example of outline essay writing

Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 10, 2023

A Complete Essay Outline - Guidelines and Format

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 15, 2019

To write an effective essay, you need to create a clear and well-organized essay outline. An essay outline will shape the essay’s entire content and determine how successful the essay will be.

In this blog post, we'll be going over the basics of essay outlines and provide a template for you to follow. We will also include a few examples so that you can get an idea about how these outlines look when they are put into practice.

Essay writing is not easy, but it becomes much easier with time, practice, and a detailed essay writing guide. Once you have developed your outline, everything else will come together more smoothly.

The key to success in any area is preparation - take the time now to develop a solid outline and then write your essays!

So, let’s get started!

On this Page

What is an Essay Outline?

An essay outline is your essay plan and a roadmap to essay writing. It is the structure of an essay you are about to write. It includes all the main points you have to discuss in each section along with the thesis statement.

Like every house has a map before it is constructed, the same is the importance of an essay outline. You can write an essay without crafting an outline, but you may miss essential information, and it is more time-consuming.

Once the outline is created, there is no chance of missing any important information. Also, it will help you to:

• Organize your thoughts and ideas.
• Understand the information flow.
• Never miss any crucial information or reference.
• Finish your work faster.

These are the reasons if someone asks you why an essay outline is needed. Now there are some points that must be kept in mind before proceeding to craft an essay outline.

Easily Outline Your Essays In Seconds!

Prewriting Process of Essay Outline

Your teacher may ask you to submit your essay outline before your essay. Therefore, you must know the preliminary guidelines that are necessary before writing an essay outline.

Here are the guidelines:

• You must go through your assignments’ guidelines carefully.
• Understand the purpose of your assignment.
• Know your audience.
• Mark the important point while researching your topic data.
• Select the structure of your essay outline; whether you are going to use a decimal point bullet or a simple one.

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How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Steps

Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in crafting a well-structured and organized piece of writing. Follow these four simple steps to create an effective outline:

Step 1: Understand the Topic

To begin, thoroughly grasp the essence of your essay topic. 

Break it down into its key components and identify the main ideas you want to convey. This step ensures you have a clear direction and focus for your essay.

Step 2: Brainstorm and Gather Ideas

Let your creativity flow and brainstorm ideas related to your topic. 

Jot down key pieces of information, arguments, and supporting evidence that will strengthen your essay's overall message. Consider different perspectives and potential counterarguments to make your essay well-rounded.

Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts

Now it's time to give structure to your ideas. 

Arrange your main points in a logical order, starting with an attention-grabbing introduction, followed by body paragraphs that present your arguments. 

Finally, tie everything together with a compelling conclusion. Remember to use transitional phrases to create smooth transitions between sections.

Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints

To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point. 

These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

By following these four steps - you'll be well on your way to creating a clear and compelling essay outline.

Essay Outline Format

It is an easy way for you to write your thoughts in an organized manner. It may seem unnecessary and unimportant, but it is not.

It is one of the most crucial steps for essay writing as it shapes your entire essay and aids the writing process.

An essay outline consists of three main parts:

1. Introduction

The introduction body of your essay should be attention-grabbing. It should be written in such a manner that it attracts the reader’s interest. It should also provide background information about the topic for the readers.

You can use a dramatic tone to grab readers’ attention, but it should connect the audience to your thesis statement.

Here are some points without which your introduction paragraph is incomplete.

To attract the reader with the first few opening lines, we use a hook statement. It helps engage the reader and motivates them to read further. There are different types of hook sentences ranging from quotes, rhetorical questions to anecdotes and statistics, and much more.

Are you struggling to come up with an interesting hook? View these hook examples to get inspired!

A thesis statement is stated at the end of your introduction. It is the most important statement of your entire essay. It summarizes the purpose of the essay in one sentence.

The thesis statement tells the readers about the main theme of the essay, and it must be strong and clear. It holds the entire crux of your essay.

Need help creating a strong thesis statement? Check out this guide on thesis statements and learn to write a statement that perfectly captures your main argument!

2. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an essay are where all the details and evidence come into play. This is where you dive deep into the argument, providing explanations and supporting your ideas with solid evidence. 

If you're writing a persuasive essay, these paragraphs will be the powerhouse that convinces your readers. Similarly, in an argumentative essay, your body paragraphs will work their magic to sway your audience to your side.

Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and no more than one idea. A topic sentence is the crux of the contents of your paragraph. It is essential to keep your reader interested in the essay.

The topic sentence is followed by the supporting points and opinions, which are then justified with strong evidence.

3. Conclusion

When it comes to wrapping up your essay, never underestimate the power of a strong conclusion. Just like the introduction and body paragraphs, the conclusion plays a vital role in providing a sense of closure to your topic. 

To craft an impactful conclusion, it's crucial to summarize the key points discussed in the introduction and body paragraphs. You want to remind your readers of the important information you shared earlier. But keep it concise and to the point. Short, powerful sentences will leave a lasting impression.

Remember, your conclusion shouldn't drag on. Instead, restate your thesis statement and the supporting points you mentioned earlier. And here's a pro tip: go the extra mile and suggest a course of action. It leaves your readers with something to ponder or reflect on.

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Structure

An outline is an essential part of the writing as it helps the writer stay focused. A typical 5 paragraph essay outline example is shown here. This includes:

• State the topic
• Thesis statement
• Introduction
• Explanation
• A conclusion that ties to the thesis
• Summary of the essay
• Restate the thesis statement

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Essay Outline Template

The outline of the essay is the skeleton that you will fill out with the content. Both outline and relevant content are important for a good essay. The content you will add to flesh out the outline should be credible, relevant, and interesting.

The outline structure for the essay is not complex or difficult. No matter which type of essay you write, you either use an alphanumeric structure or a decimal structure for the outline.

Below is an outline sample that you can easily follow for your essay.

Essay Outline Sample

Essay Outline Examples

An essay outline template should follow when you start writing the essay. Every writer should learn how to write an outline for every type of essay and research paper.

Essay outline 4th grade

Essay outline 5th grade

Essay outline high school

Essay outline college

Given below are essay outline examples for different types of essay writing.

Argumentative Essay Outline

An  argumentative essay  is a type of essay that shows both sides of the topic that you are exploring. The argument that presents the basis of the essay should be created by providing evidence and supporting details.

Persuasive Essay Outline

A  persuasive essay  is similar to an argumentative essay. Your job is to provide facts and details to create the argument. In a persuasive essay, you convince your readers of your point of view.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

A  compare and contrast essay  explains the similarities and differences between two things. While comparing, you should focus on the differences between two seemingly similar objects. While contrasting, you should focus on the similarities between two different objects.

Narrative Essay Outline

A narrative essay is written to share a story. Normally, a narrative essay is written from a personal point of view in an essay. The basic purpose of the narrative essay is to describe something creatively.

Expository Essay Outline

An  expository essay  is a type of essay that explains, analyzes, and illustrates something for the readers. An expository essay should be unbiased and entirely based on facts. Be sure to use academic resources for your research and cite your sources.

Analytical Essay Outline

An  analytical essay  is written to analyze the topic from a critical point of view. An analytical essay breaks down the content into different parts and explains the topic bit by bit.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

A rhetorical essay is written to examine the writer or artist’s work and develop a great essay. It also includes the discussion.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

A  cause and effect essay  describes why something happens and examines the consequences of an occurrence or phenomenon. It is also a type of expository essay.

Informative Essay Outline

An  informative essay  is written to inform the audience about different objects, concepts, people, issues, etc.

The main purpose is to respond to the question with a detailed explanation and inform the target audience about the topic.

Synthesis Essay Outline

A  synthesis essay  requires the writer to describe a certain unique viewpoint about the issue or topic. Create a claim about the topic and use different sources and information to prove it.

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

A  literary analysis essay  is written to analyze and examine a novel, book, play, or any other piece of literature. The writer analyzes the different devices such as the ideas, characters, plot, theme, tone, etc., to deliver his message.

Definition Essay Outline

A  definition essay  requires students to pick a particular concept, term, or idea and define it in their own words and according to their understanding.

