essay outline online

AI Essay Outline Generator

Generate unique and creative essay outlines quickly.

Instructions

• Type in the topic or subject matter of your essay.
• Press "Generate Outline" and Typli will generate an essay outline for you.

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Unlock the Power of Essay Writing: Discover the Essay Outline Generator

Writing an essay can sometimes feel like navigating through a maze without a map – you know you have a destination, but the path to get there is unclear. For students, professionals, and writers alike, the journey to a well-structured and articulate essay is a critical one. That’s where an essay outline generator comes in – your digital compass to guide you through the writing process, ensuring every point is hit and every idea effectively conveyed.

What is an Essay Outline Generator?

An essay outline generator is a tool used to provide a framework for your essay. Think of it as a skeleton of your writing; it highlights the main points, giving you a clear structure to flesh out with your words. This powerful tool is designed to streamline the essay creation process, breaking it into manageable parts, ultimately saving you time and leading to higher quality work.

How Does It Work?

Most essay outline generators follow a relatively simple process that requires input from the user to produce a customized outline. Here’s a general breakdown of how it works:

Topic Input: You input your essay’s topic or thesis statement into the generator.

Organizing Structure: The generator uses an algorithm to arrange these points in a logical structure, which often follows the introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion format.

Outline Output: The final product is a clear and cohesive essay outline that acts as a blueprint for your writing.

Benefits of Using an Essay Outline Generator

Streamlines the writing process.

With an outline, you can straighten out your thoughts before diving into the writing process. It provides a roadmap that helps to ensure your essay has a defined beginning, middle, and end, which is crucial for maintaining a logical flow and keeping your reader engaged.

For many, the planning phase of essay writing is the most time-consuming. An outline generator can significantly speed up this step, leaving you with more time to focus on research and the actual writing.

Provides Structure

A well-thought-out structure is key to a great essay. An outline generator can help you structure your essay in a way that supports your thesis statement and strengthens the overall argument or narrative.

Enhances Focus

When you have a clear outline, it’s harder to go off on a tangent. The generator keeps you focused on your main points, ensuring that all content in your essay is relevant and purposeful.

Tailors to Different Essay Types

Whether you’re writing an argumentative essay, a compare and contrast piece, or a narrative, an outline generator can tailor your structure to suit the specific needs of your essay type.

Features to Look for in an Essay Outline Generator

While there are numerous essay outline generators available online, not all are created equal. Here are some features to look out for when choosing the right tool:

User-friendly Interface: The generator should be easy to navigate.

Exporting Capabilities: The ability to export your outline to a word processor is crucial for many writers.

Guidance and Tips: Some generators offer tips and prompts to help you refine your points and structure.

Practical Tips for Using an Essay Outline Generator

Always refine the outline.

The output from the generator is a great starting point, but it’s only as good as the information you put in. Always review and refine your outline to ensure it aligns perfectly with your essay’s focus.

Embrace Flexibility

An outline isn’t a binding contract. If your research leads you in a slightly different direction, don’t be afraid to adjust your outline accordingly.

Utilize the Generator at Different Stages

You can return to the outline generator throughout the writing process. Perhaps after drafting you see new connections or remember additional supporting points – the generator can be used to re-structure your work effectively.

Combine with Other Tools

An outline generator should be one of many tools in your writing toolkit. Combine it with a grammar checker, plagiarism detector, and citation generator to optimize the quality and originality of your essay.

The Human Touch is Irreplaceable

It’s essential to remember that while an essay outline generator is a powerful ally in the writing process, it’s not a replacement for critical thinking and creativity. The tool can help with the foundations of your essay, but the depth, analysis, and nuanced understanding come from you, the writer.

Final Thoughts

In our fast-paced, information-driven age, anything that can streamline a complex task is a welcome asset. An essay outline generator is just that – a modern tool designed to guide writers through the essay-making journey more swiftly and with greater clarity. Leveraging its benefits can result in stronger, more cohesive, and well-argued essays that stand out. Whether you’re working on an academic assignment, a personal project, or content for professional purposes, embracing the power of this neat little innovation can elevate your writing to the next level.

Step into effortless content creation with Typli and elevate your writing today. Experience AI content writing made simple.

Your Partner in Academic Excellence

Essay Outline Generator

Are you tired of the endless struggle to create well-structured essay and research paper outlines? Introducing Jenni AI, your exceptional essay outline generator designed to streamline the process of structuring your academic work.

Loved by over 3 million academics

Chosen by Academics from Leading Universities

When you choose Jenni AI, you're choosing a tool that's been endorsed by the academic community for its commitment to learning, creativity, and integrity.

Utilize Jenni AI's Essay Outline Generator Capabilities

Imagine a world where writer's block is a thing of the past and creating well-organized outlines is as effortless as a click of a button. With Jenni, that world is now a reality.

Inspiration on Demand

Jenni takes your essay or paper topic and transforms it into a structured outline, providing you with a roadmap for your writing journey.

Get started

More Time for Creativity

We'll handle the groundwork, allowing you to focus on developing your ideas and crafting compelling content.

Effortless Writing Process

Say goodbye to writer's block and hello to a smooth outlining process. With our tool, you'll have a clear and logical structure to follow, making your writing journey a breeze.

Academic Integrity: Our Commitment

We want to make it clear: Jenni AI is all about supporting your learning journey and enhancing your writing skills. We're committed to academic integrity, and our outline generator is a tool designed to assist, not replace, your creativity and knowledge.

How Does Our Outline Generator For Essay Work?

Using Jenni AI is as easy as 1-2-3

Sign Up for Free

Sign up effortlessly with basic information and a secure password to activate your free Jenni AI account.

Enter Your Essay Topic

Input your essay topic, check "Outline Builder," and let our AI technology work its magic.

Customize and Refine

Personalize your generated outline, add your thesis statement, and refine paragraphs for a seamless writing experience.

Expand Your Writing

Watch as your content transforms into a more detailed, comprehensive piece of writing.

What Our Users Say

Discover how Jenni AI has made a difference in the lives of academics just like you

I thought AI writing was useless. Then I found Jenni AI, the AI-powered assistant for academic writing. It turned out to be much more advanced than I ever could have imagined. Jenni AI = ChatGPT x 10.

Charlie Cuddy

@sonofgorkhali

Love this use of AI to assist with, not replace, writing! Keep crushing it @Davidjpark96 💪

Waqar Younas, PhD

@waqaryofficial

4/9 Jenni AI's Outline Builder is a game-changer for organizing your thoughts and structuring your content. Create detailed outlines effortlessly, ensuring your writing is clear and coherent. #OutlineBuilder #WritingTools #JenniAI

I started with Jenni-who & Jenni-what. But now I can't write without Jenni. I love Jenni AI and am amazed to see how far Jenni has come. Kudos to http://Jenni.AI team.

Jenni is perfect for writing research docs, SOPs, study projects presentations 👌🏽

Stéphane Prud'homme

http://jenni.ai is awesome and super useful! thanks to @Davidjpark96 and @whoisjenniai fyi @Phd_jeu @DoctoralStories @WriteThatPhD

Frequently asked questions

What is jenni ai's outline generator, is jenni ai’s outline generator free to use, how does jenni ai help with the writing process, does jenni ai's outline generator guarantee a perfect outline.

Can I customize the generated outline to fit my needs?

Is using Jenni AI's outline generator suitable for professionals and content creators?

Can Jenni AI help with citations and references?

Does using Jenni AI's outline generator guarantee a better grade?

Is my data secure with Jenni AI?

What Sets Us Apart?

Discover the unique features that make it the go-to choice for writers seeking powerful and ethical writing assistance.

Feature Featire

COMPETITORS

Advanced AI Technology

We harness advanced AI technology to provide you with a well-structured and effective outline. Our algorithms are continually evolving to ensure the best results for your essay or paper.

While some competitors offer AI-driven solutions, they may not always keep pace with the latest advancements in the field, potentially limiting their effectiveness.

User-Friendly Interface

Our user-friendly platform ensures that generating and customizing your outline is a straightforward process. We prioritize a seamless user experience to save you time and effort.

Some competitors may have complex interfaces that can be challenging to navigate, hindering your productivity.

Comprehensive Customization

Jenni's outline generator allows for comprehensive customization, empowering you to tailor your outline to your specific needs and preferences.

While competitors may offer customization options, they may not provide the same level of flexibility and adaptability.

Versatility

Whether you're a student, academic, or content creator, Jenni caters to a diverse range of users and essay topics. Our tool is suitable for various writing styles and purposes.

Competitors may have limitations in terms of the types of essays or papers they can assist with, restricting their usefulness for certain users.

Commitment to Academic Integrity

We are committed to upholding academic integrity. Our tool is designed to assist you in the writing process, emphasizing the importance of learning and creativity.

Some competitors may not be as stringent in their commitment to academic integrity, potentially raising concerns about the quality and originality of the content generated.

Cost-Effective Solutions

We offer a free account option, ensuring accessibility to a wide range of users. Our commitment to affordability makes us a cost-effective choice for students and professionals alike.

Competitors may have pricing structures that are less accommodating, potentially placing financial constraints on users.

Your Writing Journey Begins Here

Unlock the true potential of your writing with Jenni.ai's outline generator. Sign up for a free account today and experience the difference that advanced AI technology can make in your writing journey!

