Explains how to write an essay outline, with instructions for the outline structure, the format, the steps to approach writing it and tips to make it easier.
Find more education guides, tips and advice
While different teachers or professors may have different requirements, the typical essay outline is at least five paragraphs long. There should be an introductory paragraph, three or more main paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph.
How to write an essay outline: tips
- Consider the type of essay you are supposed to write. Is it narrative, convincing, argumentative or expository? Each type of essay requires a different approach.
- From there, ask yourself the following questions: “What is the purpose of this essay?” and “What should the reader take away from it?”
- Better yet, write the answers to these questions on a piece of paper. These are the things that will give you clarity and focus as you sit down to create your outline.
- Before creating your outline, it is important to take the time to organize it.
- Take a moment to group your notes into categories and arrange those categories to best support your argument or opinion.
- In essence, the notes and ideas that you consider most important should serve as subject sentences for each section of text. And the “supporting details” should be used to reinforce your subject sentences.
How to write an essay outline: the introductory paragraph
The opening paragraph of the essay outline should include a ‘hook’, information about the focus of your essay and your main argument or statement. In the introduction, you should explain briefly and concisely what type of essay it is.
The hook might be an interesting fact, a rhetorical question, or a simple sentence that sets the stage for your essay.
How to write an essay outline: the body
After the hook, you should add bullets or three or four paragraphs that summarize what you will be writing about in each section of your essay. This section should give readers a general preview of what they will read.
In your outline, be sure to include the full set of topics that you want to begin each section of text with. As for the supporting ideas, all it takes is a few sentences or bullet points to improve your memory as you sit down to write the essay.
How to write an essay outline: the conclusion of the outline
Finally, in the last point under the introductory section of your outline, you should write your full closing statement. And while it isn’t required, you may find it beneficial to write the final statement at the top of your outline. Since the thesis is the focus of your entire essay, it is always good to have it in the foreground.
The bottom line, of course, is where to tie your essay together. You want your reader to look up from reading the essay and think about a new idea, thought, or experience.
Start your conclusion by rephrasing your thesis. Then repeat some of your key points. Depending on the type of essay you are writing, you may want to end the concluding paragraph with a call to action or a brief summary of the meaning of your argument.
How to write an essay outline: simple guide to the structure of the outline
The structure of the outline sets the structure for the essay itself, but in a miniature form. Below is the structure for how to write an essay outline 5 paragraph format.
I. Introduction to the outline (1 paragraph)
A hook
B. Introductory information
C. Thesis statement
II. Body of the outline (3 paragraphs)
A. Text, paragraph 1
1. Subject sentence:
2. Supporting idea 1:
3. Supporting idea 2:
B. Text, paragraph 2
1. Topic set:
2. Supporting idea 1:
3. Supporting idea 2:
C. Text paragraph 3
1. Topic set:
2. Supporting idea 1:
3. Supporting idea 2:
III. Conclusion of the outline (1 paragraph)
A. Repeat thesis
B. Summarize the most important points
C. Call-to-action / summary of the meaning of your reasoning
How to develop an essay from the essay outline
Creating a well-structured outline makes it much easier to write the essay. Once you have the outline created to your satisfaction, it is simply a matter of then expanding each section to create the essay introduction, essay body and essay conclusion.
The number of words or paragraphs you use to write will depend in many cases on the word count or word limit you have been set. But the proportions will still be roughly similar to those of the essay outline, except that you will in most cases expand more in the body of the essay.
For example, using the outline structure given above, a sample word count for a 4000-word essay could be:
I. Introduction to the essay (500 words)
A hook
B. Introductory information
C. Thesis statement
II. Body of the essay (3000 words)
A. Main argument
1. Outline main argument:
2. Supporting idea or evidence 1:
3. Supporting idea or evidence 2:
B. Secondary topic for argument
1. Outline secondary topic of argument
2. Supporting idea or evidence 1:
3. Supporting idea or evidence 2:
C. Third topic for argument
1. Outline third topic of argument
2. Supporting idea or evidence 1:
3. Supporting idea or evidence 2:
III. Conclusion of the essay (500 words)
A. Repeat thesis or argument
B. Summarize the most important points you have made
C. Call-to-action / summary of the meaning of your reasoning