Descriptive Essay Outline

A  descriptive essay  is a type of essay written to describe a person, place, object, or event. The writer must describe the topic so that the reader can visualize it using their five senses.

Evaluation Essay Outline

Problem Solution Essay Outline

In a problem-solution essay, you are given a problem as a topic and you have to suggest multiple solutions on it.

Scholarship Essay Outline

A  scholarship essay  is required at the time of admission when you are applying for a scholarship. Scholarship essays must be written in a way that should stand alone to help you get a scholarship.

Reflective Essay Outline

A reflective essay  is written to express your own thoughts and point of view regarding a specific topic.

Getting started on your essay? Give this comprehensive essay writing guide a read to make sure you write an effective essay!

With this complete guide, now you understand how to create an outline for your essay successfully. However, if you still can’t write an effective essay, then the best option is to consult a professional academic writing service.

Essay writing is a dull and boring task for some people. So why not get some help instead of wasting your time and effort?  5StarEssays.com is here to help you. All your  do my essay for me  requests are managed by professional essay writers.

Place your order now, and our team of expert academic writers will help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of outlines.

Here are the three types of essay outline;

• Working outline
• Speaking outline
• Full-sentence outline

All three types are different from each other and are used for different purposes.

What does a full-sentence outline look like?

A full sentence outline contains full sentences at each level of the essay’s outline. It is similar to an alphanumeric outline and it is a commonly used essay outline.

What is a traditional outline format?

A traditional essay outline begins with writing down all the important points in one place and listing them down and adding sub-topics to them. Besides, it will also include evidence and proof that you will use to back your arguments.

What is the benefit of using a traditional outline format and an informal outline format?

A traditional outline format helps the students in listing down all the important details in one palace while an informal outline will help you coming up with new ideas and highlighting important points

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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How to Write an Essay Outline + Essay Outline Examples

Download for free, how to write an essay outline + essay outline examples .

Writing an essay can seem like a daunting task, but one of the best ways to tackle this challenge is to organize your ideas into a well-structured essay outline. This guide will walk you through the process of creating an essay outline, complete with essay outline examples, to ensure your next essay is a masterpiece.

We’ve compiled a variety of essay outline examples to help you understand how to structure your own essay. We'll cover persuasive essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, expository essays, and even provide a sample research paper outline. Each example will provide you with an idea of how to lay out the structure and details for each type of essay.

Looking for a printable list of essay outline examples? Our printable PDF features essay outline examples and templates that your students can use as examples when writing research papers, or as a supplement for an essay-writing unit

Why write an essay outline? 

An outline serves as the skeleton of your essay, giving you a clear and organized path to articulate your thoughts. Not only does it make writing an essay significantly easier, but it also allows you to present your arguments coherently and effectively.

An essay outline will help you organize your main ideas and determine the order in which you are going to write about them.

Types of essay outlines

Several types of essay outlines can be used when writing an essay. The two most common types are the alphanumeric outline and the decimal outline.

An alphanumeric outline typically uses Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, and lowercase letters, in that order. Each level provides a different level of specificity. This structure is a very effective way to think through how you will organize and present the information in your essay. It also helps you develop a strong argumentative essay.

Alternatively, a decimal outline uses only numbers, and each subsection is a decimal subdivision of the main section. This type of outline is often used in scientific papers.

Persuasive essay outline example 

In the following section, we'll explore a persuasive essay outline example on competitive swimming. The purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince the reader of a particular point of view or idea, using compelling arguments and evidence.

In this case, the argument is that competitive swimming is an ideal sport for kids. The essay will present a series of arguments to support this view, demonstrating the various benefits of competitive swimming for children.

Competitive Swimming, an Ideal Sport for Kids

Introduction

Start your argumentative essay outline by stating your point of view and/or presenting your persuasive argument.

Thesis: Competitive swimming is a great alternative to other youth sports.

Body Paragraph 1

Introduce your primary persuasive argument and provide supporting details in your argumentative essay outline.

Topic Sentence:   Competitive swimming provides the same benefits as other sports.

• Detail Sentence 1:   It is good exercise and builds muscular strength.
• Detail Sentence 2:   It promotes cooperation among team members, especially in relays.

Body Paragraph 2

Introduce a secondary argument and provide supporting details.

Topic Sentence:   Competitive swimming provides some unique additional benefits.

• Detail Sentence 1:   Swimming is an important skill that can be used forever.
• Detail Sentence 2:  Swimming poses a reduced risk of injury.
• Detail Sentence 3:   Each swimmer can easily chart his or her own progress.

Conclude your essay writing with a summary of the thesis and persuasive arguments. Brainstorming details that support your point-of-view is a great way to start before creating your outline and first draft.

Concluding Sentence:   There are many reasons why competitive swimming is a great alternative to other youth sports, including...

Narrative essay outline example

In the following section, we will examine a narrative essay outline example titled "How Losing a Swim Meet Made Me a Better Swimmer." Narrative essays aim to tell a story, often about a personal experience, to engage the reader and convey a particular point or lesson.

In this case, the narrative revolves around the author's personal journey of improvement and self-discovery through swimming. The essay will illustrate how an initial setback served as a catalyst for significant improvement and personal growth.

How Losing a Swim Meet Made Me a Better Swimmer

Introduce the subject of your narrative essay using a thesis statement and a plan of development (POD).

Thesis: The first time I participated in a competitive swim meet, I finished in last place. With more focused training and coaching, I was able to finish 2nd in the State Championship meet.

Plan of development:   I was very disappointed in my results from the first meet, so I improved my training and fitness. This helped me swim better and faster, which helped me to greatly improve my results.

Set the scene and provide supporting details. Again, start by brainstorming different ways to begin; then go ahead and craft an outline and a first draft.

Topic Sentence:   I was embarrassed at finishing last in my first competitive swim meet, so I began working on ways to improve my performance.

• Detail Sentence 1:   I spent extra time with my coach and the team captains learning how to improve my technique.
• Detail Sentence 2:   I started running and lifting weights to increase my overall fitness level.

Provide additional supporting details, descriptions, and experiences to develop your general idea in your essay writing.

Topic Sentence:   Over time, my results began to improve and I was able to qualify for the state championship meet.

• Detail Sentence 1:   My technique and fitness level made me faster and able to swim longer distances.
• Detail Sentence 2:  I steadily got better, and I began winning or placing in the top 3 at most of my meets.
• Detail Sentence 3:  My results improved to the point that I was able to qualify for the state championship meet.

Body Paragraph 3

The next step in the writing process is to provide additional supporting details, descriptions, and experiences. You can then divide them up under different headings.

Topic Sentence:   With my new confidence, techniques, and fitness level, I was able to finish 2nd at the state championship meet.

• Detail Sentence 1:   I was able to swim well against a higher level of competition due to my training and technique.
• Detail Sentence 2:  I was no longer embarrassed about my last-place finish, and was able to use it as motivation!

Conclude the narrative essay with a recap of the events described or a reflection on the lesson learned in the story. Briefly summarize the details you included under each heading.

Concluding Sentence:   I used my last-place finish in my first competitive swim meet as motivation to improve my performance.

Descriptive essay outline example

We will now delve into a descriptive essay outline example. Descriptive essays aim to create a vivid and detailed description of a person, place, object, or event to paint a picture for the reader. The intention is to immerse the reader in the subject matter fully.

In this case, the essay provides an in-depth description of a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The essay will use sensory and descriptive details to create a vivid and memorable experience for the reader.

Visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame

Introduce the subject of your descriptive essay with a thesis statement covering the person, place, object, etc. you are writing about.

Thesis: The Hockey Hall of Fame is full of sights, sounds, and experiences that will delight hockey fans of all ages.

Set the scene and provide factual details.

Topic Sentence:   The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Canada and features exhibits from amateur and professional hockey.

• Detail Sentence 1:   The Hall is located in downtown Toronto and is visited by 1 million people every year.
• Detail Sentence 2:   You can see exhibits ranging from the early beginnings of the sport to the modern NHL and Olympics.

Provide additional sensory details, descriptions, and experiences.

Topic Sentence:   There are many types of exhibits and shows, including activities you can participate in.

