persuade the reader to agree with the author’s standpoint. Some examples of argumentative essays prompts in a range of subject areas include:

The relationship between money supply and inflation is the most significant problem facing central banks. [Economics]

Prison works. [Criminology]

Poetry is untranslatable. [Literature]

An argumentative essay requires careful planning and a clear structure. It should use formal academic English and the correct citation for your institution. It should also meet the word count requirements.

The QuillBot Citation Generator makes the task of citing sources correctly simple, with 21 verified styles catered for. Additionally, QuillBot’s Word Counter tool can help you effectively track your word count and other helpful metrics.
How do you use quotes in an essay?: Correct use of quotes in an essay can lift it above the normal and attract higher grades. Quotes are vital in backing up your argument or illustrating your point. You should aim to integrate or embed your quotes in your writing.

Consider this comment on The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot:

“Prufrock realizes when he sees ‘the eternal Footman hold his coat,’ that he is approaching death, and he is overwhelmed by a sense of failure and fear. Failure because his achievements are no more than a ‘moment of …greatness’ that has flickered out, and fear because he has ‘seen the eternal Footman …snicker,’ suggesting that what he faces in the afterlife is to be feared. This is confirmed in the last half line of the stanza, ‘in short I was afraid.”

Here, the quotations flow naturally as part of the point that is being made. There’s lots more to be said on the subject of paraphrasing and summarizing which is worth researching.

QuillBot’s Notepad is a great place to note your quotations as you research your essay, making them easy to locate and use. Additionally, QuillBot’s Word Counter tool can help you effectively track the word count of your quotes to ensure your writing doesn’t rely on too many quotations.
What is the difference between a narrative essay and a descriptive essay?: A narrative essay usually has a broader focus than a descriptive essay. A narrative essay tells (“narrates”) a story, whereas a descriptive essay focuses on describing a place or a moment in time.

Both essay types require careful use of descriptive and figurative language so that the reader fully experiences the situation being described.

When you are writing a narrative essay or a descriptive essay, you have more freedom with your use of language than with an analytical essay, which requires more formal academic English.

You can use the QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool to express your thoughts and descriptions in different ways when writing a narrative essay or descriptive essay.
What are some narrative essay topics?: There are many possible narrative essay topics, including:

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Write about a time you stepped out of your comfort zone. What motivated you to take that step, and how did it change your perspective?

Reflect on a failure that shaped your character. How did you turn it into a learning experience?

Identity and Values

Who or what has had the greatest influence on your identity? Share a story that illustrates this impact.

Recount a time when you stood up for something you believed in. What was at stake, and how did it shape your values?

Connections and Relationships

Write about a meaningful conversation that changed the way you see the world. Who was it with, and what was the impact?

Describe a moment when you helped someone or made a difference in their life. How did that experience shape you?

Creativity and Curiosity

Describe a time when your curiosity led you to an unexpected discovery. What did you learn, and how did it inspire you?

Write about a creative project or passion that has been important to you. How does it reflect who you are?

Change and New Beginnings

Recount a time you moved to a new place, joined a new community, or faced a significant transition. What did you learn about adapting to change?

Describe an event or moment that sparked a change in your beliefs or worldview. How did it influence your actions?
What is a good narrative essay outline?: A good narrative essay outline will identify the topic or incident and include a topic sentence for each paragraph.

For example, an essay looking at what we might learn about life from our hobbies or pastimes might have the following outline:

Topic: Life lessons learned in a kayak

Introduction:

Hook: When I first sat in a kayak at the age of 15, I was immediately off-balance and mildly terrified.

Thesis: Little did I suspect that, over the course of the next two years, I would learn a host of lessons that would be valuable, not just for kayaking, but for life in general.

Life lesson one: Where your head is will determine what happens to you more than you realize.

Supporting story: learning to keep my head straight

Life lesson two: Just because something might seem to hold you back doesn’t mean it isn’t helping you to keep straight!

Supporting story: instructor tying a “skeg” to my boat

Life lesson three: Dangerous and frightening experiences can be prepared for so that when they happen, you are equipped to cope.

Supporting story: learning how to get out of a capsize

Conclusion: These are just a few of the life lessons that kayaking has taught me.

You can use these topic sentences to guide the content of each paragraph.
What is the best way to start an essay?: It depends a little on what type of essay you are writing. Most college and high school essays will be argumentative or expository, and they need a different introduction from a narrative or descriptive essay.

With an expository, argumentative, or analytical essay, you will need an opening sentence that refers back to the prompt and contains a brief statement of the overall thesis for your essay (e.g., “While there is no doubt that smartphones have eroded the mental health of adolescents, there are some positives that suggest hope if the right changes are made in a timely manner”).

With a narrative or descriptive essay, be more creative and capture the reader’s attention from the first opportunity (e.g., “The place I remember the best is the one that I wish with my whole heart I could forget”).

Although your essay will most likely be read by someone who has to read it, it’s still important to make it as engaging as possible. Remember, yours might be one of several hundred being graded, so do everything you can to make it outstanding.

QuillBot’s Paraphrasing extension can help you come up with the best phrasing for your essay, and our online Notepad can help you throughout the planning and writing process.
How do you start a paragraph in an essay?: The best way to start a paragraph in an essay is with a topic sentence. This is a sentence that expresses clearly and concisely the point that the paragraph will be making.

Possibly the most difficult aspect of essay writing is learning how to formulate your ideas into effective topic sentences. It takes practice, but it is well worth the time spent.

One further advantage of topic sentences is that you can easily create an outline using them, which is the basis of your plan.