AI essay outline generator: Create an outline online for free

Quickly craft your essay structure with our free online essay outline generator! Transform your ideas into a well-organized outline, serving as a roadmap for your writing.

How to use our essay outline generator

Gone are the days when you had to manually outline your essay on a paper or in a Word document. With our AI-powered essay outline generator, you can create a neatly arranged plan in just a few simple steps.

Go to our outline generator and type your topic in the designated field. This will help the AI understand your major focus and generate a relevant plan.

You can optionally add supplementary details. Specify the number of headings and subheadings, paper type, subject, and academic level to get a custom result.

Once ready, click on the "Generate outline" button and let our AI do its magic. Within seconds, you will be presented with a well-structured outline for your essay.

Perks of our free AI essay outline generator

Studycrumb's essay outline generator offers a range of benefits that make it the top choice for students and writers alike. While being free and straightforward are obvious advantages, there is more to it. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy when utilizing our outline generator.

You can generate as many outlines as you want without any cost. Whether you are working on multiple essays or need to revise your existing outline, our tool is always at your service.

Instead of spending hours trying to organize your thoughts into a coherent structure, let our AI do the work for you.

With our tool, you have the freedom to adjust the number of headings and subheadings, type of writing and discipline as per your preference.

Unlike other essay outline generators, our tool does not require any registration or login. You can simply visit our website and start creating an outline right away.

AI outline generator for essays, papers and more: Application scenarios

It’s more than just an outline generator for essay. Our tool can also be applied for other types of writing, such as research papers, term papers, stories and even speeches. Here are some possible cases where our instrument can come in handy.

As a student, you may have multiple assignments and essays to work on simultaneously. Our essay outline maker can help you save time and effort by quickly creating an organized plan for any kind of essay, be it argumentative, informative or narrative.

Research papers and term papers are often complex and require a lot of planning. With our research paper outline maker, you can quickly produce a comprehensive plan that includes all the necessary sections and subsections for your work.

Organizing research findings and arguments into a coherent structure can be challenging. Delegate this task to our thesis outline maker and obtain a clear plan for your Master’s or Ph.D. study in several clicks.

If you have a presentation or speech coming up, our speech outline generator can help you arrange your points in a systematic manner. This will make it easier for you to remember and communicate your key ideas effectively.

Whether you are sketching out a novel, short story, article or blog our free outliner can assist you in managing your ideas and plot points. This tool is not limited to just academic writing and can also be used for various creative projects.

Need essay outline?

Our extensive database of academic experts guarantees 100% unique results within short deadlines. Select the service you require, and we will take care of the rest.

Sometimes, an online outline maker isn't sufficient to meet all academic standards. Hire a professional to compose an authentic paper from scratch.

Have a professional editor fine-tune your paper based on your outline. Our academic proofreaders will polish your writing and prepare citations, so you stay on top.

Why choose StudyCrumb

Best-in-class essay outline generator online

An outline is a crucial tool used by writers to systematize their thoughts, messages and arguments before writing a full-fledged essay. An essay outline provides a clear direction for writing and, thus, helps to manage your time in the long run. But far not everyone can perform this task on their own. That’s where Studycrumb’s essay outline generator steps in. The instrument boasts all outlining features at no cost and has no restrictions. Unlike other essay outline makers, Studycrumb’s outliner doesn’t cut corners by offering incomplete outcomes or compromising on data security, even with free access. By opting for our reliable essay outline creator, you can rest assured knowing that your planning will be completed with utmost precision and ​​safeguarded from data breaches. So, if you are looking for a dependable online outline generator free tool, look no further than Studycrumb!

Features of outline generator for essay

Our AI essay outline generator is an excellent tool that blows its competitors out of the water. It’s filled with all useful features, and if paying for an outline builder isn’t your option, Studycrumb’s outliner delivers you premium experience at zero cost. Our online outline creator for essays is one of the leading tools in the domain thanks to its great blend of features, power and quality. Here’s what makes our essay outline generator special:

• No limitations applied Enjoy unlimited usage and unrestrained access, allowing you to construct as many outlines as you need without any strings attached.
• Outline size adjustment Tailor the depth and complexity of your outline by modifying such parameters as the number of headings and subheadings.
• Various paper types Accommodate different structures by choosing among academic papers and their subtypes, such as argumentative, descriptive, expository, and more.
• Most subjects supported Expansive subject compatibility ensures you can create outlines for essays across a multitude of disciplines, including history, science, literature, and others.
• User-friendly interface We offer a simple, intuitive design that enables users of all technical abilities to navigate the tool with ease. 
• Absolute privacy Rest assured that your data is protected, as we prioritize user privacy and implement stringent measures to safeguard your information during and after usage.

Last but not least, our free outline generator for essay doesn’t pile on the limits to nag you into upgrading your plan. Get free essay outline help now and make your structure ready in no time! 

Technology behind our AI outline generator

Welcome to the behind-the-scenes of our AI-based outline maker generator. Despite being powered by artificial intelligence, the tool works like a human outline writer. Once you write your topic and provide specifications, it leverages Natural Language Processing and gets busy determining the key ideas related to your title. Subsequently, the tool taps into its Machine Learning models, which have been trained on thousands of essay formats, to predict and formulate a logical structure. Once ready, you will be presented with your essay plan. Carefully review the created outline and copy-paste it into your work. If you believe that more points should be added, feel free to alter the number of sections and experiment with other parameters. Our essay outline format generator will instantly re-arrange the structure according to your changes.

Who can benefit from our essay format generator & outline creator

Our essay format generator and outline creator open doors to a vast array of individuals, fostering a space where ideas can be systematically classified.

• Students From high schoolers handling their first complex essays to graduate students drafting intricate thesis papers, our tool renders comprehensive outline help for learners. 
• Researchers Academics and scientists can benefit from our free online outline creator to formulate structured abstracts, research proposals, reports or literature reviews.
• Writers Bloggers, authors, and content creators can sculpt their thoughts into a fluid, logical flow or their articles or books. 
• Professionals Business professionals, marketers, and analysts can employ the tool to create a basic blueprint for their reports, proposals, and whitepapers. 

The best part is that you don’t need to possess any particular technical skills to utilize our essay outliner. By simply sharing your topic and setting your criteria, you can have a polished outline at your disposal in minutes. 

Write my outline for me, Studycrumb!

Relying on our essay outline helper is a perfect option for all students and writers who wonder ‘who can help me write my outline for an essay’. At Studycrumb, we don't just make an outline online. We approach this assignment in a smart way, implementing the most fitting method to design an essay outline. 

Generally, there are several outlining techniques that differ in their shape and purpose. For example, you might encounter alphanumeric and decimal numbering systems, or topic and sentence outlines. Also, based on your specific type of essay, you can employ the following mapping principles: 

• Block method Ideal for a compare and contrast essays, the block method allows you to detail all the points about one subject or idea before shifting to the next.
• Point-by-point approach This is a popular approach where each point of comparison or contrast is addressed in succession, providing a balanced and detailed exploration of your subjects.
• Hierarchical  method Create layers of your thoughts, starting from the main idea down to sub-points and details, making a tiered structure.
• Chain strategy Chain outlines help you link events and consequences in a linear fashion, which is perfectly suited for cause and effect essays.
• Parallel format Maintain a consistent structure and tense across all points and subpoints, ensuring a smooth and uniform flow.
• Funnel method To apply this method, our outline builder begins an essay broadly, gradually zooming into your specific point.
• Reverse strategy Crafted from an existing piece, this tactic helps reassess and restructure your text. 

Our essay builder template tool takes the hassle out of deciding which method is best for your specific topic and instead produces a solid plan tailored to your writing needs. Let our tool do the heavy lifting while you focus on bringing your paper to life!

AI essay outline writer for any topic

Are you thinking how to shape your thoughts on social media’s impact or coping with abortion essay outline? Regardless of the title you have been assigned, our essay web outline assistant is here to seamlessly weave your thoughts into a structured scheme. Social media, climate change, global inequality, mental health, technological advancements, and cultural phenomena are just a few of the subjects our essay outline writer tool addresses with expertise. Yet, the potential topics don’t stop here. Whether dissecting historical events or foreseeing futuristic technologies, Studycrumb’s essay outline generator online will take care of your planning. 

Online outline generator for all types of essays 

Not all essays are created equal. While argumentative essays tend to persuade readers to  change their viewpoint, narrative essays use vivid descriptions to transport the reader into a personal experience. And then there are those cause-and-effect essays or analytical essays that require a more strict order. But worry not! Argumentative, persuasive, analytical, expository, cause-and-effect, problem-solution, descriptive, narrative – our online essay outline generator has got you covered with all types of essays. Moreover, our tool supports both the traditional five-paragraph structure and in-depth research paper format. Simply select the format that fits your specific academic work and let the online outline maker take care of the rest.

Examples of outlines created by our outline maker for essays

To get a better idea of what your format may look like, take a look at this example furnished by our free outline creator for essays. It contains an introduction, 4 body paragraph and a concluding paragraph. 