• Detail Sentence 1:  Player statues, plaques, and jerseys decorate the walls in every room of the Hall.
• Detail Sentence 2:  Many of the exhibits have movies and multimedia activities that make you feel like you're part of the game.
• Detail Sentence 3:  You can even practice shooting pucks on virtual versions of some of the game's greatest goalies!

Conclude the essay with a paragraph that restates the thesis and recaps the descriptive and sensory details.

Concluding Sentence:   The Hockey Hall of Fame is an experience that combines the best sights, sounds and history of the game in Toronto.

Expository essay outline example

In the following section, we will explore an example of an expository essay. An expository essay aims to explain or describe a topic using logic. It presents a balanced analysis of a topic based on facts—with no references to the writer’s opinions or emotions.

For this example, the topic is "Why The School Year Should be Shorter". This essay will use logic and reason to demonstrate that a shorter school year could provide various benefits for students, teachers, and school districts.

Why The School Year Should be Shorter

Introduce the primary argument or main point of an expository essay, or other types of academic writing, using a thesis statement and context.

Thesis: The school year is too long, and should be shortened to benefit students and teachers, save districts money, and improve test scores and academic results. Other countries have shorter school years, and achieve better results.

Describe the primary argument and provide supporting details and evidence.

Topic Sentence:   A shorter school year would benefit students and teachers by giving them more time off.

• Detail Sentence 1:   Students and teachers would be able to spend more time with their families.
• Detail Sentence 2:  Teachers would be refreshed and rejuvenated and able to teach more effectively.

Provide additional supporting details and evidence, as in this essay outline example.

Topic Sentence:  A shorter school year would save school districts millions of dollars per year.

• Detail Sentence 1:   Districts could save money on energy costs by keeping schools closed longer.
• Detail Sentence 2:  A shorter school year means much lower supply and transportation costs.
• Detail Sentence 3:  Well-rested and happy students would help improve test scores.

Provide additional or supplemental supporting details, evidence, and analysis, as in the essay outline example.

Topic Sentence:   Shortening the school year would also provide many benefits for parents and caregivers.

• Detail Sentence 1:   A shorter school year would mean less stress and running around for parents.
• Detail Sentence 2:  Caregivers would have more balance in their lives with fewer days in the school year.

Conclude the essay with an overview of the main argument, and highlight the importance of your evidence and conclusion.

Concluding Sentence:   Shortening the school year would be a great way to improve the quality of life for students, teachers, and parents while saving money for districts and improving academic results.

Sample research paper outline

Now let’s dive into a research paper outline. Unlike a typical essay, a research paper presents a thorough and detailed study on a specific topic. However, it shares the same foundation with an essay in terms of structuring the ideas logically and coherently. The outline for a research paper includes an introduction, a series of topic points that cover various aspects of the main topic, and a conclusion.

This research paper will explore the background of Mt. Everest, the major explorers who attempted its summit, and the impact of these expeditions on Mt. Everest and the local community.

The Conquest of Mt. Everest

• Location of Mt. Everest
• Geography of the Surrounding Area
• Height of the mountain
• Jomolungma (Tibetan name)
• Sagarmatha (Nepalese name)
• The number of people who have climbed Everest to date
• First to reach the summit (1953)
• Led a team of experienced mountain climbers who worked together
• Norgay was an experienced climber and guide who accompanied Hillary
• Sherpas still used to guide expeditions
• Leader of the failed 1996 expedition
• Led group of (mainly) tourists with little mountain climbing experience
• Loss of trees due to high demand for wood for cooking and heating for tourists.
• Piles of trash left by climbing expeditions
• Expedition fees provide income for the country
• Expeditions provide work for the Sherpas, contributing to the local economy.
• Introduction of motor vehicles
• Introduction of electricity

The Everest essay outline template is based on a research paper submitted by Alexandra Ferber, 9th grade.

Happy writing!

Writing an essay outline is a crucial step in crafting a well-structured and coherent essay. Regardless of the type of essay - be it persuasive, narrative, descriptive, expository, or a research paper - an outline serves as a roadmap that organizes your thoughts and guides your writing process. The various essay outline examples provided above serve as a guide to help you structure your own essay. Remember, the key to a great essay lies not just in the content but in its organization and flow. Happy writing!

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Table of Contents

Have you ever stared at a blank page, an essay prompt looming, feeling completely lost? You’re not alone. Many students struggle to translate their thoughts into a well-structured and compelling essay. The key to conquering this challenge often lies in a fundamental step: writing a strong essay outline. But you don’t know how to write an essay outline.

This might seem like an extra load, but trust me, it’s an investment that will pay off big time. Consider an outline to be your essay’s template. It offers a clear road map that directs your ideas and arguments systematically and sensibly.

Today, we’ll break down the process of writing an effective essay outline, turning essay writing from a daunting task to a streamlined success story.

Why an Essay Outline is Your Secret Weapon

Writing an essay [1] can feel overwhelming, like staring up a giant mountain. You have a goal in mind or your thesis statement, which is like reaching the peak, but figuring out how to get there feels like a confusing journey. That’s where an essay outline comes in to help you. It’s like a map that helps you:

• Organize your thoughts : Just like packing for a trip, you need to gather your ideas. An outline lets you brainstorm and see how everything connects before you start writing.
• Build a strong argument : A good outline helps you focus on your main points and the evidence that supports them. It’s like planning your route. you know exactly which points you need to hit to reach your destination or thesis.
• Write efficiently : With a clear roadmap, you won’t waste time getting lost. You’ll know exactly what goes in each paragraph, making writing faster and smoother.
• Avoid writer’s block : A blank page can be scary! An outline gives you a starting point and keeps you on track, preventing that dreaded feeling of being stuck.

An outline is basically your personal writing coach, strategist, and cheerleader all in one. It helps you get your thoughts organized, build a strong argument, write faster, and avoid getting stuck. So, next time you have an essay due, forget the fear and grab your outline writing tools . You’ll be surprised at how much easier and more successful writing becomes.

In short, an essay outline is your secret weapon for conquering essay writing. It helps you organize your thoughts, build a strong argument, write efficiently, and avoid writer’s block.

What is a Perfect Essay Outline

You might think an essay outline needs to be super fancy, but that’s not true! The best outlines are clear and organized, and help you build a strong essay. Here’s what goes into this winning formula:

• Clear and Concise : Your outline is like a map, not a story. Use short words or key ideas to show what each part is about. Keep it short and sweet – you can add details later in your essay.
• Logical Flow : Imagine explaining your essay to a friend. Your outline should be like a guide for that conversation. Each part should connect easily to the next, leading your friend (and later, your reader) on a clear and interesting path from the beginning to the end of your essay.
• Thesis Powerhouse : Your thesis statement is the heart of your essay, and your outline should reflect its importance. Make sure your outline clearly highlights your thesis and how each body paragraph supports it.
• Evidence Essentials : Don’t just write down what you’ll talk about in each paragraph. A great outline also mentions the stuff you’ll use to prove your points, like facts, numbers, quotes, or even stories. Having this info handy keeps you on track and helps you write faster.
• Balanced Structure : Think of your essay like a team. Each paragraph is a player, and they all need to work together. Your outline helps make sure each paragraph has its own clear job that supports your main idea.

By following these simple ingredients, you can write an essay outline that serves as a powerful tool for writing success. It will keep your thoughts organized, your arguments focused, and your essay on track for an impressive finish!

The Main Parts of an Essay

Imagine your essay is like a three-act play, with each part working together to tell a clear and interesting story. Here’s a look at the main sections of an essay and what they do:

1. The Introduction

The introduction is like the beginning of a play. It introduces the topic and grabs the reader’s attention. You might start with a question, a surprising fact, or an interesting story to make them want to read more.

Then, you’ll give some background information to help the reader understand what you’re talking about. Finally, you’ll state your thesis statement , which is like the main idea of the play. This is a short sentence that tells the reader exactly what you’ll be arguing throughout your essay.

2. The Body Paragraphs

Think of your essay’s body paragraphs like chapters in a story. Each chapter focuses on one main idea that helps prove your main point or thesis. Imagine you’re trying to convince a friend of something – each chapter would be a reason why they should believe you.

