2026 Guide

Best Tools for
Research Paper Outlines

Plan your paper before you write. Tools that help you structure your research.

Standard Research Paper Structure

Introduction (hook, background, thesis)

Literature Review (themes, gaps)

Methodology (approach, data)

Results (findings)

Discussion (interpretation, implications)

Conclusion (summary, future work)

Tools Ranked

TypeTeX

Start with templates, then use AI to help flesh out sections. AI suggests structure based on your topic and sources.

Paper templatesAI section suggestionsCite while outliningTurn outline into draft

Notion

Flexible for creating hierarchical outlines. Toggle between outline and document views. Good for planning.

Nested outlinesToggle viewsCollaborationFree tier

Scrivener

Built for long documents with complex structure. Corkboard view helps visualize paper sections.

Corkboard viewSection cardsResearch folderOutline view

Workflowy

Simple infinite outliner. Clean interface for brainstorming paper structure.

Infinite nestingSimple interfaceBullet journaling styleFree tier

ChatGPT

Can suggest paper outlines. Good for brainstorming structure, but don't trust specific claims or citations.

Structure suggestionsBrainstormingQuick ideas

Start with a template, outline your paper, then draft with AI that cites your sources.