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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 10, 2023

A Complete Essay Outline - Guidelines and Format

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 15, 2019

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

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

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

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

So, let’s get started!

On this Page

What is an Essay Outline?

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

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

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

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

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

Easily Outline Your Essays In Seconds!

Prewriting Process of Essay Outline

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

Here are the guidelines:

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

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How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Steps

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

Step 1: Understand the Topic

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

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

Step 2: Brainstorm and Gather Ideas

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

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

Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts

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

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

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

Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints

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

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

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

Essay Outline Format

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

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

An essay outline consists of three main parts:

1. Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Body Paragraphs

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

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

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

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

3. Conclusion

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

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

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

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Structure

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

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

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Essay Outline Template

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

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

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

Essay Outline Sample

Essay Outline Examples

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

Essay outline 4th grade

Essay outline 5th grade

Essay outline high school

Essay outline college

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

Argumentative Essay Outline

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

Persuasive Essay Outline

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

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

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

Narrative Essay Outline

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

Expository Essay Outline

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

Analytical Essay Outline

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

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

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

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

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

Informative Essay Outline

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

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

Synthesis Essay Outline

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

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

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

Definition Essay Outline

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

Descriptive Essay Outline

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

Evaluation Essay Outline

Problem Solution Essay Outline

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

Scholarship Essay Outline

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

Reflective Essay Outline

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

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

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of outlines.

Here are the three types of essay outline;

• Working outline
• Speaking outline
• Full-sentence outline

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

What does a full-sentence outline look like?

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

What is a traditional outline format?

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

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

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

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

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How to Write an Essay Outline?

28 August, 2020

8 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

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

What is an Essay Outline?

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

Why Do You Need It?

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

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

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

Preparing Your Outline

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

1. Develop a Topic

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Develop a thesis statement

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

Structuring Your Outline

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Outline Examples

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

Alphanumeric format essay outline sample:

Decimal format essay outline sample:

Drawing the Line

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

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

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How to Write an Essay Outline

Writing a comprehensive outline will save hours of writing and editing time, so it’s essential to master. Coming up with outlines is useful beyond just academics, any project you undertake will benefit from a well-structured outline. This article will cover everything you need to know about writing an essay outline and contains several handy templates!

What Is an Essay Outline?

Put simply, an essay outline is a brief plan of your paper. It lays out the structure of the essay, it includes all the main points, and it collects all your research and information. A good outline for essay writing helps you think about how the information will flow and makes sure that you have a plan moving forward. 

There can be many kinds of outlines depending on citation style and type of essay, but the key thing about all of them is that they help arrange and organize your main points to make the writing process easier.

How to Write an Outline For an Essay ?

Almost all forms of writing can benefit from an outline. An academic essay usually follows the classic 5 paragraph format of essay writing, so that’s a good way to start structuring your outline. This means you’ll have an introduction section, 3 body paragraph sections, and a conclusion section. 

An outline is just for you, so don’t worry too much about making it perfect, no one else is going to see it. Fill it with as much information as you need, but remember that outline essay writing is supposed to help you organize the final essay. In case you need to hand in your outline this article covers more structured outlining as well and has several templates for you to follow.

Outline Writing Tips 

Keep these things in mind when creating an outline of an essay

• Collect all your information in one place and they see what fits into your outline. 
• Your outline will go through many drafts, don’t feel pressure to make the first version perfect
• Follow a template and fill in the blanks, this will make sure your outline has some flow. But make sure you spend time restructuring the information, no template is perfect and you may see better ways of organizing your essay.
• Work on your thesis before you start outlining. This will help structure the outline and make sure you only include relevant information. 

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General Essay Outline Format

If your outline needs to be submitted to your teacher then they may ask you to follow a specific outline format for the essay, these are discussed after this section. If you just need an outline for yourself, then this is a simple and short essay outline template to follow. Remember, this is YOUR outline, add things, skip sections, draw arrows, do whatever you need to to make it work for you.