QuillBot’s online Notepad can help you during the planning stages of your essay writing. You can also use QuillBot’s Paraphrasing Tool to come up with just the right words for your essay.
What is the difference between a descriptive essay and a narrative essay?: A descriptive essay will generally have a tighter focus than a narrative essay. While a narrative essay will tell a story (probably with a beginning, middle, and end) a descriptive essay might simply focus on describing a more limited location or event.

Both essays allow for more creative license than many other types of academic essay, especially in the use of descriptive language.

QuillBot’s Notepad is an invaluable resource for keeping notes as you research and write, whatever type of essay you are writing or researching.
How long is an essay paragraph?: There is no absolute rule for this, but in general, a paragraph will be between 150 and 250 words.

If it is much shorter than this, then you need to consider if the point you are making is substantial enough or if you have included enough evidence to support your point.

If it is much longer, then you need to consider breaking it down into smaller points when writing your essay.

That is not to say that a 300- or 350-word paragraph will always be too long. But it is a guideline to help you judge the effectiveness of your essay.

QuillBot’s Paraphrasing extension can help you phrase paragraphs in the most effective way. Additionally, QuillBot’s Word Counter tool can help you track the word count and readability level of your essay.
What is a topic sentence?: Put simply, a topic sentence expresses the topic to be discussed in a paragraph in a clear and concise way. It is the first sentence of the paragraph, and the body text expands, explains, and evidences the point expressed.

Writing an effective topic sentence is possibly the hardest part of writing an essay and, at the same time, the most effective way of improving your essay writing.

QuillBot’s free online Notepad can help you keep track of your essay notes, and our Paraphrasing Tool can help you to create effective topic sentences.
What are the first steps to take when organizing a literary analysis?: Getting the first steps right when writing a literary analysis is like making sure a building’s foundations are done properly. If you get it wrong, it undermines the rest of your work.

The most important first steps are:

Make yourself familiar with the text. The deeper your knowledge, the easier it is to analyze it.

Compose your thesis statement.

Write your topic sentences and put them in the best logical order.

Write your body paragraphs.

Write your introduction.

Write the conclusion.

QuillBot’s free online Notepad can help you keep track of your ideas throughout the essay-writing process. When you have finished your first draft then it’s time to proofread your work, check the grammar and spelling (you can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker), check any citations (try the QuillBot Citation Generator), and check for plagiarism (using the QuillBot Plagiarism Checker).
What should a strong conclusion in a literary analysis always include?: A strong conclusion in a literary analysis includes this information:

A reminder of the author’s main theme or purpose.

A summary of how the literary devices or techniques that you analyzed in your body paragraphs are connected to the author’s theme.

A final insight about how the text enhances readers’ understanding about a particular topic or theme.

One way to speed up the process is by using QuillBot’s free AI conclusion writer to show you a sample conclusion, which you can then adjust to match the goals of your analysis.
How do I start a body paragraph?: To start a body paragraph when writing an essay, you should write a topic sentence that includes two pieces of information:

The topic of the upcoming paragraph

How that body paragraph topic is connected to your essay’s main idea

You can also include a transition word or phrase (e.g., “also” or “additionally”) to show how the body paragraph relates to the others in your essay. Here are examples of topic sentences from a literary analysis essay:

One way that Walker develops a theme about cultural heritage is through the use of dialogue.

Walker also uses imagery to differentiate Dee’s approach to cultural heritage from Mama’s.

No matter how you start your body paragraphs, they need to be error free. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will instantly find and fix typos.
What are claims, supports, and warrants?: A claim is, as the name suggests, a claim that the author is making, a key point. The evidence that is given to back it up is known as a support, and the link between the two is called a warrant.

A warrant can be explicit (e.g., “We need to reduce adolescent obesity rates because they have contributed to a terrifying spike in early-onset diabetes”) or implicit (e.g., “Adolescents today have higher rates of obesity, and there has also been an alarming rise in early-onset diabetes”). In this case, the reader is invited or expected to draw the link between the two halves of the statement.

Analyzing claims, supports, and warrants is often part of a rhetorical analysis essay.
What is the purpose of rhetorical analysis?: The purpose of rhetorical analysis can be one of several things. If you want to learn how to write persuasive, effective speeches or articles, then it is worth studying the art of doing so. Or if your interest is understanding how some people have managed to sway their audience particularly effectively, then you also might want to study rhetoric.

This can be of mere academic interest (e.g., a study of successful—or unsuccessful—marketing or political campaigns to understand why they succeeded or failed).

Or it can be of practical use, so that a campaign or speech can be crafted to be optimally effective. Certainly, studying the art of rhetoric can help anyone who wants to persuade someone to their point of view.

It is also of benefit for all of us to understand how advertisers, politicians, or bosses can seek to manipulate our opinions by their use of rhetoric.
How do you write a rhetorical analysis introduction?: Start a rhetorical analysis essay with an introduction paragraph by following 3 steps:

Start with a hook about the topic the author has written about or the author’s text. Why is the author’s text worthy of your reader’s attention right now?

Provide an overview or very brief summary of the text you’re analyzing, including the title, the author’s main purpose or argument, the main content, and when it was published.

Write a thesis statement that includes your main idea about the text and the rhetorical modes (ethos, pathos, and logos) or rhetorical devices that make the text effective or ineffective.

When you’re ready to proofread your introduction, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will ensure that it’s error free.

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What is a research essay outline?

Academic writing: Other interesting questions

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Identity and Values

Connections and Relationships

Creativity and Curiosity

Change and New Beginnings