Topic: Social media

• Background information on social media usage and its rise in recent years.
• Thesis statement: The impact of social media on society has been both beneficial and detrimental, leading to changes in communication, relationships, and mental health.
• Ability to stay connected with friends and family from anywhere in the world.
• Opportunities for networking and career advancement.
• Access to instant news and information.
• Increase in cyberbullying, leading to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
• FOMO (fear of missing out) culture resulting in feelings of inadequacy.
• Loss of face-to-face communication skills.
• Easier communication and connection with others.
• Decrease in quality of relationships due to reliance on technology.
• Comparison and self-esteem issues caused by constant exposure to idealized images and lifestyles on social media.
• Addiction to social media leading to decreased productivity and increased isolation.
• Restate thesis statement and summarize the main points.
• Discuss the need for balance and responsible usage of social media in order to reduce negative effects.

Detailed but straight to the point, this schematic format suggested by our essay outline maker ensures your arguments are easy to follow. 

Trust Studycrumb's essay outline generator to build an essay plan for you

As evident from the example above, our essay outline generator creates a well-structured and logical plan for your writing. With Studycrumb's online outline builder tool, you can trust that your essay will have a clear introduction, body paragraphs with strong supporting points, and a comprehensive conclusion. Our instrument takes into consideration your personal instructions to produce a tailor-made result. Plus, with our cloud computing technology involved, you can enjoy real-time, scalable, and remote accessibility to the tool, generating outlines anywhere, anytime.

FAQs about our essay outline generator

Hve questions? Check the answers to the most popular queries.

What is an outline generator?

An outline generator is an AI tool designed to help writers automatically create structured outlines for their writing projects, such as essays, research papers, reports, or any other written work. By leveraging algorithmic capabilities, it allows users to input basic information about their writing assignment, such as the topic, main points, or desired structure. Based on your recommendations, it generates a framework showing how your piece should be formatted.

Is your essay outline generator free?

Absolutely. Our essay outline generator is developed to be accessible to all, providing instant, well-arranged outlines at no cost. Simply input your details and get a ready-to-use outline without any hidden charges or fees.

What if the generated outline doesn’t fit my needs?

Our essay outline generator offers a base structure which you can further customize. If it doesn’t quite match your needs, feel free to experiment with the tool and regenerate the result or reach out to us for further assistance.

Is my data safe with the online outline creator for essays?

Some outline generators that offer free services, usually compromise on the quality and data security. With our free essay outline creator, your data is safe. The information you provide is used solely for generating the essay format and is not stored or shared with other parties.

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• Blog Post: Structure your blog post effectively, ensuring your ideas flow smoothly for your readers.
• Novel or Story: Plot out the key events and character developments in your novel or story, helping you write more effectively.
• Business Plan: Organize your business plan effectively, ensuring all key points are covered and logically structured.
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Free Essay Outline Generator

Need to quickly outline an argumentative essay or a research paper? Try out this free essay outline generator!

Are you a college student struggling to compose a well-organized essay, yet your deadline is approaching fast?

Our essay outline generator is here to help you save time and avoid stress by creating a structure for whatever kind of essay you’re writing. This AI-powered essay outline-making tool employs cutting-edge Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies to swiftly and accurately comprehend complicated themes. So, you don’t need to worry about grammatical or spelling issues when preparing outlines for papers or articles.

• 🔢 How to Use It?
• 🤩 The Tool’s 5 Benefits
• 📝 What Is an Essay Outline?
• ✍️ How to Write an Outline

🔎 References

🔢 essay outline generator: how to use it.

To generate an essay outline, you’ll need to take the following steps:

• Choose the genre of your assignment . Is it an essay, research paper, literature review, or proposal?
• Choose the type of the text . Do you need an informative, analytical, persuasive, or argumentative paper?
• Indicate the number of paragraphs . That’s an optional step.
• Add the topic . Please note that it should not be too long or too short.

🤩 Essay Outline Generator: the 5 Benefits

Using our outline generator is easy and beneficial for students.

Here are the parameters you’re sure to like:

📝 What Is an Essay Outline & Why Is It Important?

An essay outline is a technique of organizing the structure and flow of your essay before you begin writing the text itself. You should outline any essay, no matter which type you need: argumentative , comparative , narrative , or other.

Outlining highlights each section’s content, the paragraphs’ sequence , and the relationship between various arguments. Though you may only sometimes be required to make an outline before drafting the essay, doing so can help you plan your thoughts and ensure that you cover all the basics.

Let’s review 5 advantages of an essay outline.

Enhanced Focus

An outline gathers and emphasizes all of your ideas to determine if you’ve adhered to your main point or veered off course. In essence, it helps you maintain concentration and prevents you from wandering off into unrelated topics’ discussion.

Seamless Transitions

If you organize your thoughts logically, your writing will flow more smoothly , and the topic sentences in the body paragraphs of your essay will have more impact. You may check your transitions and the logic of your material with a well-planned outline.

Effective Information Sequence

Presenting your strongest point first is better. Your outline will help you determine whether you have presented your information in the most effective sequence .

Conciseness

An essay outline allows for achieving one of the most important writing goals: conciseness . Maintaining simplicity and brevity will help the reader understand your message rather than burying it beneath a sea of superfluous words and off-topic discussion points.

Better Organization

An outline is fundamentally a tool of organization . Have you said everything you intended to? Did you use a logical approach to your argument? Is your argument convincing? It’s still crucial to plan your strategy for the essay, even if you’re not writing to prove or debate a specific point.

✍️ How to Write an Essay Outline

Here are a few pointers on developing an outline for your essay.

Step #1 Understand the Requirements

Before beginning to write the outline, please read the assignment instructions thoroughly .

Ensure you understand:

• The style of the essay you should write
• The number of citations required
• The required length

Ask yourself:

What’s the goal of my essay?

Do I intend to inform, convince, or merely entertain the readers? Depending on the objective, you will know which thesis to consider, which writing techniques to employ, and how to conceptualize research in the article.

Step #2: Formulate Your Thesis Statement

Establish your thesis statement to determine which topic sentences to outline in your essay .

The thesis statements must:

• Be debatable
• Contain sufficient details to captivate readers

Once you have a thesis prepared , you may begin organizing your essay. Please note that the outline is not an initial stage of work. You should already have a clear idea of your essay by the time you are creating an outline.

Step #3: Brainstorm

Brainstorming involves writing down as many concepts as possible without limiting yourself or critiquing any of them. You can generate ideas and arguments confirming your thesis during brainstorming or, vice versa, choose opposing points.

Step #4: Select the Best Points

Now that you came up with ideas for the essay, it’s time to review your planning notes and choose the ideas that will help you reach your essay’s purpose.

How does this prove my point?

Do that for each piece of information you have written down. If you have a concise, well-thought-out response to that query, consider including it on your list of essay topics.

Step #5: Structure the Body

Using the compiled perspectives you created, determine the most significant points you will present in your essay. These will be the parts of your essay’s body. List the facts, anecdotes, and statistics that corroborate these claims.

There should be only one idea per paragraph, and each of them should be connected with your thesis statement.

Step #6: Write Your Outline

Now that you fully understand your main claims and supporting evidence, it’s time to compose your outline.

Format your essential points into a concise, well-organized framework using a template for the style of essay you’re writing. You’ll fill in the blanks with information when you write your first draft.

👀 Essay Outline Examples

In this section, you’ll find outline examples for various essay types. Note that these are 5-paragraph essay outlines.

Argumentative Essay Outline

Here is an illustration of an argumentative essay outline that a college student can use:

• Title : Almond Milk Is Better Than Soy Milk
• Introduction : Discuss the distinctions between soy and almond milk and their respective levels of popularity.
• Thesis : Almond milk is a more nutritious, flavorful, and sweeter alternative to soy milk.
• Compare the typical calories in a serving of soy milk with almond milk.
• Cite how almond milk is more easily included in consumers’ daily calorie allowances.
• Compare the advantages of consuming vegan versus items made from animals.
• Describe how almond and soy milk’s vegan status makes them available to vegans and non-vegans and a better, more environmentally friendly option for everyone.
• The product is easier to find than soy milk due to the availability of almonds and how much milk they produce with every squeeze.
• Tell stories of people who have dairy allergies and the health issues they cause.
• Conclusion : Explain why almond milk is preferable to soy milk again, and include any supporting arguments.

Expository Essay Outline

Here is an illustration of an expository essay for a middle school student.

• Title : My Favorite Pet
• Introduction : Describe your favorite animal and your feelings towards the pet. Provide background on the pet and some interesting features about it.
• Thesis : My dog, Coco, is my best friend.
• Compare the dog to other pets you have encountered.
• Describe how the dog’s breed, color, favorite snack, and why you chose the name for the dog.
• Tell stories about your dog’s hobbies and your best memories together.
• Conclusion : Explain why you love your dog and how you plan to care for your furry best friend.

Personal Essay Outline

Here is a sample of an essay outline for a personal essay suitable for high school students:

• Title : The Two Best Birthdays in My Life
• Introduction : Describe your feelings around birthdays and how you prefer commemorating yours.
• Thesis : My 16 th and 17 th birthdays were the two happiest days of my life.
• I obtained a driver’s permit on my sixteenth birthday, and my closest pals and I went to our first live music concert.
• I still have my armband and ticket voucher from the event.
• I initially believed that everyone didn’t remember my birthday. I was inconsolable.
• Then, as a pleasant surprise, my family drove six hours to pick me up and take me to the art exhibition I had been dying to see.
• Conclusion : The reasons mentioned above made my 16 th and 17 th birthdays very special.

Thank you for reading this article! If you wish to continue working on the sample, check out our essay generator to get a full-scale paper example.