To make your chapters convincing, you need evidence. This is like showing your friend proof!  The evidence can be anything from facts and numbers to quotes from experts, or even your own experiences that show your point is true. 

Transitions between chapters, like in a story, help things flow smoothly. They connect one idea to the next, making your argument clear and easy to follow. This way, each chapter builds on the one before it, making your overall argument even stronger.

3. The Conclusion

Wrap things up with a strong conclusion, like the final act of a play that leaves the audience thinking. Briefly remind the reader of the key points you made, but avoid just repeating yourself. 

Instead, explain why your argument matters and what it means in the bigger picture. End with a thought-provoking idea that ties back to your thesis statement , leaving the reader with something to consider and creating a satisfying finish to your essay.

How to Write an Essay Outline: A 4-Step Guide

Writing a great essay can be tough, but there’s a secret weapon that can make things much easier: the essay outline. 

Think of an outline like a map for your essay. It helps you organize your ideas and build a strong argument, just like a blueprint helps an architect build a house. Ready to ditch writer’s block and write your essay with confidence? Let’s break down the steps to creating an awesome outline.

Step 1: Identify Your Essay’s Objective

Every essay has a specific goal, like a top-secret mission! Before you dive into crafting your outline, take a moment to crack the code and understand the type of essay you’re tackling. 

Are you a persuasive detective, building a case to convince the reader of your viewpoint, or argumentative essay? Or are you an undercover storyteller, crafting a captivating narrative that unfolds like a thrilling adventure?

It helps you tailor your outline for maximum impact, ensuring you choose the best approach for presenting your ideas and achieving your essay’s goal.

Step 2: Refining Your Focus

Brainstorming is like a fun playground where you can explore all sorts of ideas for your essay. But now it’s time to get serious and focus on your essay’s main goal.

Think of all your brainstorming notes as a giant pile of toys. Now you need to be like Mission Control, picking the toys that will help you launch your essay into outer space (success!). 

After considering each concept, ask yourself, “Does this support my main argument?” If you can’t give a clear answer about how the idea supports your main argument, it’s okay to set it aside.

Just keep the important stuff – the ideas that are like powerful rockets, ready to take your essay to the top. Getting rid of the “fluff” helps you focus on the best ideas and build a strong, clear outline.

Step 3: Mapping Your Key Points

Now that you have your mission-critical points, let’s turn them into a winning strategy for your essay. Look at those strong arguments you identified the ones that really back up your main idea. 

These will become the main parts of your essay, like chapters in a book, or paragraphs that focus on one key point. Think of it like this: Imagine you’re writing an essay about why your school needs more water fountains. 

Your key arguments, the points you want to make, might be:

• Water fountains save students money.
• Fountains help reduce plastic waste.
• Having more water fountains can prevent heat exhaustion.

All these important details you gathered, along with your main points, are like the building blocks of your essay outline. Having a clear outline is like having a roadmap for writing a strong essay. It shows you exactly where to put all your information to create a well-supported and convincing piece of writing.

Step 4: Building Your Outline

Now you’ve figured out your essay goal, sorted through your ideas, and identified your key points. Time to build the actual outline like constructing the skeleton of your essay.

There are different outline styles depending on the essay type. For now, let’s focus on a basic template that works for most essays with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Here’s how to get started:

• Grab Your Template : There are many outline templates available online or in writing guides. Choose one that’s clear and easy to understand.
• Fill in the Blanks : Using the key points and supporting details you identified earlier, start filling out the sections of your outline template.
• Introduction : Briefly mention your topic and hook the reader. Then, state your thesis statement clearly.
• Body Paragraphs : Each paragraph should represent a single key point that supports your thesis. List these points in your outline, along with some brief notes about the evidence you’ll use to back them up.
• Conclusion : Briefly summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression.

Remember, keep your outline clear and concise. Use bullet points, short phrases, or keywords to capture the essence of each section. Don’t get bogged down by writing elaborate sentences at this stage.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a strong outline that serves as a roadmap to writing success.

Essay Outline Examples

Feeling stumped for an essay topic? No worries! This example shows you how to craft a strong outline for a descriptive essay, focusing on a relatable experience:

Argumentative Essay Outline

Remember, this is just a sample personalize and expand upon this outline to capture the unique elements that make your movie nights truly unforgettable.

Persuasive Essay Outline

Title : Ditch the Car, Ride the Bus: Why Public Transportation Should Be Your Go-To

Introduction

• Briefly introduce the current reliance on personal vehicles for everyday travel.
• Mention the growing concerns about traffic congestion and environmental pollution. 
• Thesis Statement: Public transportation offers a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective alternative to personal car usage, and its widespread adoption should be encouraged.  

Body Paragraphs

 Body Paragraph 1 : Battling Gridlock 

• Main Point : Public transportation significantly reduces traffic congestion on our roads.
• Evidence : Cite statistics on the number of vehicles removed from the road with increased public transport usage.
• Explanation : Explain how fewer cars translate to smoother traffic flow, shorter commute times, and a less stressful driving experience for everyone. 

 Body Paragraph 2 : Saving the Planet, One Ride at a Time 

• Main Point : Public transportation plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
• Evidence :  Cite statistics on the lower carbon footprint of public transport compared to personal vehicles.
• Explanation : Discuss the positive impact of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and creating a cleaner environment for all.  

Body Paragraph 3 : Saving Money on the Move  

• Main Point : Public transportation offers a more budget-friendly option compared to owning and maintaining a car.
• Evidence :  Compare the costs of public transportation passes or tickets with the expenses of gas, car maintenance, and insurance. 
• Explanation :  Highlight how opting for public transport can free up money for other expenses or allow individuals to save for the future.  
• Briefly summarize the benefits of public transportation – reduced traffic, environmental protection, and cost savings.
• Emphasize the importance of a shift towards a more sustainable and economical transportation system.  
• End with a call to action, encouraging readers to consider using public transportation more frequently (optional).  

This example shows you how to take the persuasive essay structure and use it for a new topic. Remember, you can add your own details about public transportation in your area and change them to fit the people you’re writing to!

Admissions Essay Outline

Title : From Shy Singer to Stage Presence: A Band Odyssey

• Briefly introduce your initial discomfort with singing and performing in front of others.
• Mention how joining your school band changed your perspective on music and self-expression.
• Thesis Statement: Participating in my high school band transformed me from a shy singer into a confident performer, fostering a deeper appreciation for music and collaboration.
• Details : Describe your feelings of anxiety and how performing felt like a daunting challenge.
• Explanation : Explain how this initial discomfort almost made you quit the band altogether.
• Details : Mention specific examples of how your band director or peers helped you feel more comfortable expressing yourself.
• Explanation : Explain how the positive and encouraging atmosphere within the band fostered your confidence and passion for music.
• Details : Describe the process of working together with other musicians to achieve a unified sound.
• Explanation : Explain how learning to play your part effectively within the band fostered a sense of teamwork and a deeper appreciation for different musical roles.
• Briefly summarize the transformative impact of band participation on your confidence, self-expression, and teamwork skills.
• Emphasize how these skills developed through music will benefit you in your future endeavors.

Personal Essay Outline

• Briefly introduce the special bond you share with your dog.
• Mention a specific incident where your dog’s actions surprised and impressed you.
• Thesis Statement: During a seemingly ordinary walk in the park, my dog, [Dog’s Name], showcased his bravery and became my hero most unexpectedly.

Body Paragraph

• Describe the setting in detail – what park were you in? What was the weather like?
• Explain what happened – what were you doing with your dog when the incident occurred?
• Focus on the details of your dog’s actions – how did they react to the situation? What did they do that surprised you?
• Explain the impact of your dog’s actions – did they protect you from danger? Did they alert you to something you missed?
• Describe your emotions after the incident – were you relieved? Grateful? Proud of your dog?
• You can mention specific details or reactions from others that highlight your dog’s heroism.
• Briefly summarize your dog’s heroic act and its significance.
• Reflect on the deepened bond you share with your dog due to this experience.
• You can end with a heartwarming anecdote about your dog’s continued presence as your furry hero (optional).

FAQs: How to Write an Essay Outline

These FAQs will provide some helpful information to readers seeking guidance on how to write an essay outline.

