MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used citation style for writing research papers and citing sources in the liberal arts and humanities. An outline is a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas before you start writing a paper. Using a template can make the process of creating an outline easier and ensure that your outline is properly formatted according to MLA guidelines.
Here is a template for an outline in MLA format:
I. Introduction
- A. Background information on the topic
- B. Thesis statement
II. Body
- A. First main point
- Supporting detail
- Supporting detail
- B. Second main point
- Supporting detail
- Supporting detail
- C. Third main point
- Supporting detail
- Supporting detail
III. Conclusion
- A. Restate thesis
- B. Summarize main points
- C. Closing thoughts
It's important to note that this is just a general template and your outline may differ depending on the specific requirements of your assignment or the complexity of your paper.
To begin your outline, start with the introduction section. In this section, you should provide some background information on your topic and state your thesis statement. The thesis statement is a concise statement that sums up the main points of your paper and states your stance on the topic.
Next, move on to the body of your outline. In this section, you should list your main points and provide supporting details for each point. Each main point should be a separate section, with subpoints listed underneath. You should have at least three main points in your outline, but you can have more depending on the length of your paper.
Finally, conclude your outline with the conclusion section. In this section, you should restate your thesis, summarize your main points, and provide any final thoughts or conclusions you have reached.
It's important to keep in mind that an outline is a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and should be revised as you continue to develop and refine your paper. You may need to add or remove sections or reorganize your points as you continue to work on your paper.
By using an outline template, you can ensure that your outline is properly formatted and helps you effectively organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing your paper. This can save time and make the writing process more efficient and effective.