Unlike essays, research papers typically divide the body into sections with separate headings for easy navigation and scanning. Use the divisions in your plan as a guide. Follow your plan and proceed paragraph by paragraph. Since this is just the first draft, don't worry about making every word perfect. An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below: 3rd Edition Paper Model. This template was created and saved as a Word template for Microsoft. The process of saving and using the template is the same for the template. An outline is the skeleton of your essay, in which you list arguments and subtopics in a logical order. A good outline is an important element in writing a good article. An outline helps focus your research areas, keeps you in scope without straying from the topic, and it can also help you keep your argument in good order when writing the paper. Table of contents: Introduce your topic: Describe the context: Establish your research problem: Specify your objectives: Plan your article. Examples of research paper introductions. Frequently asked questions about research paper introduction. Indicate the second-level headings below the corresponding first-level heading. If applicable, indicate third-level headings under the corresponding second-level heading. Write the page number for each title. Put the contents in a two-column table. Title the page with “Table of Contents.” ".