❓ Essay Outline Generator FAQ

❓ what is an essay outline.

An essay’s outline is used as the paper’s basic framework. It’s a written version of an essay’s main idea and most important supporting points. Whenever you are working on an essay, creating one is a good idea to help you build a supporting structure for further writing stages.

❓ How to make an essay outline?

You should formulate the essay’s main point that will lay the basis for your essay’s thesis statement. Then apply brainstorming to generate supporting arguments and find academic sources that expand those points and help you build solid, coherent content.

❓ What elements are required in an outline for an argumentative essay?

The standard format for an argumentative essay consists of an introduction, a thesis statement, supporting evidence, counterarguments, and a conclusion. You should insert that data in the argumentative essay outline generator to get high-quality results.

❓ How does an essay outline generator work?

An outline generator for essays is an online, AI-powered tool that helps students organize their essay ideas orderly. The essay outline builder uses complex AI models to research, paraphrase information, create relevant outlines, and guarantee that its content is authentic, interesting, and related to the topic.

• How to Write an Outline in 5 Steps, with Examples
• Types of Outlines and Samples - Purdue OWL
• Why and How to Create a Useful Outline - Purdue OWL
• Creating an Outline
• Outlining | - Harvard College Writing Center

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Essay Outline Generator

Generated Outline

• 🛠️ How to use the tool?
• ️📝 Why use the outline maker?
• ️✏️ When to Use the Tool?
• ️🙋 Who benefits from the instrument?
• ️📋 How to make an outline
• ️🚀 Boost your skills with our paraphrasers

🛠️ How to Use the Essay Outline Generator?

Choose the assignment type.

First, you will need to choose the type of your assignment. The outline maker works with numerous genres, such as essays, research papers, literature reviews, research proposals, book reports, theses, dissertations, case studies, capstone projects, and many more. The step is optional; however, we advise you to take it, as choosing the type of your project will improve the final result.

Choose the Assignment Subtype

After you’ve chosen the genre of your project, in some cases, you will be offered to select its subtype. For instance, you can specify if you need an informative, analytical, persuasive, or argumentative essay; what kind of paper you are working on – research, reflection, or response paper; etc. Adding this information is also optional, but providing the tool with these details will make the outcome even better.

Add the Topic

The last thing you’ll need to do before generating an outline is stating the topic. This step is the only obligatory one: without this information, the tool won’t be able to produce a decent outline. Note that your topic should be 3 to 15 words long. For essays and papers, you will also be able to choose the number of body paragraphs. Finally, if you need an extended research paper, you’ll have to add some additional information.

Get the Result

Once you've clicked the "Generate" button, the outline will appear below it. The outcome will be customized to the information you've added in the previous steps. You can copy the outline to a document to continue working on it by yourself. Another option that we offer is to generate a full-scale paper sample according to your requirements. To do that, click "Generate an Essay". Note that the samples are AI-made and shouldn't be used other than for reference and inspiration.

📝 Why Use the Essay Outline Generator?

There are many ways to get rid of the fear of the blank page, and using this outline generator is probably one of the best solutions. Writing an essay or research paper with a ready-made outline is much easier than doing it from scratch. Just try it and see for yourself!

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✏️ Outline Generator: When to Use It?

An outline is a concise road map of the essay. It structures the assignment’s content, the arrangement of the paragraphs, and the relationship between the arguments and the thesis. Outlines structure information by using lists, bullet points, or tables.

You might want to use this essay outline generator whenever you need to quickly perform the following tasks:

• Structure your study without repeating yourself
• Define the logical flow of argumentation
• Refine ideas and be more flexible
• Lower the chance of making mistakes
• Remember valuable arguments and ideas

🙋 Who Can Benefit from This Outline Generator?

Get rid of the fear of the blank page and start writing your essay using a ready-made outline.

Quickly generate a well-structured sample lesson plan from a rough draft.

Outline your presentations to stay organized and remember all the essential points.

Use the outline generator to structure your content and get fresh ideas for your blog.

Highlight the key points you want to cover in your text, be it an article or a novel.

Public speakers

Generate a well-organized plan for your speech on any topic to feel more confident.

📋 How to Make an Essay Outline

In this section, you’ll find helpful outlining steps. Take them to create an amazing outline!

1. Do Your Research

Doing preliminary research is a crucial component of creating an outline. Try widening your knowledge on the chosen topic by digging through various sources, including news, academic journals, and books. The more you explore, the more ideas and arguments connected to your essay’s topic you will find.

2. Develop Your Thesis Statement

You can lay a foundation for your essay by stating its primary objective — a thesis statement . To do it, ensure you are aware of your essay’s type, topic, number of arguments, and expected length of paragraphs. If the teacher gave you a writing prompt, read it several times until you understand it well.

3. Organize Your Outline

It is time to build an outline using all the information you’ve gathered. At this stage, your top priority will be choosing how to link the facts and concepts.

The first thing worth mentioning here is that your outline should have the same structure as your essay.

Here is a basic template:

• An introduction to the topic
• Background information
• A thesis statement
• At least three arguments, each introduced in a topic sentence
• Evidence to support these arguments
• A restated thesis statement

4. Add Subpoints

Adding supporting details to each primary argument from the outline will give your essay more depth and clarity. These subpoints will offer more precise information to bolster your point of view. They’ll also support your claims and increase the persuasiveness of your essay.

5. Review and Adjust

Most people would assume that your outline is finished after step 4, but there is one last thing to do! Essay writing is a complicated process, and straight-A students constantly go back and make revisions until their essays are as good as possible. The same rule goes for an outline. Re-read it at least once and see whether anything can be improved.

Updated: Sep 4th, 2024

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Simple Essay Outline Generator for Simple Writing

Essay outlines allow you to determine your main topic, categorize points, and organize your ideas to make better sense of what you want to write. Also, it helps layout the general flow of the essay and prevents the writer from getting stuck. Equally important, brainstorming is essential to create a coherent essay outline or workflow. One of the best techniques that are proved to be helpful when it comes to brainstorming is a mind map. In this article, we rounded up the best essay outline makers for simple writing, which you can start using immediately.

Best Essay Outline Generators

Text2mindmap, crls research guide, tom march thesis builder, thesis statement generator, bubbleupclassroom, grademiners.

GitMind is an outline creator that you can use anytime for free. Originally, GitMind is a mind-map and chart creator. However, outlines can come in all forms and shapes, as long as they are understandable and simple. The tool eases the stress of creating complicated essay outlines by providing different templates. This way, all you need to do is fill in the information that you need and you have yourself a simple, yet high-quality essay outline. If you are interested in using this wonderful essay outline generator, then follow the steps below.

• Launch GitMind at your browser. Click “Get Started” button to reach the online tool. For its desktop version, you need to download the software first.
• Afterwards, choose any template from within GitMind and then click “Use Template” button to create the outline.

• From the template panel, click the “Outline” tab from the toolbar located at the left-hand side of the window, and fill in the information for each node of the outline.

• To save the essay outline on your computer, hit the “Export” button and choose the format that you want.

Text2MindMap is the next essay organizer that you can use for free. This is because it is an open-sourced software that you can download and install on your computer. It is capable of creating a mind-map by simply entering the information that you want. In general, it has an automatic feature, as its name suggests. Aside from that, you can arrange each node and information by the drag-and-drop method which is very convenient. Using this tool will give you the freedom to create an attractive and easy-to-understand diagram.

Essay Map is a good essay structure generator for students. Similar to GitMind, the tool runs online and offers you many useful functions for free. However, the tool has a different approach when it comes to creating an essay outline. The diagram layout is already provided. It contains an introduction, arguments, supporting details, and conclusion. All you need to do is fill out each category with a summary of the idea to produce an essay outline. On top of that, you can share your outline via email or save the file on your local drive. This app is a nice option if you want to create a basic essay outline.

CRLS Research Guide is a simple essay outline generator available for online users. This app uses a linear approach for creating an essay outline. Each category is structured with text boxes where you have to enter the necessary information based on the categories. So aside from essays, this is also a good app when creating a research paper outline or even for presentations.

The next essay organizer that students can use is Tom March Thesis Builder . All you need to do is input your essay topic, argument, reasons, supporting details, and you are good to go. Likewise, it takes the linear approach for generating an essay outline. But unlike other similar outline makers, it provides useful tips for each category for you to present your ideas well, resulting in a more excellent outcome overall.

If you want to present a strong argumentative thesis statement, Thesis Statement Generator is a great option. This a web-based app that lets you create a thesis statement about the topic you are trying to prove. You are given four text boxes that are comprised of your main idea, the reasons, rebuttal, and so on. After filling out each box, the app will generate statements from the argument and lets you choose from three different perspectives.

Next, we have BubbleupClassroom in the list of our approved essay outline generator. The good thing about this essay outline template maker is its simplicity. BubbleupClassroom provides a straight-up blank template in Spreadsheet form. It works well with Microsoft Excel, and other spreadsheet processors on desktop. The app doesn’t have any fancy template, but gives you the freedom to decide what your essay outline will look like.

Another tool that we have is GradeMiners . This is an online service that you can use as an essay organizer. GradeMiners provides tips, on how to improve your writing skills for free. Apart from that, is the free essay outline template from its home page that you can copy and edit from any word processor. There is only one essay outline template on the website which is the classic bullet style. However, this type of outline is proven to be one of the most effective outline for essay writing.

