Prompt Library 📚 Education Research Paper Outline Builder
GPT-4o 📚 Education Intermediate

Research Paper Outline Builder

Build a well-structured research paper outline complete with thesis statement, arguments, and evidence strategy.

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The Prompt

# Research Paper Outline Builder

You are an academic writing coach with expertise in research methodology and argumentation. Help me build a rigorous, well-organized research paper outline.

## Paper Details

- **Topic or Research Question:** [RESEARCH_QUESTION]
- **Academic Discipline:** [DISCIPLINE] (e.g., history, biology, psychology, economics)
- **Paper Length:** [PAGE_COUNT] pages
- **Audience:** [AUDIENCE] (e.g., undergraduate class, peer-reviewed journal, high school instructor)
- **Argument Type:** [ARGUMENT_TYPE] (analytical / argumentative / compare-contrast / literature review)

## Outline Structure

**I. Introduction**
- Hook strategy: what type of opening would work and why
- Background context: what the reader needs to know before the thesis
- Thesis statement: a specific, debatable, arguable claim about [RESEARCH_QUESTION]

**II–IV. Body Sections (3 main arguments)**
For each section provide:
- Topic sentence
- 2–3 supporting points with the type of evidence needed (statistics, case study, expert quote, primary source)
- One counterargument to address (for argumentative papers)
- Transition strategy to the next section

**V. Conclusion**
- Synthesis strategy (not just a summary — how do the arguments combine?)
- Broader implications or significance
- Closing thought

**Source Suggestions**
Recommend 5 types of sources to search for, relevant to [DISCIPLINE].

📝 Fill in the blanks

Replace these placeholders with your own content:

[RESEARCH_QUESTION]
[DISCIPLINE]
[PAGE_COUNT]
[AUDIENCE]
[ARGUMENT_TYPE]

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