When should I write an essay outline?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some writers prefer outlining before diving into the first draft, while others use it as they go. Try different things to see what suits you the best.

Isn’t outlining just a waste of time?

On the contrary, an outline saves time in the long run. By organizing your thoughts beforehand, you avoid getting sidetracked and rewriting entire sections later.

What are some common essay outline formats?

There are various formats, but a popular one uses Roman numerals (I, II, III) for main points, capital letters (A, B, C) for sub-points, and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for further details. Bullet points and short phrases are also common for keeping things concise.

Are there any online tools that can help me outline?

Yes! There are several online outlining tools and templates available. They can provide a visual structure and guide you through the outlining process.

Do teachers always require essay outlines?

Not always, but they can be a valuable addition, especially for longer or complex essays.  If unsure, always check with your teacher for specific requirements.

How long should my essay outline be?

There’s no set length. It should be detailed enough to guide your writing but not so detailed it becomes a full draft. Aim for clarity and functionality.

How we've reviewed this article

Our content is thoroughly researched and fact-checked using reputable sources. While we aim for precision, we encourage independent verification for complete confidence.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essay

We keep our articles up-to-date regularly to ensure accuracy and relevance as new information becomes available.

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• Mar 14th, 2024
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How to Write an Essay Outline with MLA and APA Styles

Got a great essay idea, but feel like sorting out your thoughts is as tough as untying knotted headphones from your backpack? No worries! We've all felt that way.

Whether you're staring down a blank page or drowning in a sea of scattered thoughts, we've got your back. In this article, we're going to break down the writing process of an essay outline into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Plus, we'll cover specific formatting guidelines for both MLA and APA styles, making sure your essay looks polished and professional.

What Is an Outline?

Let's start from the basics. An essay outline helps you arrange your thoughts and plan your essay before you begin writing. It can be your strategy guide to beat writer's block. Instead of wandering around in your paragraphs, hoping everything falls into place, an outline gives your essay format a clear path.

Here's how it works: You write down your main ideas, arguments, and supporting details in a logical order. This keeps you focused and ensures your essay flows smoothly from start to finish. It also makes writing much easier.

Now, you might wonder, 'Why do I need essay outlines? Can't I just write and see where it goes?' Well, you could, but it's risky. Without a format plan, you might stray off-topic, get lost in unrelated ideas, or end up with a confusing mess that confuses your readers.

So, whether you're writing a persuasive essay, a personal story, or an APA or MLA research paper, a good outline is essential. It saves time and frustration and helps you create a well-organized and clear essay that gets your message across.

Wanting a Perfectly Polished Essay?

Let’s breeze through your writing assignments with ease!

How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Simple Steps

Now, before you start outlining, let our coursework writing service give you some extra help to begin. Just follow these four steps to create an outline format that makes the rest of your writing easy. These steps break down the process into simple parts, making it easier for you to understand and follow along.

Set Your Goal Clearly

When setting your goal, ask yourself: What do I want to achieve with this essay? Is it to convince the reader of a certain viewpoint, educate them on a topic, or perhaps entertain them with a captivating story? Clarifying your goal helps you stay focused throughout the writing process and ensures that every part of your essay works towards achieving that goal.

It's also important to consider your audience and what you aim for them to grasp from reading your essay. For example, if you're working on the Divine Comedy summary , think about whether your audience is familiar with the text or if they're approaching it for the first time. Consider their interests—are they more interested in literary analysis, historical context, or thematic exploration? Additionally, be mindful of any potential biases they might have based on their background or prior knowledge.

Remove Unnecessary Details

In this step, it's time to prioritize and trim down your ideas. Take a close look at all the points you've brainstormed and ask yourself: Which ones are absolutely crucial for supporting my main argument or thesis statement? Anything that doesn't directly contribute to your goal should be cut. This streamlines your essay, keeping it focused and concise. Remember, clarity is key. Readers shouldn't have to sift through irrelevant information to understand your main points. So, be ruthless in eliminating anything that doesn't serve your purpose.

List the Main Ideas for Each Paragraph

Here, you're breaking down your essay format into manageable chunks. For each paragraph, identify the main idea or point you want to convey. These main ideas serve as the backbone of your essay, guiding the flow of your argument and ensuring that each paragraph contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative.

Consider how each point relates to your thesis statement and supports your overall goal. By clearly listing the main points of each paragraph in your essay outline, you'll create a roadmap for your writing that makes it easier for both you and your readers to follow along.

Organize Your Outline with a Simple Template

Now that you have identified your main ideas, it's time to put everything together in a structured format. Use a simple template by our business essay writing services to organize your outline in a way that flows logically from start to finish.

Begin with an introduction to set the stage and grab the reader's attention. Then, outline your body paragraphs to present your arguments or ideas in a clear and organized manner. Each paragraph should focus on one main point, supported by evidence or examples. Finally, conclude your format with a summary that wraps everything up neatly and reinforces your main thesis.

By organizing your format in this way, you'll create a roadmap for your essay that makes it easier to write and ensures that your ideas are presented cohesively.

MLA Outline Format

The MLA format essay outline serves as the skeleton upon which your ideas will flesh out into a cohesive narrative. Here's a breakdown of the key components and formatting rules to keep in mind:

• Paper Specifications : Your MLA paper should be standard letter size (8.5x11 inches), with one-inch margins around the entire page. The running head, if included, should be within the margin. This ensures uniformity and readability across different platforms.
• Indentation and Spacing : Start each sentence with an indentation that's half an inch from the left margin. Maintaining double spacing throughout your MLA outline enhances readability and leaves ample space for annotations and revisions. The recommended font size is 12-point, though 11-point or 11.5-point is acceptable. Consistency is key here.
• Securing Your Outline : While it might seem trivial, ensuring your MLA outline is securely fastened in the upper left corner—be it with a stapler, paper clip, or binder clip—helps maintain professionalism and organization.
• Title and Thesis Statement : Center the title of your MLA paper at the top of the outline. Directly below, write your thesis statement, setting it apart by capitalizing the first letter of each word and ending with a colon. This establishes the overarching argument or main point of your essay.
• Headings and Subheadings : Use a hierarchical system for headings and subheadings to denote the structure of your MLA essay. Major sections are indicated with Roman numerals (I, II, III), while subcategories are marked with uppercase letters (A, B, C). Further subdivisions follow a pattern of Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3) and lowercase letters (a, b, c), each ending with a period for clarity.

APA Outline Format

Understanding the structure of the APA outline format is key to organizing your ideas effectively. Here's a closer look at the various formats:

Basic APA Format :

• Roman numerals denote main headings.
• Capital letters signify first-level subheadings.
• Arabic numerals (1-9) are used within those subheadings.
• Lowercase letters are utilized beneath Arabic numeral subheadings.
• Arabic numerals within parentheses further delineate sub-points.

The full sentence outline mirrors this structure, replacing sentence fragments with complete sentences at each level.

APA Decimal Outline :

• This APA format is simpler, breaking headings into paragraphs and numbering them with Arabic numerals.
• Each heading is numbered sequentially, starting with 1.0.
• Paragraphs within headings are indicated by a decimal followed by a sequential number (e.g., 1.1, 1.2).
• Points or sentences within paragraphs are further delineated by additional decimals (e.g., 1.1.1, 1.1.2).

For instance, under the first heading, the first paragraph's first sentence would be numbered 1.1.1, with subsequent sentences following suit.

Outline Examples

Below are the sample outlines for both formatting styles. You'll notice that the MLA outline has a more narrative style, while the APA outline follows a structured format with distinct headings and subheadings.

In MLA, main sections are marked with Roman numerals and subsections with capital letters, whereas APA uses numbers and letters for different heading levels. Additionally, APA includes sections for methods and results, which are typical in scientific research papers, while MLA format typically omits these sections.

Meanwhile, if you're tempted to pay someone to write my paper , remember we're here to whip up stellar samples in any format you desire!

MLA Outline Example

Apa outline example, final recap.

That's all there is to it! We hope you now have a solid grasp of APA and MLA format outlines. Despite their apparent similarities, there are some notable differences between the two. Now that you're armed with this knowledge, go ahead and tackle your outline assignments like a pro!