Another great outline maker that you can use is PaperDue . This is an educational tool that can instantly produce a roadmap that you can follow for a smooth essay writing. There are a lot of essay categories to choose from, which is a testament to its flexibility. Aside from that, there are many sample templates that you can use if you find the topic that matches your criteria. Overall, we can say that this tool is a great addition to the list of great outline creators on the internet.

Last essay outline generator on the list is called EssaySoft . One of the easiest tool that you can use out there, it only takes a couple of minutes to generate an outline. There are a few boxes that you need to fill up like number of words and topic keywords. There is also a feature that generates an entire essay based on you the parameters that you provided. In-general, we give this tool a good score because of the benefits that comes with the basic version.

All the above-mentioned essay structure generators can definitely help you make an essay outline for simple writing. These apps allow you to create an outline for free since they are online-based tools. However, if you want to create a diversified essay outline in a creative manner, you should pick GitMind. This allows you to work in collaboration to produce a better outline.

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Creating a clear and organized essay is not easy, but making an outline can help. By arranging your ideas in a logical and coherent way, an essay outline can guide you in effectively structuring your essay. 

Whether you’re working on a school or college assignment, take the time to create an outline. It can help you overcome the challenges of organizing your thoughts while writing. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to create an essay outline with the help of some useful examples and a downloadable template.

Craft clear and structured essays! Get started

What is an essay outline?

An outline acts as a blueprint for your essay, presenting the structure and content of each paragraph and showing how they connect. By creating an outline, you can streamline the writing process and minimize the need for revisions. It can also help you develop strong points to support your thesis statement .

Typically, an outline is created after establishing a working thesis statement and gathering relevant information. The collected information is then organized into a logical flow that can be expanded into a structured essay.

Why is it important to create an essay outline?

An essay outline not only gives structure to your essay but also helps effectively link its parts. It helps create a logical flow for your essay and also helps identify its primary components. Let’s take a look at this in detail.

1. Sets a logical order

To create a well-structured and impactful essay, the arrangement of information is key. Creating an essay outline makes it easier to organize bits of information from general to specific. 

Start off by creating a broad thesis statement or central idea. Then move on to providing examples or pieces of information that support this statement or elaborate on it. This method also provides a comprehensive overview of your essay and helps identify any missing bits of information.

2. Generates greater impact

The primary goal of your essay is to effectively present information that supports your thesis statement. If your essay is haphazardly structured, the message of the thesis statement can get lost.

In order to present a coherent message, determine the important bits of information that best support your thesis statement and organize them logically. Then elaborate on these bits to create a flow. This not only creates a greater impact but also makes your final essay more convincing.

3. Leads to smoother transitions

Transitions are the bridges that connect your ideas and ensure that your argument flows smoothly. However, creating smooth transitions from one point to another can be quite challenging.

A college essay outline helps you identify where you need to include transitions and what type of transition you should use to connect your ideas effectively. Creating smooth, logical, and cohesive transitions is crucial in ensuring that readers can easily follow your train of thought and grasp your argument. 

How to write an essay outline

After conducting all the necessary research, it is time to narrow down the central idea of your essay. Make sure that the scope of your idea is neither too broad nor too narrow. 

Select the main bits of information that elaborate on this central idea and organize them in a logical manner. Then provide specific examples to back them up. Let’s take a detailed look at these steps. 

1. Figure out the central message or the thesis statement of your essay.

Picking out a central idea or generic point for your essay can help create a base you can elaborate upon. 

You can start with a broad idea or stance and then research the specific bits of information that support this idea and provide more information on it. 

2. Identify the main points or arguments.

After collecting the necessary information to elaborate on your central idea, identify the broad points that give it substance. 

These points will form the headings of the essay. They should be broad enough to cover major themes, but specific enough to provide a clear focus for each section.

3. Organize your headings.

Decide the logical flow of your essay and arrange your headings in an organized manner.

It is crucial to have obvious starting and ending points, but the body can be organized in a way you consider to be the most impactful. Depending on the type of essay, your headings can be arranged chronologically, on the basis of importance, or from general to specific.

4. Provide examples and evidence to support the headings.

Once the headings are created and organized, provide statistics, anecdotes, and examples to back them up. These specific pieces of information can be elaborated upon while writing your first draft.

Using essay outline generators can also make your work easier. You can use this general essay outline format to create your own:

Essay outline template

To help you write a logical, well-structured, impactful essay, we have developed this fool-proof, comprehensive essay outline template. It will help you categorize all your essential information into well-structured, organized headings and subheadings.

The template includes an introduction, three body paragraphs, an optional paragraph for a counter-argument, and a conclusion. Under each of these headings, there are relevant subheadings that are applicable to all types of essays.  

The template uses an alphanumeric format, with Roman numerals for the headings and capital letters for the subheadings.

Download Free Outline Essay Template

Essay outline examples   .

Essays are highly versatile pieces of writing. They include various types, such as persuasive essays, compare and contrast essays, analytical essays, and cause-and-effect essays. 

But most of these essay types are a combination or a derivation of these four main types of essays. They include narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and expository essays. 

Each of these essays serves a different purpose and is structured differently. Let’s understand the purpose of each of these essay types with the help of relevant essay outline examples:

1. Narrative essay outline

A narrative essay outline is a highly personalized outline that reflects your unique experiences, feelings, and observations. 

The goal of this outline is to tell an impactful story with the help of vivid descriptions and sensory details that engage the reader’s attention.

Narrative essay outline example

Let us better understand the narrative essay outline with the help of an example. The following example is a personal narrative about growing up as an immigrant child.

I. Introduction

A. A vivid description of the moment I found out I was moving to a new country.

B. Brief explanation of my background and reasons for immigrating.

C. Thesis statement: The challenges and opportunities I faced as an immigrant in a new country.

A. Struggles in adjusting to a new culture.

1. Language barriers I faced in school and everyday life.

2. Differences in cultural norms and expectations.

B. Navigating a new education system

1. Differences in teaching styles and expectations.

2. Adjusting to a new curriculum and grading system.

C. Finding a sense of belonging

1. Challenges in making friends and building relationships.

2. Coping with homesickness and missing family and friends.

III. Conclusion

A. Reflection on my journey as an immigrant

1. Lessons learned and personal growth.

2. Significance of the experience.

B. Acknowledgment of my resilience and determination.

1. Overcoming challenges and achieving success.

2. Encouragement for others facing similar challenges.

C. Memorable closing statement related to my journey.

2. Argumentative essay outline

An argumentative essay outline requires you to take a clear stance on a topic and provide strong evidence to support it. 

The goal of this outline is to convince the reader to see your point of view on a controversial topic.

Argumentative essay outline example

The following example shows us how the internet is beneficial to the mental development of school children. It establishes the internet to be a valuable resource for children.

A. A surprising statistic or fact about children and their use of the internet.

B. Brief explanation of the prevalence of the internet in modern society and its impact on children.

C. Thesis statement: Despite concerns about safety and privacy, the internet is a valuable resource for children due to its educational opportunities, communication tools, and access to diverse perspectives.

A. Education opportunities.

 1. Access to information and resources that may not be available in traditional classroom settings.

2. Interactive tools and games that can reinforce learning and engage children in new ways.

B. Communication tools

1. Social media and messaging platforms that allow children to connect with peers and mentors.

2. Online forums and discussion groups that foster collaboration and problem-solving skills.

C. Exposure to diverse perspectives

1. Access to a variety of viewpoints and perspectives from around the world.

2. Exposure to different cultures and ways of thinking can foster empathy and understanding.

III. Counterarguments and Rebuttal

A. Potential safety concerns and risks associated with internet use

1. Explanation of safety measures and precautions that can mitigate these risks.

2. Rebuttal of the idea that the risks outweigh the benefits.

B. Potential negative effects on cognitive and social development

1. Explanation of the positive effects of internet use on cognitive development and social skills.

2. Rebuttal of the idea that the internet is inherently harmful to children.

IV. Conclusion

A. Restatement of thesis statement and main points of the argument.

B. Reflection on the importance of the internet as a valuable resource for children.

C. Final thoughts and call to action for readers to embrace the benefits of internet use for children.

3. Expository essay outline

An expository essay outline requires you to provide a detailed overview of a subject from all angles. It is used to test your knowledge of a particular subject.

The purpose of this essay outline is to inform, explain, or describe a topic or idea, rather than to persuade the reader or share personal opinions. 

This type of essay is often used in academic settings, such as in writing assignments, research papers, or even textbooks.

Expository essay outline example

The following example provides us with information on SONAR technology, its uses, its impact on the environment, as well as its benefits. 

A. A brief explanation of the significance of SONAR and its impact on underwater navigation and detection.

B. A definition of SONAR and its origins, and the history of its development and uses.

C. Thesis statement: This essay will provide a detailed overview of the use of SONAR technology, its applications, and its impact on various fields.

A. Explanation of SONAR technology

• Basic principles of SONAR.
• Types of SONAR and how they work.

