1

Sample APA Outline: Updated for Seventh Edition Commented [HFA1]: This title should be something
relevant to your topic. Do not use the assignment name as
the title. For example, if your research paper is on Romantic
Communication, you could use
Romantic Communication

Firstname Lastname

Department of Humanities and Fine Arts, Coastal Carolina Community College

COM 120: Interpersonal Communication Commented [HFA2]: Be sure you update this to include
your correct course number and name.

Instructor Heather Abenti

February 24, 2020 Commented [HFA3]: The outline is formal academic

writing, so you need to handle it that way. You should not
use first person or second person (you) in your outline or
paper. Your writing should be in past tense. You should not
use contractions.
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Sample APA Outline: Updated for Seventh Edition

Commented [HFA4]: This word should actually be on point
I of your outline. You will also use the word Conclusion. The
I. Introduction rest of the outline will be all your own words. Anyplace it
has a phrase that ends with “sentence” means you need to
write your own sentence.
A. Attention-getter sentence.
Commented [HFA5]: Notice that each point has the word
“sentence”, as in singular, or 1. Each point should one
B. Thesis statement sentence. sentence long. Other information you want to add will be
subpoints at the next level down, e.g. Point I A has 2
C. Number sentence (optional). subpoints.

At any level, you must have at least 2 points. If you have an

II. Main point #1 sentence. A, you must have a B. If you have a 1, you must have a 2.
Commented [HFA6]: Roman numerals represent major
A. Support sentence (Smith, 2017). sections of your paper. For this outline, each Roman
numeral will have a level 1 heading in your paper that
1. Sentence to support main point A. previews the topic of that section.
Commented [HFA7]: Main point sentences are topic
2. Sentence to support main point A. sentences or mini-thesis statements for that point. You
should preview 2 subpoint in this topic sentence, much the
way you previewed main points in the thesis statement.
a. Sentence further expanding 2.
Commented [HFA8]: Capital letters represent a paragraph
in your paper. For example, your sentence for II will be the
b. Sentence further expanding 2 (Abenti, 2020). first sentence of the paragraph for A. In this outline, B
would be a second paragraph, and C (transition sentence)
B. Support sentence (Wilson, 2017). would be the last sentence of the paragraph relating to B.
Commented [HFA9]: You must have in-text citations for
1. Sentence to support main point A. every paragraph in your paper, with the possible exception
of the introduction or conclusion. Remember, you are not
creating your own research and ideas, you are synthesizing
2. Sentence to support main point A. other people’s research and ideas; therefore, you have to
cite your information. Each capital letter/paragraph will
a. Sentence further expanding 2. need at least 1 citation in-text. You are required to use at
least 5 scholarly sources.

b. Sentence further expanding 2 (Abenti, 2020). Commented [HFA10]: Follow this type of support for each
capital letter A and B in your main points.

C. Transition sentence. Commented [HFA11]: This citation covers all of A since the
previous citation.

III. Main point #2 sentence Commented [HFA12]: Follow this type of support for each
capital letter A and B in your main points.

A. Support sentence (Smith, 2017). Commented [HFA13]: This citation covers all of A since the
previous citation.

B. Support sentence (Wilson, 2017). Commented [HFA14]: You can have as many points as
need, but the last point in each main point section should
be a transitions sentence, connecting that main point to the
C. Transition sentence. next main point.
Commented [HFA15]: The points here are laid out to show
IV. Main point #3 sentence you the different levels of subordination in an outline. You
may not have 1, 2 or a,b for every point. You need to
A. Support sentence (Smith, 2017). expand your points sufficiently to create a 5-page paper.
The more information you put in the outline, the easier
writing your paper will be.
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B. Support sentence (Jones et al., 2017).

C. Transition sentence.

V. Conclusion Commented [HFA16]: This word should actually appear on

your outline.
A. Restate thesis

B. Summarize main points

C. Give implications for future study or next steps to learn more for informative or call to Commented [HFA17]: In this concluding point, you are
transitioning the reader from your paper, to what else
needs to be studied. You can suggest research that should
action for persuasive. be done if you think something is missing or you can suggest
what areas where people can learn more.
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References Commented [HFA18]: Use the Purdue OWL APA guide

(linked in the course resources) to help you format citations.
You are required to have at least 5 scholarly sources. Use
Abenti, H. (2020). How do I teach you? An examination of multiple intelligences and the impact the LRC Research assistant to help you!

on communication in the classroom. Language & Communication, 73(4), 29-33.

http://doi.org/10.1016/j.langcomm.2020.02.001 Commented [HFA19]: This is the preferred method for

citing online articles with DOIs. Be sure the URL is bold,
black, underlined, and hyperlinked.
Jones, S., Yang, K., & Rice, P. (2017). Article title: Article subtitle. Journal Title, Vol#(Issue#),

234-260. https:/doi.org/10.24582.1348

Smith, J. (2017). Book title: Book subtitle. Publisher.

Wilson, S. (2017). Article title: Article subtitle. Journal Title, Vol#(Issue#), page#s.

www.url.edu

Welch J., Brown, C., & Hall, J. (2020). Impact of instructor characteristics on changes in

students’ public speaking anxiety. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice,

20(11), 163-171. https://www-proquest-com.proxy042.nclive.org/docview

/2492325325?pq-origsite=summon

Wood, J. (2020). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters (9th ed.). Cengage

Learning.