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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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How to Write an Essay Outline

Have you ever tried writing an essay without an outline? If you have, chances are your ideas went all over the place even though you started out with a specific goal in mind. So when your professor reads the paper, they won’t know what points you’re trying to make or how those points support your thesis statement. If they can’t understand what they’re reading, there’s no way they’ll grade it an A+.

That’s why you should have an essay outline to organize your research or opinions in a way that makes sense for readers. An essay outline helps you structure your writing in a logical flow to get your ideas across more effectively, which also improves your overall writing quality . As such, it also ensures that you don’t accidentally leave out the most critical points you want to convey.

If you’re reading this, you probably don’t know how to write an outline for an essay (yet) or you want to get better at it. That’s exactly what this guide will help you with. You’ll discover what goes into an essay outline and how you can write one for your next paper. Let’s get started.

What is an outline?

An outline is an organization tool that helps authors plan their writing before they start. In other words, it’s a roadmap or a blueprint of your paper. It acts as the foundation of your piece, listing out the main ideas in a logical structure that flows well. Having a topical outline in place also makes it easier to remember all the points you need to form a strong argument or support your opinions.

Although an essay outline isn’t mandatory, it helps you get the job done faster and more easily. When you start writing without a proper plan in mind, however, there could be a lot of restructuring and rewriting. This not only takes time but can be mentally taxing, and you can’t afford that especially when you have other classes to catch up with.

Writing an essay outline involves a few steps – preparation, structuring, and organization. Since this can be a lot of work, it’s best to learn from a writing tutor who will guide you through the entire process and give you hands-on training. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to learn it on your own, and this guide will give you all the basic ideas you need to cover when creating an outline.

Key elements of an essay outline

Regardless of what type of essay you’re writing, a formal essay outline typically has three essential elements – the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Let’s take a closer look at each of these components:

The introduction

This is the section where you’ll introduce readers to your topic and describe why you’re writing about it. It needs to be relevant and attention-grabbing. When writing a college research paper outline, be sure to mention the topic and the thesis statement in your introduction.

Starting your outline with a thesis statement will give you a better sense of how to support the ideas and arguments you present in the body.

This is the section that will contain the most information and it’s where you’ll present ideas and arguments to support your thesis. It should have a minimum of three paragraphs and your outline should touch on each of them.

For each paragraph, note the topic or idea you’ll be discussing. Don’t forget to include the supporting evidence such as data, examples, expert opinions, and facts you plan to use for each paragraph.

The conclusion

This is the section where you wrap up the essay and remind readers about the points you were trying to make. Start by paraphrasing your thesis statement and summarize the purpose of your paper.

Outline formatting

In general, most formal essay outlines use a linear formatting style. This involves ranking your points or arguments in order of importance. So for example, you’ll start by discussing the most important point at the top of your essay body and then gradually move downward.

Considering all these elements, your essay outline will typically look like this:

3 Questions to ask before creating an outline

Before you’re ready to create your essay outline, ask yourself the following questions so you can start with a strong direction. Having all this information in place will make it easier to put together your outline:

1: What’s your goal?

What’s the purpose of writing this paper? Perhaps you want to inform your readers about a specific topic or maybe you want to persuade them to accept your argument. Identifying your goal will help you form a strong thesis statement as well.

2: Who will read it?

For whom are you writing your essay? Yes, you’ll consider writing for a professor when preparing a college research paper outline, but they aren’t your only target audience. Perhaps you’re writing for your classmates and peers, or you’re writing for experts in your field.

If you’re writing a college application essay, for instance, your target audience will be the members of the admissions committee. This means you should be writing for students, staff, and professors alike.

Identifying your target audience will help you understand how to form convincing arguments while considering their knowledge and points of view.

3: What’s your thesis statement?

Now based on the goal of your essay, come up with a strong thesis statement that details your argument and draws in the readers.

Structuring your outline

Once you have a goal and a thesis statement ready, it’s time to structure your essay outline. You can either use an alphanumeric outline structure like we’ve done in the above example, or you can also go for a decimal structure depending on what’s clearer to you.

Alphanumeric format:

Decimal format:

Remember, this isn’t your full essay yet so feel free to briefly outline your ideas in fragmented sentences. However, a college research paper outline will most likely need complete sentences if your professor is going to review it. This will help them understand the ideas and arguments you plan on presenting in your essay.

Putting this all together

Now let’s get to the main event – organizing your essay outline. Follow the topical outline structure of your choice and begin by outlining the introduction. In a sentence, describe the topic you’re writing about. Then follow up with your thesis statement.

You might also want to include an essay hook to make your paper even more enticing for readers. An essay hook is the opening sentence of your introduction, which instantly draws in readers and makes them want to read the entire piece. It could be anything from a relevant quote or a common misconception to an anecdote or a personal story.

Next, outline the body of your essay by noting down the topic or argument for each paragraph. Include the supporting evidence you plan on using such as stats , facts, examples, and expert opinions. Don’t forget to mention how the evidence ties in with the topic and thesis statement.

It will help to include a transition sentence in each paragraph so you can quickly structure your arguments in a logical flow. When you add more details to your essay outline, you’ll find it much easier to organize all the info as you write.

Finally, end it with an outline of your essay conclusion. Make sure you restate your thesis statement to remind your readers of your argument. Then follow up with a concluding statement to validate your thesis and propose any solution or plan to address the issue discussed in your essay.

Outline examples for different types of essays

While it’s helpful to read articles that tell you what to do and how to do it, working with a personal English tutor can give you a much more practical experience in writing essay outlines. Another excellent solution is to learn from example . So we’ve put together outline examples for the most popular types of essays:

Argumentative essay outline example

An argumentative essay, also known as a persuasive essay, involves using logical arguments to support your opinion and persuade readers. This type of persuasive writing will require solid evidence to back up your theory or argument such as facts, research, and examples.

Narrative essay outline example

A narrative essay is a form of descriptive writing where you narrate a story based on your personal experience or point of view. This is the easiest type of essay because it doesn’t require any research or supporting evidence. However, the most challenging part is providing specific and sensory details that would help readers understand your point of view.

Research essay outline example

A research essay is a form of academic writing which involves analyzing the works of other people on a certain topic and build on them using your own opinions or ideas. This is the most common type of essay you’ll have to write as a grad or post-grad student. It can be challenging as it requires plenty of research, coupled with original ideas and critical thinking.

Get ready to write sensational essays

All the tips and examples we’ve provided above will help you understand how and where to begin your essay writing process . It all starts with a good essay outline to organize your thoughts and structure your writing flow. Otherwise, you’ll end up losing your train of thought while you’re in the middle of writing. So make the most of our guide to develop your essay and outline writing skills.

Jacqueline Zote is a copywriter with a passion for all things relating to the English language. Her interests range from pop culture and mythology to social activism. Her short fiction has appeared in anthologies published by HarperCollins Publishers and Zubaan Books.

9 Easy Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills

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How to Write an Essay Outline?

28 August, 2020

8 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

Now that the school year has begun, you will start to receive many essay assignments. One way to organize your thoughts before writing is to create an essay outline. What is an essay outline? It's a tool that helps you organize your ideas and write a better essay. In this article, we will discuss why writing an outline for your essay is helpful, how it will improve your writing, and how to go about creating one.

What is an Essay Outline?

An outline is a tool that you can use for organizing your ideas and structuring your essay in a proper manner. It should summarize your essay and help you organize your content in a logical order. An outline can guide you throughout the writing process and remind you of what you should be writing about. Most commonly, an essay is written following a 5-paragraph structure, addressing the key points that you have laid out in the outline. Below, you will find more about the proper structure of your essay outline and what these 5 paragraphs should include.

Why Do You Need It?

Sitting down to write an essay can be overwhelming. Writing an outline helps alleviate some of that frustration. Furthermore, it will help you organize thoughts, present ideas logically and with a natural flow, as well as clarify your thesis and conclusion.

Find out the basic essay information with this article: What is an Essay?

Overall, an outline will help you communicate your point in a clear and organized format. The structure of your essay will rely on the outline you compose.