B. Applications of SONAR technology

1. Military applications, including submarine detection and mine detection.

2. Commercial applications, including underwater mapping and exploration, and marine life observation.

C. Advantages and disadvantages of SONAR technology

1. Advantages, such as accuracy and range.

2. Disadvantages, such as interference and environmental impact.

A. Safety and environmental concerns

1. Explanation of the measures taken to minimize the environmental impact of SONAR technology.

2. Rebuttal of the idea that the benefits of SONAR technology are outweighed by its environmental impact.

B. Potential misuse or abuse of SONAR technology

1. Explanation of regulations and laws governing the use of SONAR technology.

2. Rebuttal of the idea that the potential misuse of SONAR technology justifies limiting its applications.

B. Reflection on the significance of SONAR technology and its impact on various fields.

C. Final thoughts and call to action for readers to learn more about SONAR technology and its applications.

4. Descriptive essay outline

A descriptive essay outline requires you to create a detailed and sensory-rich description of a person, place, object, event, or experience. 

The goal is to provide the reader with a visceral experience that engages their senses and imagination.

Descriptive essay outline example

The following example provides a highly immersive experience and uses multiple sensory descriptors to describe the summers spent by the writer at their grandmother’s farm.

A. Description of a typical summer day at grandma’s farm.

B. Brief overview of the location and purpose of the farm.

C. Thesis statement: Summers spent at grandma’s farm were some of the most memorable and enjoyable times of my childhood, thanks to the idyllic setting and the rich sensory experiences it provided.

II. Body Paragraph 1: The Scenery

A. Topic sentence: The farm was located in a picturesque rural area surrounded by rolling hills and green pastures.

B. Sensory details:

1. Visual: Describe the lush greenery, the colorful flowers, and the endless expanse of blue sky.

2. Auditory: Mention the sound of the chirping birds, the rustling leaves, and the occasional mooing of cows.

3. Olfactory: Describe the fragrant smell of fresh hay and the earthy aroma of the soil.

4. Tactile: Describe the feeling of the warm sun on the skin and the softness of the grass underfoot.

III. Body Paragraph 2: The Activities

A. Topic sentence: The farm provided numerous activities and tasks that kept me busy and engaged throughout the day.

1. Visual: Describe the sight of the cows grazing, the chickens clucking, and the horses trotting.

2. Auditory: Mention the sound of the milking machine, the creaking of the barn doors, and the whinnying of the horses.

3. Olfactory: Describe the smell of the freshly baked pies, the wood smoke from the bonfire, and the scent of the freshly cut grass.

4. Tactile: Describe the feeling of the cow’s rough tongue licking my hand, the warmth of the freshly laid eggs, and the rough texture of the hay bales.

IV. Body Paragraph 3: The People

A. Topic sentence: The farm was a family affair, and spending time with my grandmother and other relatives was a highlight of the summer.

1. Visual: Describe the sight of my grandmother cooking in the kitchen, my cousins running through the fields, and my uncles fixing machinery.

2. Auditory: Mention the sound of laughter and conversation around the dinner table, the chatter of family members working together, and the clinking of dishes.

3. Olfactory: Describe the smell of home-cooked meals, the familiar scents of family members, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

4. Tactile: Describe the feeling of hugs from family members, the rough texture of my grandfather’s hand, and the warmth of a family embrace.

V. Conclusion

A. Restate thesis: Summers spent at grandma’s farm were truly unforgettable, filled with vivid sensory experiences and cherished memories.

B. Summarize main points: Recap the main sensory details and experiences shared in the essay.

C. Final thoughts: Reflect on the impact of the farm on the writer’s life and express gratitude for the memories made there.

Once you’re done writing your essay, it’s time to thoroughly revise, edit, and proofread your essay. If editing and proofreading is not your cup of tea, you can make things easier for you by working with a professional essay editing service .

Here are some related articles that you might find interesting:

• How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an outline for an essay, what is the one important rule of essay outlining, what are the four main components to keep in mind while constructing an essay outline, what are the basic principles of essay outlining, what is the purpose of an outline.

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 28, 2024

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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• TemplateLab

Essay Outline Templates

37 outstanding essay outline templates (argumentative, narrative, persuasive).

Writing an essay can seem like an overwhelming task, and planning beforehand is essential to success. An essay outline will help you to structure and organize your essay so that it flows coherently. Essay outlines work for all kinds of essays and will save you time and stress.

There are various different ways to structure an essay, and using an essay outline template allows you to decide on the best structure for your essay. Whether you want a balanced argument, or if you’re trying to persuade someone of your idea, then there will be an essay outline that works for you.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay Outline Templates
• 2 What is an Essay Outline Template?
• 3 Essay Outline Examples
• 4 What Different Types of Essay Outline Templates Are Available?
• 5 Why are Essay Outlines important?
• 6 How Do You Structure an Outline for an Essay?
• 7 Essay Outline Samples
• 8 What is the Format of a Five-Paragraph Essay Outline? 
• 9 How to Write an Effective Essay Outline
• 10 Free Essay Outlines
• 11 Create an Effective Outline Using an Essay Outline Template

You can download and print one of our free essay outline templates to help you plan the perfect essay.

What is an Essay Outline Template?

An essay outline template is essentially the essay plan. It provides students with a clear structure before they write their essay, including all of the main points that are necessary for their writing.

Planning an essay outline beforehand makes the process of essay writing a lot less daunting, providing students with a guideline to follow whilst writing their essays in detail. In the world of academic writing , an essay outline serves as a tool to organize and structure thoughts before delving into the actual writing process. Many students underestimate the significance of creating an essay outline, often resulting in disorganized and incomprehensible essays.

Essay Outline Examples

What Different Types of Essay Outline Templates Are Available?

Essay outlines can be used for any college essay, research papers, a contrast essay, speech writing, or an expository essay. There are a range of essay outline templates to use, and they vary depending on the style of essay you are writing. These include:

• Argumentative essay outline
• Narrative essay outline
• Contrast essay outline
• Literary analysis essay outline
• Persuasive essay outline
• Expository essay outline
• College essay outline
• Descriptive essay outline
• Reflective essay outline

Depending on the purpose of your essay, there will be a different structure to suit your writing and your writing process. For example, an argumentative essay outline may follow a more traditional five-paragraph essay outline, while a literary analysis essay may follow a more detailed essay outline template.

Why are Essay Outlines important?

Of course, you can write an essay without planning. However, it will likely read as unstructured and lacking in coherence. Essays that follow an essay outline template present as more well-researched, clearer, and with a thoughtful structure throughout.

• Planning makes perfect If you are writing to argue a point or explore a range of viewpoints, essay outlines are crucial to prepare before you begin writing in detail. Writing should not be an immediate, quick process; the best essays are drafted, re-drafted, edited, and finalized. If you use an essay outline, this will be reflected in the quality of your work. As a teacher, it is clear to me when students have not taken the time to plan their work. Their writing seems messy and rushed. Essay outlines provide structure and balance to any long piece of writing.
• Save time during the writing process Planning is the hard part of essay writing. During the planning process, you will be brainstorming your ideas and cultivating your overall viewpoint or argument. This means that when you come to write the essay, those ideas are already there. All you need to do is formulate them into sentences and paragraphs. An essay outline makes the process of writing the essay itself so much simpler. With the essay outline template, you will have the bulk of your ideas and the structure of your essay there to follow. It will save you time when it comes to writing the essay out in full.

How Do You Structure an Outline for an Essay?

Depending on the assignment, essays can follow a range of structures, and there are many different ways to structure an essay outline.

Before you begin to structure your essay outline, there are a few things to consider:

• Check your assignment guidelines . Your teacher or professor may have specified a certain number of words or pages for the essay, which can affect how you structure it.
• Consider the purpose of the essay. Is it to argue, is it a persuasive essay, or is it to reflect upon something? This will greatly help you to form and structure your essay, as you may need to compare and contrast ideas throughout your writing.
• Who is your audience? If this essay is purely for academic purposes, then your essay may follow a more traditional structure. However, if your essay is for a speech or a college application, then the structure may be more unconventional and include more of your own thoughts and experiences.

While there may be variations in essay outline structures depending on the specific requirements of the assignment, some general guidelines can be followed. You should edit and adjust your essay structure depending on the tone, audience, and purpose of your essay.

Typically, an effective essay outline comprises three primary sections: the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Each of these sections serves a unique purpose and contributes to the overall coherence of the essay.

• Introduction The introduction section of an essay outline introduces the topic and provides relevant background information to engage the reader. It also includes the thesis statement, which presents the main argument or claim of the essay. To structure the introduction in the outline effectively, writers can utilize a hook to grab the reader’s attention, provide context, and end with a strong thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs section of the essay outline supports the thesis statement with relevant evidence and arguments. The number of body paragraphs may vary depending on the required length of the essay. However, it is common to have three body paragraphs, each focused on a specific supporting point. In the outline, writers can include subpoints, evidence, and examples for each body paragraph to ensure a coherent and logical flow of ideas.
• Conclusion The conclusion section of the essay outline summarises the main points discussed in the body paragraphs and restates the thesis statement. The conclusion should not be an afterthought in the essay writing process. This part of the essay helps to tie all of your ideas together and is reflective of a well-structured essay. It is crucial to end the essay on a strong note, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. To structure the conclusion in the outline, writers can briefly restate the thesis, review the main points, and provide a final thought or call to action.

Essay Outline Samples

What is the Format of a Five-Paragraph Essay Outline? 

A five-paragraph essay outline is a common essay structure used for academic essays. It is particularly useful for shorter essays or beginners who are just starting to develop their writing skills. Many high school students or first-year college students benefit from following this structure.

