AP Lit Research 2024: Outline

By creating an outline, you are setting your paper up for success.  

1. Organized paper

2. Includes all necessary evidence you gathered

3. Recognize any gaps in your research

4. Impress your teachers

There are various formats for creating an outline.  The following is one example of an outline.

On the screen for creating Notecards, check the Outline option at the top of the screen.  You will then see an outline format on the right side of the screen.

To get started, use the tools at the top of the outline to add topics and subtopics.

Topic: Main idea of your paragraphs

Subtopics: Evidence to support your main idea

Drag your notecards to the outline to add evidence from sources. A checkmark appears on notecards that have been utilized.

 Export the outline to Google Docs

Click the share arrow at the top of the Noodletools screen.

Choose Export with Notecards from the menu.  (If you do not see this option, make sure you have the outline box checked.)

A new menu appears.  See the image below for the items you will need to export.  Do not export everything - it will be too busy.

The Google Doc now has your note cards in order from your outline.  Now it is time to craft your paper using the outline.  

How can I use the outline to write my paper?

First, go through the outline and determine which part of the note card you want to keep (Direct quote, Paraphrase or My Ideas).  Delete the other pieces.  It does include the full citation in the outline.  Instead, you can put the in-text citation information after the notecard sentences.  

If you are keeping the direct quote text in the outline, make sure it included quotation marks around the quote.