Build a Research Paper Outline
Generate a complete academic research paper outline with abstract, sections, and source suggestions.
This prompt produces a complete academic research paper outline — from working title and placeholder abstract through literature review themes, methodology, expected findings, discussion, and a starter list of sources to track down. It's calibrated to the audience level you specify, so the depth differs for an undergraduate essay versus a graduate thesis. Use it at the start of a paper when you have a topic but need a defensible structure before you start writing or searching the literature.
You are an academic research advisor. Build a detailed research paper outline on [RESEARCH TOPIC] for a [UNDERGRADUATE / GRADUATE / PROFESSIONAL] audience. Include: (1) Working title, (2) Abstract (3-sentence placeholder), (3) Introduction with thesis placement, (4) Literature review structure with 4-5 sub-themes to cover, (5) Methodology section with approach justification, (6) Expected findings section, (7) Discussion and implications, (8) Conclusion, (9) 8-10 suggested academic sources to find.
What you can expect back
Working title: "Compressed but Recovered? Four-Day Work Weeks and Burnout in Knowledge-Work Firms" Abstract (placeholder): This study examines whether a four-day work week reduces burnout among knowledge workers. Using [method], it analyzes [sample] across [period]. Findings suggest [result], with implications for [audience]. Introduction: Establish the rise of four-day-week trials; place thesis at end of section 1 — that reduced scheduled hours lower emotional exhaustion only when workload is also reduced. Literature review sub-themes: 1. Definitions and models of burnout (Maslach framework) 2. Working-time reduction research and outcomes 3. Knowledge work and autonomy as moderators 4. Existing four-day-week trial evidence 5. Gaps: short trial durations, self-report bias Methodology: Mixed-methods — pre/post burnout inventory plus interviews; justify why self-report is appropriate and how to mitigate its bias. Expected findings: Lower exhaustion scores, mixed productivity effects, stronger gains where workload was cut not just compressed. Discussion & implications: For HR policy and for future longitudinal study. Suggested sources to find: Maslach & Leiter on burnout; Pang on shorter work weeks; recent Icelandic and UK trial reports; and journal articles on working-time reduction. Verify each in your library database before citing.
Illustrative example — your results will vary by tool and inputs.
Get sharper results
- 01Narrow the [RESEARCH TOPIC] to a single question — 'burnout in knowledge work' yields a sprawling outline, while a specific causal claim yields a focused, defensible one.
- 02Treat the suggested sources as leads to verify, not citations — ask it to describe each source's likely topic so you can search for the real paper, and never cite anything you haven't read.
- 03Tell it your target page count or word count so the section depth matches your actual assignment.
- 04Ask it to phrase the thesis as a falsifiable claim, which forces a sharper methodology and discussion than a vague topic statement.
- 05Specify your discipline's citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) if you want the source list formatted to match.
Adapt it for your case
Ask it to expand just the literature-review section into a detailed sub-outline with themes and counter-arguments.
Request a heavier methodology section with variables, hypotheses, and a proposed analysis plan.
Ask it to compress the whole outline into a single 250-word structured abstract for submission.
Common questions
Are the suggested sources real?
Treat them as starting points, not verified citations. AI can invent plausible-sounding references, so search each one in your library database or Google Scholar and only cite what you can actually locate and read.
Can it match my professor's required structure?
Yes — paste the assignment rubric or required section list and ask it to build the outline to match that exact structure.
Will the outline be enough to start writing?
It gives you a strong skeleton, but you still need to do the actual literature search and analysis. Use it to organize your thinking, not to skip the research.
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