The format consists of five paragraphs, as the name suggests – an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

• Introduction In the introduction of a five-paragraph essay outline, writers should begin with an attention-grabbing hook to capture the reader’s interest. This can be achieved through a relevant anecdote, a rhetorical question, or a shocking statistic. This helps to immediately capture the reader’s attention and begin the essay strong. Next, provide some background information on the topic and end the introduction with a clear thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument of the essay.
• Body Paragraphs The three body paragraphs of a five-paragraph essay outline each focus on a specific supporting point, which aids in the development of the thesis statement. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Following the topic sentence, writers should provide evidence, examples, or arguments to support the main point. It is essential to ensure a logical flow between paragraphs and maintain coherence throughout the essay. This can be done through the use of connectives at the start of each body paragraph, such as ‘Firstly,’ ‘Secondly,’ and ‘Furthermore.’
• Conclusion The conclusion of a five-paragraph essay outline restates the thesis statement and summarizes the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. However, it is vital to avoid introducing new information in the conclusion. Instead, writers should provide a thought-provoking final statement or reinforce the significance of the essay topic.

How to Write an Effective Essay Outline

Each writer will have their own unique approach to essay writing, but preparing an essay outline does not require you to reinvent the wheel. You can follow these simple steps to craft an effective, useful, solid outline.

• Read and Understand the Assignment Before beginning the outline, thoroughly read and understand the essay assignment, including any specific guidelines or requirements from the instructor. This will help in determining the length, topic, and structure of the essay. Understanding the assignment in detail also enables you to plan how you will carry out your preliminary research for the essay. Adaquete reading and preparation also helps you to establish the purpose of your essay, which will determine which essay outline template will work best for you.
• Brainstorm and Organize Ideas Start with brainstorming ideas related to the topic. Here, you should establish the key points of the essay based on your research. Once ideas are generated, you can organize them into meaningful categories or subtopics. In an argumentative essay outline, for example, you will need to compare and contrast ideas. By placing all the main points into categories in an organized manner, you can create a logical flow within the essay, making it more engaging for the reader.
• Choose an Appropriate Outline Format Decide on the outline format that best suits the specific essay requirements. Depending on the complexity of the topic, your essay may be formatted differently. An expository essay will differ from a research paper, for example, so be clear on which outline will work for you. It is also essential to decide on the number of main points to be included based on the required length of the essay. Sometimes it is best to discuss fewer points in greater detail, particularly for a literary analysis or narrative essay.
• Develop Thesis Statement and Main Arguments Craft a strong and clear thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument or claim of the essay. Then, determine the main arguments or supporting points that will be discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Organize Supporting Points and Supporting Evidence Arrange the main arguments in a logical order, keeping in mind the flow of ideas. Ensure that each supporting point is backed up by sufficient evidence or reasoning to strengthen the overall argument. This will also help you to write a strong conclusion to complete your essay.
• Review and Revise After creating the initial essay outline, review and revise it to ensure coherence, logical flow, and adherence to the assignment requirements. Make necessary adjustments and rearrange the outline if needed. Then, you can start writing your essay by following the outline.

Free Essay Outlines

Create an Effective Outline Using an Essay Outline Template

Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in the writing process that should not be overlooked. Whether it’s an argumentative essay outline, a literary analysis essay outline, or a persuasive essay outline, an essay outline template can help you to structure and organize your points in a thoughtful and clear way.

By structuring an essay outline effectively, using the appropriate format for a five-paragraph essay, and following the steps to write an essay outline, writers can ensure a well-organized, coherent, and compelling essay. Utilizing an essay outline template not only enhances the writing quality but also saves time and effort in the long run.

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WTO / Guides / 35 Free Essay Outline Templates | How to Write (9 Types)

35 Free Essay Outline Templates | How to Write (9 Types)

Creating an effective essay outline is fundamental to the writing process. An appropriately crafted outline can help you create a coherent, well-planned essay. Whether you build your structure for the essay or you use a template, this first step is the key to excellent writing. 

In this article, you’ll learn what an outline is and how to make the most of it. 

What is an Essay Outline?

It is the skeleton of your final paper. It should contain all the main ideas and concepts included and demonstrate them. A proper outline will easily convey the main argument and have a coherent flow connecting ideas. 

You’ll often be asked to submit an outline before starting, but even if not, it’s essential to the writing process as it will keep your thoughts organized and your essay clear. 

Why is It Important?

While it’s entirely possible to write your essay without an outline, it won’t be nearly as structured and coherent without one. Highly effective writing takes considerable planning. After doing all the research required, you should find the best way to connect all this information to be clear and readable. 

An outline will also help keep you organized as you’re writing, making the process easier for you. You won’t need to worry about what comes next as you write. It already has the main ideas organized for you, so all you need to do is put those arguments into words. 

Finally, an outline can be helpful to make sure that you don’t miss any key arguments. It’s easy to get caught up in typing your essay as quickly as possible, so you’ll be guaranteed not to skip anything important by having an outline.

Outline Templates

Pre-Writing Considerations

Before jumping into drafting your first outline, there are some key ideas you should keep in mind first. A strong outline is all about appropriate planning and structure, so before putting pen to paper, here are some pre-considerations:

Read your assignment

The very first step is clear, that is read the assignment carefully. A big step in the writing process is making sure that you’re writing something with purpose, and, in this case, the purpose may be to follow instructions. For example, if you need to make a persuasive essay , the structure will differ from that of a research essay. 

Reading the assignment first will ensure that you’re on the right track and understand what the final product should look like. 

Answer the question

After reading the assignment, you should make sure you have a clear answer to the question. Your thesis statement should be the main argument for your essay and answer whatever question has been presented. 

For example, when writing a persuasive essay about raising the minimum wage, your outline should clearly state your stance. By taking a brief look at your outline, a reader should understand the answer to the prompt and the main arguments you’ll be using to support your opinion. 

Identify the audience

The following critical step to appropriate essay writing is to identify the audience. Of course, the style and tone of your writing will be very different depending on who your target reader is. For example, if your audience will be your peers, you may use a more casual tone than if your target reader is an academic expert. 

By identifying the audience, you’ll make sure that your word choice is practical, your register is appropriate, and your argument resonates with the reader. 

Organize your material

The next step is to collect your arguments and organize them coherently to create an outline. You may have already formed your ideas, but it’s okay if you haven’t created a strongly worded-argument yet. So here, the goal is to organize your thoughts and your sources so that you can refer back to them when you’re writing:

Create categories

You should go back through all the research and ideas you’ve considered and separate them into different categories in the outline. In a persuasive essay, the different categories may be the separate points to your argument and the information that backs them up. 

All of these different categories should be able to be connected back to your thesis statement since it’s the main idea. Depending on the essay’s length, you could have two or three principal arguments connecting to your thesis statement. Typically, you would want a minimum of one paragraph dedicated to each point. 

Afterward, once you have all of these points written down on your outline, take a moment to step back. Ask yourself if everything flows correctly or if there is any repetition. Likewise, make sure that all key arguments you want are represented in this structure. 

Order of information 

Once you have all the categories presented in the outline, you’ll want to work on the flow of the essay. While you should always have a clear introduction and conclusion, the body can come in different forms. 

The best way to do this is by considering how the different categories connect in the outline. If point A leads into point B naturally, then point A should come first. If there is a clear starting point to your essay, you should begin there. It would be best if you typically considered starting with your strongest argument to entice the reader and keep them interested. 

State your thesis

Finally, you’ll want to craft your thesis statement once the outline structure is determined. This statement will be exactly what appears in your essay, and so, it should be robust and well thought out. 

The thesis statement should state your main argument and the different points you will make in your essay. In short, your thesis statement should be a highly condensed version of the entire paper. 

How to Structure an Outline?

While every essay will be slightly different, a generalized template can be followed when starting. For example, consistent with the concepts mentioned above, the following example could be a potential outline for a persuasive essay on the controversial topic of raising the minimum wage.:

• Introduction: Minimum wage and how it affects the population.
• Hook : People working full-time cannot afford to live a luxurious life. 
• Background : Low wages affect people’s lives by impeding their ability to grow wealth, take care of their basic needs, and enjoy a dignified lifestyle.
• Thesis statement : “Increasing the minimum wage would positively impact society as it has not kept up with inflation over the years. It would reduce poverty and result in a stronger economy.” 
• Topic 1: The minimum wage has remained lower over the years and has not increased proportionally with the cost of living.
• Topic 2: Increasing minimum wage would help reduce poverty by allowing people to pay for their basic needs and have money to save.
• Topic 3: As more people would have money to spend on goods and services besides basic amenities, the economy would improve.
• Conclusion: Increasing the minimum wage would be largely beneficial for the entire population by allowing them to cover their basic needs, grow their wealth, and spend money at local businesses.
• Summary : The current minimum wage is insufficient as the cost of living far exceeds a full-time worker’s financial capabilities. It should be raised in order to meet the basic needs of the population.
• Importance of topic : The purpose of a minimum wage is to guarantee everyone’s right to have their basic needs fulfilled, therefore the minimum wage should be at a level where it reflects that.
• Strong closing statement : The current minimum wage does not meet its own requirements by definition, therefore raising it is the only option.

Each section has been discussed below to understand the above example outline better:

Introduction

The introduction will address the topic at hand. As a writer, it is your chance to entice the reader and have them interested in what they are about to read. The introduction of outline will comprise a hook, the background, and the thesis statement. Therefore, the introduction should be as catchy as possible and specifically aimed at your target reader. 

