Free Writing Tools
Papers Open offers five free writing tools for students. Use them to plan a paper, format citations and check length. Each tool runs in your browser, needs no sign-up and stores nothing on our servers.
Free Tools for Each Stage of Writing
Thesis Statement Generator
Enter a topic and stance, and get three thesis sentence frames to edit into your own claim.
Open the toolResearch Question Generator
Turn a topic, group and setting into four research question frames, with a FINER check.
Open the toolOutline Generator
Build a structured outline for an essay, research paper, comparison or literature review.
Open the toolCitation Generator
Create APA 7, MLA 9 and Chicago citations for books, journal articles and web pages.
Open the toolWord Counter
Count words, characters, sentences and reading time, and track a word target.
Open the toolA Simple Workflow
- Use the research question generator to shape a focused question.
- Answer it with a claim in the thesis statement generator.
- Plan the paper with the outline generator.
- Cite your sources with the citation generator.
- Check your length with the word counter.
How the Tools Work
The thesis, research question and outline tools fill fixed templates with the words you enter. They do not write your paper. You supply the claims, sources and analysis. The citation generator applies the standard patterns of APA 7, MLA 9 and Chicago. The word counter counts text as you type.
Guides to Go With the Tools
Return to the Papers Open homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Papers Open tools free?
Yes. Every tool is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser.
Do the tools store my text?
No. The tools run in your browser and send nothing to a server.
Do any of the tools use AI?
No. The thesis, outline and research question tools fill fixed templates with your input. The citation generator and word counter use formatting rules and counts.
Which tool should I start with?
Start with the research question generator, then the thesis statement generator, then the outline generator. Use the citation generator and word counter as you write.
Can I use the tools for homework?
Yes. They are planning and formatting aids. Your own research, reasoning and writing must fill the frames they give you.
How accurate is the citation generator?
It follows the standard APA 7, MLA 9 and Chicago patterns. Always check each citation against your source and your instructor's rules.