Preparing Your Outline

Before you begin writing an outline for the essay, make sure you understand the assignment. Namely, what exactly is the instructor looking for? Our  essay writer  recommends you to follow these simple steps:

1. Develop a Topic

The first step in your outline is to identify your topic. Once you have a clear understanding of the instructor’s expectations, begin brainstorming topics that fit within the assignment. Make a list of ideas and pick the ones that are of your interest. If you are stuck between a few ideas, begin free writing. Give yourself 5 minutes for each idea and just write everything that first comes to mind without editing or stopping. The idea that inspires you the most may just be the perfect essay topic for this assignment. In fact, essays are easier to write and read if the author is passionate about what he/she is writing.

Related Posts: Argumentative essay topics | Compare&Contrast essay topics

2. Identify the purpose, audience, and argument/ideas

Once you have developed a topic, you will need to define the purpose (or the reason) for writing this essay as well as who you are writing for. By having a clear understanding of the purpose, the audience, and the necessary arguments/ideas that need to be addressed, you will be better prepared to write an influential essay.

Take a second to look back over the instructions for the assignment and ask yourself the following questions.

• What are the objectives of the assignment?
• Are there keywords that stand out in the instructions?
• Are you being asked to persuade, entertain, enlighten, or educate your audience?
• Who is your audience? Is it the teacher, the other students, or someone else?
• What arguments or counter ideas might the audience have for your topic/idea?
• What emotions might these ideas bring up and how can you counterbalance them with facts?

3. Develop a thesis statement

Now that you know your topic, purpose, audience and have developed your main arguments/ideas – it is time to write your thesis statement . A thesis is only one to two sentences long and highlights the question your essay will be answering. It does not state your opinion or list facts though, but rather identifies what you will be arguing for or against within the body of your essay. Keep in mind that thesis statements must be accurate, clear, and relevant to the topic.

Structuring Your Outline

Now that you have read the above information, the question is:  how to write an essay outline?

First, decide on what structure to use. There are two main essay outline formats to choose from:   alphanumeric and decimal .

The alphanumeric format uses Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, etc), capital letters (A, B, C, D, etc.), Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and lowercase letters (a, b, c, d, etc.).  This one is more common than the other.

On the contrary, the decimal format only uses numbers. It begins with 1.0. Subsections add a decimal. The most important points under 1.0 would be 1.1, 1.2, etc. The subsections beneath 1.1 would be 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, etc. For a visual example of an essay outline scroll to the bottom of this article.

For the visual examples of the stated outline formats, scroll down to the bottom of this article.

Apply sub-section structure. The more detailed content of your essay will be found within the sub-sections, while the main sections are your fundamental ideas and arguments. Therefore, the sub-sections are the facts that support main sections. Think of the section title as the topic sentence for your paragraph and the sub-section as the tiny details that explain the idea of the topic. Notably, your sub-sections need to flow naturally from one to another.

Integrate paragraphs into your outline. Start fleshing out your section and subsection notes. Your introduction will need to include your topic and thesis statement. For a short essay, this only needs to be one paragraph long. Then, refer to your assignment instructions to clarify the length. Next is the body part – a ‘skeleton’ on which the entire essay is based. This section will consist of several paragraphs, each playing a supportive role in the filling of your thesis. The final section of your outline is the conclusion. This is a summary of everything you have stated in your essay. In this part, paraphrase your thesis statement and highlight the arguments made within the essay to support it. Remember that presenting new ideas and concepts in the concluding sentences is a big academic mistake. Rather, your final words should only emphasize the points you’ve indicated earlier and focus on the already-highlighted ideas.

Essay Outline Examples

Now, it’s time to showcase the most common essay outline types. For you to get the right idea of what an outline actually is, we have transformed the content of the article you are currently reading into an outline.

Alphanumeric format essay outline sample:

Decimal format essay outline sample:

Drawing the Line

Now that you know how to use an essay outline, you are well on your way to writing clear, persuasive essays. This tool will help you improve your writing and earn a higher grade for your essay. Now it’s time for you to get started and make use of this tool.

In case you have any questions, you are free to skim through our essay writing guide where you can find helpful information on how to plan, structure and write different types of essays.

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Trying to devise a structure for your essay can be one of the most difficult parts of the writing process. Making a detailed outline before you begin writing is a good way to make sure your ideas come across in a clear and logical order. A good outline will also save you time in the revision process, reducing the possibility that your ideas will need to be rearranged once you've written them.

The First Steps

Before you can begin outlining, you need to have a sense of what you will argue in the essay. From your analysis and close readings of primary and/or secondary sources you should have notes, ideas, and possible quotes to cite as evidence. Let's say you are writing about the 1999 Republican Primary and you want to prove that each candidate's financial resources were the most important element in the race. At this point, your notes probably lack much coherent order. Most likely, your ideas are still in the order in which they occurred to you; your notes and possible quotes probably still adhere to the chronology of the sources you've examined. Your goal is to rearrange your ideas, notes, and quotes—the raw material of your essay—into an order that best supports your argument, not the arguments you've read in other people's works. To do this, you have to group your notes into categories and then arrange these categories in a logical order.

Generalizing

The first step is to look over each individual piece of information that you've written and assign it to a general category. Ask yourself, "If I were to file this in a database, what would I file it under?" If, using the example of the Republican Primary, you wrote down an observation about John McCain's views on health care, you might list it under the general category of  "Health care policy." As you go through your notes, try to reuse categories whenever possible. Your goal is to reduce your notes to no more than a page of category listings.

Now examine your category headings. Do any seem repetitive? Do any go together? "McCain's expenditure on ads" and "Bush's expenditure on ads," while not exactly repetitive, could easily combine into a more general category like "Candidates' expenditures on ads." Also, keep an eye out for categories that no longer seem to relate to your argument. Individual pieces of information that at first seemed important can begin to appear irrelevant when grouped into a general category.

Now it's time to generalize again. Examine all your categories and look for common themes. Go through each category and ask yourself, "If I were to place this piece of information in a file cabinet, what would I label that cabinet?" Again, try to reuse labels as often as possible: "Health Care," "Foreign Policy," and "Immigration" can all be contained under "Policy Initiatives." Make these larger categories as general as possible so that there are no more than three or four for a 7-10 page paper.

With your notes grouped into generalized categories, the process of ordering them should be easier. To begin, look at your most general categories. With your thesis in mind, try to find a way that the labels might be arranged in a sentence or two that supports your argument. Let's say your thesis is that financial resources played the most important role in the 1999 Republican Primary. Your four most general categories are "Policy Initiatives," "Financial Resources," "Voters' Concerns," and "Voters' Loyalty." You might come up with the following sentence: ÒAlthough McCain's policy initiatives were closest to the voters' concerns, Bush's financial resources won the voters' loyalty.Ó This sentence should reveal the order of your most general categories. You will begin with an examination of McCain's and Bush's views on important issues and compare them to the voters' top concerns. Then you'll look at both candidates' financial resources and show how Bush could win voters' loyalty through effective use of his resources, despite his less popular policy ideas.

With your most general categories in order, you now must order the smaller categories. To do so, arrange each smaller category into a sentence or two that will support the more general sentence you've just devised. Under the category of "Financial Resources," for instance, you might have the smaller categories of "Ad Expenditure," "Campaign Contributions" and "Fundraising." A sentence that supports your general argument might read: "Bush's early emphasis on fundraising led to greater campaign contributions, allowing him to have a greater ad expenditure than McCain."

The final step of the outlining process is to repeat this procedure on the smallest level, with the original notes that you took for your essay. To order what probably was an unwieldy and disorganized set of information at the beginning of this process, you need now only think of a sentence or two to support your general argument. Under the category "Fundraising," for example, you might have quotes about each candidate's estimation of its importance, statistics about the amount of time each candidate spent fundraising, and an idea about how the importance of fundraising never can be overestimated. Sentences to support your general argument might read: "No candidate has ever raised too much money [your idea]. While both McCain and Bush acknowledged the importance of fundraising [your quotes], the numbers clearly point to Bush as the superior fundraiser [your statistics]." The arrangement of your ideas, quotes, and statistics now should come naturally.