The hook will be the first statement of the introduction and should be something that catches the reader’s attention. This can often come in the form of a statistic or an otherwise powerful statement. 

Background 

After the hook, the writer should give some background information to the problem at hand. In this case, the writer can explain the current low minimum wage problem and how it poorly affects the population. This type of argument in the background information will further strengthen the author’s argument. 

Thesis statement

Traditionally, the last sentence of the introduction will be the thesis. Doing so makes it incredibly clear to the reader what will be included in the rest of the essay. This way, the reader is prepared for what comes ahead and knows exactly what the author will argue. This allows for a clear and coherent argument at the core of every effective essay. 

The body comprises the main arguments that support your thesis statement. In this example outline, three different points were given to connect to the thesis and persuade the reader to take the author’s stance. 

A minimum of one paragraph should be dedicated to each of the three body topics. Depending on the desired length, this could be increased. Regardless, the three ideas should be independent of one another but should still naturally flow from one idea to the next. This allows for coherency and improved essay structure and can be done through transition sentences.

Within the conclusion, you should be able to summarize everything that has been said up to this point and restate your main argument firmly. 

The start of conclusion will summarize three-body topics as indicated in the example outline above. This allows the reader to understand that the essay is coming to a natural conclusion and improves the fluidity of reading. 

Importance of topic

In parallel with the introduction, it is often advisable to restate the importance of the topic at hand. In this case, to restate how low wages negatively affect the population. Depending on your audience, this could be done through pure statistics or a more emotionally-based point. 

Strong closing statement

Finally, a powerful statement that ends the essay should be placed at the end of the outline. It should restate the importance of the thesis statement and persuasively mention your argument. 

Outline Format 

Depending on the type of essay you’re writing and your personal preference, there are a variety of outline formats you can use.

Here are just a couple:

Alphanumeric format of outline

This is by far the most common of the formats. It allows for a clear representation of each topic you’ll be discussing within your essay. This type of outline will use numbers to represent the main sections, while the subsections will be represented by letters, or vice-versa.

Decimal format of an outline

A decimal format is another standard outline structure. Ultimately, it is pretty similar to the alphanumeric format, but some people prefer this style as it may seem more evident. Both are perfectly acceptable as long as you use them to give your essay structure. 

Following are a few more outlines for your ease:

Download: Microsoft Word (.docx)

Frequently Asked Questions

You should start writing your outline before beginning to write your essay. In fact, your professor may even ask to see the outline earlier in an academic environment. Although, even when it is not required, an outline can be beneficial for you to smooth out the writing process. You can always use a template if you’re lost or don’t know where to start. 

Some supervisors have different guidelines that describe whether or not complete sentences are necessary. It won’t be indispensable as long as your ideas are clearly expressed in most cases. If you’re writing the outline for yourself solely, you can decide. But ultimately, the outline is there to help you during your writing process, so choose whatever you find most comfortable.

Ideally, you should follow your outline as much as possible. But, of course, as you write your essay, you may discover an alternative argument or structure that you find better. If that’s the case, make sure you take the time to consider whether or not it truly is beneficial to the overall essay.

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How to Create a Structured Research Paper Outline | Example

Published on August 7, 2022 by Courtney Gahan . Revised on August 15, 2023.

A research paper outline is a useful tool to aid in the writing process , providing a structure to follow with all information to be included in the paper clearly organized.

A quality outline can make writing your research paper more efficient by helping to:

• Organize your thoughts
• Understand the flow of information and how ideas are related
• Ensure nothing is forgotten

A research paper outline can also give your teacher an early idea of the final product.

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Table of contents

Research paper outline example, how to write a research paper outline, formatting your research paper outline, language in research paper outlines.

• Definition of measles
• Rise in cases in recent years in places the disease was previously eliminated or had very low rates of infection
• Figures: Number of cases per year on average, number in recent years. Relate to immunization
• Symptoms and timeframes of disease
• Risk of fatality, including statistics
• How measles is spread
• Immunization procedures in different regions
• Different regions, focusing on the arguments from those against immunization
• Immunization figures in affected regions
• High number of cases in non-immunizing regions
• Illnesses that can result from measles virus
• Fatal cases of other illnesses after patient contracted measles
• Summary of arguments of different groups
• Summary of figures and relationship with recent immunization debate
• Which side of the argument appears to be correct?

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The AI-powered Citation Checker helps you avoid common mistakes such as:

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Follow these steps to start your research paper outline:

• Decide on the subject of the paper
• Write down all the ideas you want to include or discuss
• Organize related ideas into sub-groups
• Arrange your ideas into a hierarchy: What should the reader learn first? What is most important? Which idea will help end your paper most effectively?
• Create headings and subheadings that are effective
• Format the outline in either alphanumeric, full-sentence or decimal format

There are three different kinds of research paper outline: alphanumeric, full-sentence and decimal outlines. The differences relate to formatting and style of writing.

• Alphanumeric
• Full-sentence

An alphanumeric outline is most commonly used. It uses Roman numerals, capitalized letters, arabic numerals, lowercase letters to organize the flow of information. Text is written with short notes rather than full sentences.

• Sub-point of sub-point 1

Essentially the same as the alphanumeric outline, but with the text written in full sentences rather than short points.

• Additional sub-point to conclude discussion of point of evidence introduced in point A

A decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline, but with a different numbering system: 1, 1.1, 1.2, etc. Text is written as short notes rather than full sentences.

• 1.1.1 Sub-point of first point
• 1.1.2 Sub-point of first point
• 1.2 Second point

To write an effective research paper outline, it is important to pay attention to language. This is especially important if it is one you will show to your teacher or be assessed on.

There are four main considerations: parallelism, coordination, subordination and division.

Parallelism: Be consistent with grammatical form

Parallel structure or parallelism is the repetition of a particular grammatical form within a sentence, or in this case, between points and sub-points. This simply means that if the first point is a verb , the sub-point should also be a verb.

Example of parallelism:

• Include different regions, focusing on the different arguments from those against immunization

Coordination: Be aware of each point’s weight

Your chosen subheadings should hold the same significance as each other, as should all first sub-points, secondary sub-points, and so on.

Example of coordination:

• Include immunization figures in affected regions
• Illnesses that can result from the measles virus

Subordination: Work from general to specific

Subordination refers to the separation of general points from specific. Your main headings should be quite general, and each level of sub-point should become more specific.

Example of subordination:

Division: break information into sub-points.

Your headings should be divided into two or more subsections. There is no limit to how many subsections you can include under each heading, but keep in mind that the information will be structured into a paragraph during the writing stage, so you should not go overboard with the number of sub-points.

Ready to start writing or looking for guidance on a different step in the process? Read our step-by-step guide on how to write a research paper .

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How to Outline an Essay

How to an essay generator.

The Purpose of Writing an Essay

An essay writing has 4 main purposes, these are:

• To inform  – An essay provides information to the readers.
• To persuade  – An essay makes the reader to take actions.
• To explain  – An essay helps the readers to understand a process.
• To entertain  – An essay also provides an emotional experience to the readers.

What Does It Mean to Outline an Essay?

It simply means that an essay must have or follows an outline to properly arrange the ideas and or topics of an essay. Outlining an essay also guides the writer logically to create a clear, well-structured and well-written essay.

Creating the Outline of the Essay

There are different outlines of essays, but most analytical, interpretive, or persuasive writing follow the same outline. Use the outline below to create your own.

• Introduction – Part 1: Write an attention-grabbing sentence.
• Introduction – Part 2: Give your thesis statement. The thesis statement is the main idea of your essay.
• Supporting evidence for the first idea.
• Additional supporting evidence for the first idea.
• Another supporting evidence for the first idea.
• Supporting evidence for the second idea.
• Additional supporting evidence for the second idea.
• Another supporting evidence for the second idea.
• Supporting evidence for the third idea.
• Additional supporting evidence for the third idea.
• Another supporting evidence for the third idea.

Tip: Provide only at least three main ideas or topic in your essay to avoid overwhelming your readers with too much information.

• Conclusion – Part 1: Repeat your thesis statement with a different approach.
• Conclusion – Part 2: Summarize your whole essay and provide an insightful message to close your essay.

The Guidelines for an Essay Outline

The following are the basic guidelines of outlining an essay.

• Introduction – The first part of the essay.
• Body – The main context of an essay.
• Conclusion – The summary writing of overall ideas or topics.
• The body or the main part of the essay should have a heading and a subheading to highlight important ideas or topics.
• The main ideas or topics of the essay must have a supporting details or evidence to support the ideas or topics of the essay.
• The thesis statement must always be present in the introduction and must be repeated in the essay conclusion part.

Does an Essay Outline Needs a Conclusion?

While the answer to this question is pretty obvious, it is still important to highlight this question. Since most of the people still have doubts as to whether they include the conclusion of an essay in the outline or not.

The short answer is yes.

As a matter of fact, the conclusion, as well as the other main part of an essay —the introduction and the body is very important to include in the outline. These main parts complete the whole essay and thus necessary to be included in the outline of the essay.

If you still have a hard time on how to write a conclusion for an essay, click the link provided.

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Write How to an Essay on constructing a compelling thesis statement.

Discuss the steps to research effectively for an academic essay in How to an Essay.