How to Write an Introduction to a Research Paper Outline

The introduction to a research paper outline is the main reason why students, in spite of their expertise, find it difficult to write. The outline is the logical and sequential order for the flow of the paper. A well-formulated introduction has the power to catch a student's attention, to bring him to the end of the paper with him/her already looking forward to the conclusion.

Before you start writing, ask yourself: what is my research paper outline? The outline is composed of two parts: the beginning and the conclusion. Every article must have a beginning and an end. Some textbooks indicate that the first half of the article should be short and easy. The second half should be as long as possible, but not necessarily long enough to consume more time than is necessary to complete the article.

The word 'easy' has a double meaning in this context: it implies that there should be no limit to the length of the paper, and that the whole paper can be finished in one sitting. The first of these, the importance of a great beginning, means that a student should take note of the first few lines of the introduction. There, it is important to make a point of writing the name of the author, and the title of the book/article/paper. It is also wise to mention the title of the directory (where to find the author's website) or the e-mail address (where to get in touch with the author).

The word 'powerful' is a powerful word; it has the ability to develop the writer's interest, to bring him/her to the end of the paper with them already looking forward to the conclusion. After the introductory part, it is good to present a 'testimonial' from a certain expert to conclude the article. This can be done by using the title of the article (if written), or by citing a specific quotation in the middle of the article.

Find a quote that is the perfect summing up of your article. It is advisable to use a quote from a well-known person who is known for his/her expertise, especially if you're an expert in your field.

After the introductory part, introduce a critical section to show how your conclusion will help the reader understand the subject in the topic. You can do this by writing the heading of the section. It would be wise to cite the source of your source material (if used in the article). Another way to add a critical element to the conclusion is to use the phrase 'or the choice you make'.

Writing a research paper outline can be an exhilarating experience. Do not forget to include the introduction, which will catch the reader's attention, and you can finish the article in the end. Just remember to keep your content interesting, to keep the reader's interest, and to leave him/her wanting more!