Putting It All Together

With these sentences, you have essentially constructed an outline for your essay. The most general ideas, which you organized in your first sentence, constitute the essay's sections. They follow the order in which you placed them in your sentence. The order of the smaller categories within each larger category (determined by your secondary sentences) indicates the order of the paragraphs within each section. Finally, your last set of sentences about your specific notes should show the order of the sentences within each paragraph. An outline for the essay about the 1999 Republican Primary (showing only the sections worked out here) would look something like this:

I. POLICY INITIATIVES

II.  VOTERS' CONCERNS

III.  FINANCIAL RESOURCES

            A.  Fundraising

                        a.  Original Idea

                        b.  McCain Quote/Bush Quote

                        c.  McCain Statistics/Bush Statistics

            B.  Campaign Contributions

            C.  Ad Expenditure

IV.  VOTERS' LOYALTY

Copyright 2000, David Kornhaber, for the Writing Center at Harvard University

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Types of Outlines and Samples

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Alphanumeric Outlines

This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:

• Roman Numerals
• Capitalized Letters
• Arabic Numerals
• Lowercase Letters

If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

The sample PDF in the Media Box above is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.

What is the assignment?

Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.

Full Sentence Outlines

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of the outline. This outline is most often used when preparing a traditional essay. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Decimal Outlines

The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Beneficial Narrative Essay

Beneficial narrative essay generator.

Most of us have experienced writing essays example , especially in school is where we had our formal theme book to write about our favorite literary works. Those were elementary days. During high school and even college days, essay writing continued haunting us. College essays are everywhere and we can’t hide from it. But why should we hide from it? It’s a great opportunity to enhance our writing. We should never be afraid if we commit common essay mistakes because through that, learning can be developed and we become keener next time we write an essay. It is also a way our speed and accuracy can be developed, and challenges like creating your last-minute essay  can be a piece of cake. Commonly, institutions would let us write a narrative essay. What is a narrative essay then?

Narrative Essay Samples

10 sample narrative essays.

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Autobiographical Essay Example

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Narrative Essay Example: The Brown Achievement

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Narrative Essay

Creating a narrative essay is like telling a story. It allows writers to freely express their creativeness while telling a story. The writer conveys his thoughts, feelings, and emotions to the readers through the use of vivid and precise words that are seemingly taking you to the exact happening of the event—the time, place, sensation, fragrance, weather, etc. It often relies on personal experiences; thus, the first person pronoun “I” is used. The story should be well-detailed and organized to explain the whole story and connect the different parts of it. Here are the key points in making a narrative essay.

• It is told from a particular point of view.
• The parts are interconnected and support each other.
• The details are vivid and precise.
• It may use a dialogue.

College Essay Example

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Free Narrative Writing

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Interactive Narrative Sample

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Conventions of Narrative Essays

• It is generally written in the first person, but third person pronouns such as he, she and it can also be used. Always remember that although the first person pronoun is commonly used, it should not be overused. However, note that the author’s perspective should be clear to the readers.
• It relies on sensory details. This means that the author should use clear and precise words to describe the narration in the story. The details should be very specific and concrete enough that will take the readers to the intended spot and will let the readers feel the same sensation as that of the author’s perspective.
• It should include a plot, a climax, and an ending.

Guidelines for Writing a Narrative Essay

• Plot – The plot is the basic structure of a literary work. It encompasses the chain of events and character actions. In writing a plot, decide your focus for the whole story. You might write first the outline for your essay.
• Climax – While the writer is taking you on a journey, the highest peak of the story is the climax. The climax should have the ability to draw the reader in and to continue reading the story. It should have an increasing conflict that can grab the attention of the reader.
• Ending – Your ending should wrap up the events of your story and should link the details to the story. A good ending is when it is linked to the first part of the beginning of the story, and it should be correlated to the whole parts of the story. Conclude with a sense of closure and not with another detail or discussion.
• Establish a purpose. Do not be like a clanging cymbal. If you are saying something, make sure you are making any sense. Have a purpose in your narrative—recounting your own or other person’s history. You have to let your readers engage in your writing by giving them a very interesting purpose that they will wonder what will happen next and what is the ending of your story. You have to keep the readers entertained and curious throughout the story and keep that curiosity firing and addictive. Whether your story is a fact or a fiction, make sure you relay a series of events in an emotionally engaging way. The clearer you tell your story and the more specific words you incorporate into your writing, the more the audience will get an emotional impact and be drawn into the depths of your sea of emotions.
• Specify the point of view.  Narrative essays usually use the first-person point of view but a third-person point of view can also be established. Just make sure that you are consistent with your usage especially with the pronouns I, me, my, myself, mine, they, he, she it, etc. so that the readers won’t get confused. Make the point of view clear but do not be too boring in using those pronouns. Use appealing words that would keep the audience reading.
• Be clear and concise.  In writing your narrative, be careful in selecting words, and be appropriate in your usage. It is more appealing and understandable if the words you are using are interconnected and are very appropriate for the subject matter. Be clear in your description such that the audience can picture the thing out of his mind or the reader can create an image inside his mind through your description. It is wise if you will lay out and describe not only the events but also the surroundings, the reactions, the temperature, the mood, and everything that can take the reader to the very spot you are describing. For example, in describing a seashore, you might not only including in the description of the scorching heat of the sun but also the smell of the breeze, the touch of the sand, the whooshing wind that brush your hair off your face, the calming stringed music, and other things that are very specific enough for the reader’s senses to feel.
• Be organized. In your write up, if you have already included the parts of the story, establishes a purpose, specified the point of view, and being clear and concise, the other thing you must bear in your mind is to organize your thoughts. Even though you already have the aforementioned items, if you are not organized, then your point will be in vain. You have to keep your narration in sequence so the readers can fully be guided to your narration. Do not skip from topic to topic; establish a smooth flow in your story and let the readers go along with your flow.

Literacy Narrative Outline

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Medical Narrative Essay Sample

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Student Narrative Essay Sample

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Teaching Narrative Example

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Narrative Essay Sample: The Rescue

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List of Interesting Topics

Selecting a topic is important since this is your main idea and the point where you will explain everything in detail. The key in choosing a topic is to make you sure that you have experienced that topic enough or you knew someone who has experienced the topic and the topic is appealing to a wide range of readers. If you are looking for one, below is a list of topic that may help you in your narrative essay. What makes these topics interesting is that almost everyone can relate to the topic, and the topics can be expounded into details that are very specific for the readers to understand what the writer is going through.

• First crush – Almost everyone had their first crush. It is usually the first time we feel an indescribable emotion and a little tingle in our ears. We can always say something about this, and almost everyone can still recall the moment they had their first crush. Hence, this topic can be very attractive to almost all people.
• My high school graduation day –  They say graduation day is a day of triumph, but it is also a day of parting—parting from our friends whom we shared so many memories with, parting from our beloved school that we sometimes hate during the lazy days, and parting from our teachers who helped us not only academically but also spiritually. Writing one’s graduation day can bring back someone to that event where you held your head high and wave your togas proudly to your parents. It is easy to write something like this since graduation, for most people, is one of the days that you cannot easily forget. So everything is still clear in your head; thus, you can also transfer it clearly into the paper.
• First day at college –  For some, the universities they are entering in college is the same as that in their high school, but for most, it is a whole lot different picture. A writer can share his experience during his first day, whether he is alone or with a friend, being serious to academics or not, and everything that he might be feeling and noticing at that time.
• What I love about my city –  Some people just love their cities so much that they noticed everything in sight around their city. If you are proud of your city, you might also consider featuring the city in your narrative, the places you have visited, the aura of the city, the air, the people, the food, the streets, the buildings, and anything that caught your eyes that you might wanna share.
• My biggest fear –  You can also share your biggest fear or fears. We all have different fears, but not everyone has the courage to share it with anyone. Who knows? You are sharing a common fear and you are not alone! You might even inspire anyone, the reader, in conquering that fear or on how to become strong to face your fears confidently. You can even include your deepest emotions in your writing.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Write a Beneficial Narrative Essay on the benefits of teamwork.

Create a Beneficial Narrative Essay about the importance of perseverance.