Thesis outline: A step-by-step guide with examples & templates

A thesis outline is a systematic plan that shows how the main fragments of your project should be organized. It helps you arrange your thoughts, research and potential findings in a sequential manner. By outlining your thesis, you ensure that you stay focused on the research question and main points throughout the process.

A well-constructed thesis outline is important, since it helps:

• Organize your ideas logically
• Visualize the flow of your thesis
• Ensure no important idea is missed
• Save time during the writing process.

Institutional and disciplinary guidelines may influence how you compose your thesis outline. Some instructors provide samples, but if you’re left without one, don’t worry. We will explain how to write a thesis outline and provide templates you can customize for your work.

Thesis outline example

The outline breaks down the thesis into its main chapters. It can also cover detailed subsections that map out specific arguments or research topics within each chapter.

There are several different types of thesis paper outlines. Below, we’ll present a standard thesis outline sample that can be adapted to most projects. This template is a practical starting point to guide you through the process.

Example of a thesis outline

1. Abstract (~150-300 words)
   • State the research question/problem
   • Describe the methods
   • Summarize the main results
2. Introduction
   • Introduce your research question
   • Explain the topic background and significance
   • Present your hypothesis
   • Outline the main portions of your work
3. Literature review
   • Summarize existing studies
   • Identify gaps in the literature
   • Explain how your thesis will address these gaps
4. Methodology
   • Explain the research design
   • Describe how you collected data (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments)
   • Specify how you analyzed the collected data (e.g., statistical methods, coding)
5. Results
   • Present the findings
   • Use charts, graphs, or tables
6. Discussion
   • Interpret your results
   • Discussing implications of your outcomes
   • Identify if there are any limitations
7. Conclusion
   • Summarize your key findings
   • Restate the significance of your research
   • Propose areas for future research

Thesis outline template

We've prepared a thesis outline template that can be customized according to your specific needs. This sample is flexible and adaptable to various disciplines and academic degrees. Feel free to download it and adjust it as necessary to fit your undergraduate or senior level.

How to write a thesis outline step by step

Your instructor may request a prior plan before you begin writing a thesis. But even if you aren’t required to provide one, it’s a great idea to create an outline for a thesis. Here’s how to do that.

1. Identify a research problem.Start by determining a research problem you want to explore. Your outline will revolve around this central topic.
2. Choose a thesis outline format.Decide how you'd like to line up your key ideas and subtopics. Do you want to use full sentences or brief points? Will your outline rely on numbers or a bulleted list? Select the format that best suits your approach.
3. Break down your thesis into segments.Arrange your thesis by grouping related ideas and topics. Based on this scheme, assign headings to the major segments (e.g., introduction, literature review, methodology).
4. Organize ideas hierarchically.Once you’ve identified the main blocks, start organizing them hierarchically. A good approach is to begin with the big picture, like your introduction, and then gradually move into more detailed topics (e.g., research question, study objectives). Always move from general to specific.Example
   • Introduction
     • Research background
       • Topic importance
       • Key theoretical concepts
     • Problem statement
       • The gap in existing research
       • Research objectives
5. Formulate subheadingsMake sure to allocate subheadings under each heading. This is where you’ll start thinking about specific content. For example, the Introduction could be split into:
   • Background: introduce the topic and its relevance.
   • Research problem: discuss the specific issues you aim to address.
   • Objectives: outline your research goals or hypotheses.

Level of detail in the outline of a thesis

Depending on your needs, your thesis outline can be either high-level or detailed. A high-level (basic) outline focuses only on the main sections and subsections. A detailed outline, on the other hand, will list specific points, supporting arguments, and even references that back up your research.

For example, a basic thesis outline might look like this:

1. Introduction
   1. Background
   2. Research questions

This is how a more detailed outline will appear:

1. Introduction
   1. Background of the study
      1. Importance of the topic in current research
      2. Relation to theoretical frameworks
   2. Research questions
      1. Main research question:"How does X affect Y?"
      2. Sub-questions related to specific variables

Types of thesis paper outline formats

There’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to formatting your thesis outline. The format you choose will depend on your research approach and how much detail you are going to integrate in your plan. Each format has its own purpose, and understanding their strength will help you sort out your ideas in a coherent way.