• The title of your essay
• Your teacher’s name
• The name of the course
• Introduction
• A catchy hook
• Two sentence summary of the purpose of your paper
• Your thesis statement
• Transition sentence to the first body paragraph
• Body Paragraph 1
• First main point, argument, or piece of evidence
• How it connects to your thesis
• Transition sentence to the second body paragraph
• Body Paragraph 2
• Second main point, argument, or piece of evidence
• Transition sentence to the third body paragraph
• Body Paragraph 3
• Third main point, argument, or piece of evidence
• Transition sentence to the conclusion
• Summary of the main points of the paper
• Your main conclusion
• Reiterate your thesis statement
• Works Cited/Bibliography

How to create an essay outline in MLA and APA styles

You’re probably familiar with the two main citation styles in use  - Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA). MLA is used for literature studies, philology, linguistics, etc. while APA is used for psychology, science, education studies, etc. 

In general, there are 2 types of outlines, a basic outline, and full sentence outline. The only difference between them is that a full sentence outline requires the use of full sentences in headings and a basic outline doesn’t. Ask your teacher which one is preferred if they want you to hand in an outline and they haven’t specified. In the next sections you’ll find an essay outline example in MLA and APA styles.

MLA Essay Outline Template

Though there is no specific format for an MLA outline, you should follow the general MLA format (double-spaced and Times New Roman 12 pt. font). Use an alphanumeric outline structure:

• Headings in Roman numerals (I, II, III), 
• Subheadings in uppercase letters (A, B, C); 
• Then numbers (1, 2, 3) 
• And finally lowercase letters (a, b, c). 
• Make sure to add a period to each one. 

Here’s a sample basic outline for an essay in MLA style to make things clear. 

• Introduction - Why the pyramids were confusing to Europeans
• Summary - Europeans had misconceptions about Africa
• Thesis statement - A lack of information, eurocentric pride, and disdain for Africa led to doubts about the origins of the pyramids
• Body paragraph 1 - Age of the pyramids
• First point - How they were discovered
• Explanation - Why the pyramids seemed impossible
• Subpoin - Tool use and geometry 
• Transition - European discovery
• Body paragraph 2 - Discovered by Europeans in the 1800s
• First point - Colonial mindset
• Explanation - Misconceptions about ancient Africa
• Transition - Modern findings
• Body paragraph 3 - The evidence
• First point - New analysis of ancient building techniques
• Explanation - Could have been done with hard work and dedication
• Transition - Not aliens
• Conclusion - An example of prejudiced thinking
• Summary - The story of how pyramids were understood
• Thesis - The past was strange
• Conclusion - We know better now

APA Essay Outline Template

APA has a specified format for outlines. The headings format is alphanumeric like for MLA outlines, but there are 3 types of APA outlines - APA basic format, full sentence format, and decimal format. ‍

APA basic format and full sentence format use the following heading structure:

• Main Heading use Roman Numerals
• The first level of subheadings use capital letters
• Further subheadings use numbers 
• Further subheadings use lower-case letters.
• Further subheadings use numbers in parentheses

The only difference between APA basic format and full sentence format is that you write a full sentence rather than just a fragment for each point. 

The only difference between the decimal format and the other two is that it uses a different numbering system.

Decimal format example:

• First heading is 1.0.
• First paragraph in the first heading is 1.1.
• First point of your first paragraph is 1.1.1.
• Second sentence of your first paragraph is 1.1.2.
• Third sentence of your second paragraph is 1.2.3.
• Second heading is 2.0.
• Third sentence in the second paragraph under the second heading is 2.2.3.

If that seems complicated, don’t worry! It’s very rarely asked for and it’s very simple to get used to. 

Here’s a full sentence APA template to go over.

• Introduction - The pyramids have been fascinating to people since they were first constructed over 6000 years ago, but when they were re-discovered by Europeans some absurd theories came into existence.
• Summary - European misconceptions about ancient tools and building techniques as well as African history led to many misconceptions.
• Thesis statement - A lack of information, eurocentric pride, and disdain for Africa led to doubts about the origins of the pyramids.
• Body paragraph 1 - It’s staggering to think that the ancient Egyptians were as old to the ancient Romans as the ancient Romans are to us now.
• First point - The pyramids have been visible and famous since they were constructed, but Europeans visiting Egypt in the middle ages claim to have rediscovered them and did not believe in their African origins.
• Explanation - The massive size and fine construction of the pyramids made it seem impossible.
• Subpoin - Knowledge of what building tools and methods were available in ancient Egypt were not available.
• