Example of MLA Outline Format - Research Paper

Sep 22, 2026

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MLA research paper outline template demonstrating a structured hierarchy for organizing an introduction, main topics, evidence, and concluding sections. The outline emphasizes the “two-point rule,” requiring at least two sub-points under every heading, ensuring consistent development of ideas. It provides detailed guidance for attention-getting elements, thesis statement creation, evidence support with quotations, and linking evidence back to the central main idea, plus a full topic example.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

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Pages2

Reading Time1 min

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Example of MLA Outline Format—Research Paper

Introductory Paragraph

Main topic or idea #1

Evidence to support the topic

Another piece of evidence

Main topic or idea #2

Evidence to support the topic

# Example of MLA Outline Format—Research Paper *Remember the "two-point rule":You need at least two points under every heading.Inother words,every letter A needs at least a letter B;every number 1 needs at least a number 2.Also,this template is a guide,and you may add more/less detail per paragraph. ## I.Introductory Paragraph A.Attention getting ideas/general information about your topic:use an interestingquote/statistic/personal story/line from a speech/rhetorical question...that willcatch the readers'attention and begin to engage them in your topic. B.Specific information about your topic,who or what are you going to talk about? C.Thesis Statement:Your opinion on something that relates to your topic. ## II. Main topic or idea\#1 ### A.Evidence to support the topic 1.A detail to explain theevidence a.Quotation b.Link quotation to the main idea i.Restate information you learnedii.Evaluation/your opinion 2.More detail a.Quotation b.Link quotation to main idea i.Restate information you learnedii. Evaluation/your opinion ### B.Another piece ofevidence 1.A detail to explain the evidence a.Quotation b.Link quotation to the main idea 2.More detail ## I. Main topic or idea\#2 ### A.Evidence to support the topic. 1.A detail to explain the evidence a.Quotation b.Link quotation to the main idea 2.More detail a.Quotation b.Link quotation to main idea (Created by M.Colwell,May 2019,Tutor,Palomar College,Escondido Campus) | | | --- | | AN EXAMPLE OF OUTLINE FORMAT
Radio
1.Introduction
II.How radios work
A.Radio waves
B.AM and FM waves are different
1.AM waves
2.FM waves
II.Radio Industry
A.Two ways of assigning call letters
1.Old stations
2.New stations
B.Radio station licensing
C.Careers in broadcasting
1.Organizational struclure of stations
2.On-air personalities
a.training
b.responsibilities
IV.Uses
A.Two-way radio
1.Military
2.Police
3.Play
B.Amateur
1.Private use
2.Business
C.Broadcasting
1.Entertainment
2.News
3.Advertisement
4.Education
5.Talk shows
D.Famous talk shows
1.Old
a.Abbotl and Costello
b.Dragnct
2.New
a.Rush Limbaugh
b.Donut Holes
V.Conclusion | | --- |

FAQs

What is the “two-point rule” in this MLA outline template?

It requires at least two points under every heading. For example, letter A needs letter B, and number 1 needs number 2.

What should be included in the introductory paragraph section?

It should include an attention-getting idea, specific information about the topic, and a thesis statement expressing the writer’s opinion.

How does the template suggest using evidence in main topics?

Under each main topic, it provides a structure for evidence details, quotations, and instructions to link each quotation back to the main idea with restatement and evaluation/opinion.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Adam