Here are the most common types:

• Traditional (alphanumeric)
• Full-sentence
• Decimal.

Now, let’s go over each format in more detail so you can decide which one works best for your thesis.

Traditional (alphanumeric) thesis outline

The alphanumeric thesis outline looks like a combination of Roman numerals, capital letters, numbers, and lowercase letters used to show the hierarchy. You’ve probably seen this one before – it’s the classic outline style that helps keep your ideas in order without getting too complicated. This outline is best suited for most thesis papers, as it is flexible and easy to follow.

Example

1. Introduction
   1. Background on social media usage
      1. Global growth of platforms
      2. Increased engagement among demographics
   2. Importance of mental health and social media
   3. Research problem: Unclear relationship between social media and mental health
   4. Problem statement: Investigating effects of social media on anxiety, depression, and addiction in young adults
2. Literature Review
   1. Positive impacts of social media
      1. Social connectivity
      2. Mental health support communities
   2. Negative impacts of social media
      1. Social comparison
         1. Link to depression
         2. Influence of cyberbullying
      2. Addiction and overuse
         1. Signs of addiction
         2. Daily disruptions

Full-sentence thesis outline

In a full-sentence outline of a thesis, each point is expressed as a full sentence, which helps clarify your ideas upfront. It’s useful when you need to give more detailed explanations, especially if your research is based on complicated information.

Example

1. Introduction
   1. AI is transforming healthcare by improving diagnostics and treatment.
   2. AI’s role in healthcare is growing, with benefits like accuracy and efficiency.
   3. The research problem examines AI's opportunities and challenges in healthcare.
   4. This thesis investigates AI’s impact, challenges, and ethical concerns in healthcare.

Decimal thesis outline

A decimal outline uses the numbers with decimal points to mark down the ideas and show the relationship between them. This method is particularly useful in technical fields where a researcher needs to present information systematically.

Example

1. Introduction
   1. Overview of climate change
      1. Definition
      2. Causes of climate change
      3. Global trends in temperature rise and weather patterns
   2. Importance of studying the impact on agriculture
   3. The effects of climate change on agricultural productivity and sustainability

Thesis chapter outline

A thesis chapter outline is a short paragraph that tells readers how your thesis is organized. It goes at the end of your introduction. It looks like a road map that quickly goes over each chapter and highlights its most important points.

Here's an example:

In Chapter 1, I will introduce the issue and articulate the research question. Chapter 2 will provide a review of the literature, followed by a discussion of the technique in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 will present the study's findings, while Chapter 5 will examine their implications.

Adjust a thesis outline

Your thesis outline should be personalized. While templates provide a good starting point, they aren’t custom-made. Depending on your topic, research methods, and your institution’s guidelines, you might need to adjust the arrangement.

Follow our instructions to customize an outline for your thesis paper:

1. Revise headings and subheadings to better represent the specific focus of your work.
2. Include or exclude items depending on whether your research leans toward qualitative or quantitative analysis.
3. Add extra chapters if your research involves multiple case studies or an extended literature review.

Tips on how to do a thesis outline

When working on your thesis outline, it’s important to ensure it’s clear and consistent. Follow these tried-and-tested practices to make it stand out:

1. Start with the core ideas of your thesis and build your outline around them. Avoid overcomplicating things by sticking to the essential points.
2. Use a consistent format throughout, especially for similar fragments. This makes your outline easier to follow and more professional.
3. Offer enough information to guide your work, but don’t overload your outline with unnecessary details.
4. Your research might evolve, so be ready to make changes and adjustments to your outline along the way.
5. Regularly review your outline to make sure your ideas are presented in a logical order, and everything connects smoothly.

Final thoughts on thesis outline

When creating a senior thesis outline, remember to stay flexible. Your research might progress in a slightly different direction, so be ready to adjust your outline as necessary.

Need personalised assistance? Contact our online thesis writing service for personalized assistance. Our experts will provide a top-notch thesis tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you need help with outlining, drafting, or polishing your thesis, we’re here to support you every step of the way.