How To Write A Detailed Outline For A Linguistics Doctoral Thesis


Sometimes, students are sure that an outline is something they need not write in order to save some time. Still, outlines are not that time-consuming, but their value for the whole paper is hardly overestimated. Having it in the course of writing, you will never lose your thought or forget to mention something.

How should a good outline for a linguistics doctoral thesis look like? Let’s see.

  • Start with the intro.
  • The introduction is one of the most important parts of your project that determine people’s interest towards your work. So, give it special attention in your detailed outline. For example, you can list even the order of actions that you take to compose the introductory chapter: the opening phrase, the topic of the project, interesting facts, your own thesis statement. Note: If you use multi-level lists, give the major points Roman numbers, then use letters, and then use Arabic numbers with periods.

  • Give attention to the research questions and literature overview.
  • This part should be organized in the way to show that you have looked through and made familiar with research completed by other specialists in the area. At the same time, show that you have found a gap in the research and fairly decided to fill it in with your project.

  • Do a review of the used methods.
  • Don’t forget to give arguments that will make your readers sure that you have made a correct choice regarding your methods, and that they are able to provide you with good results.

  • Go on to the body paragraphs.
  • Depending on their quantity, you will need the same number of points in your outline. Each body paragraph needs the same scheme of actions, just like the above-mentioned one. You need to remember that within each paragraph there should be certain parts that make the text easily readable and comprehensible. That is, provide your point of view regarding a certain linguistics matter, confirm this point of view with the help of strong facts, and provide a bridge that will keep all these points together and create a smooth passage to the next paragraph.

  • Give attention to the conclusion.
  • As soon as it’s another important part of your research, give it a lot of attention, carefully planning each word. Make sure that in your conclusion outline statements are always confirmed with reliable facts and that it speaks about the same things with the introduction.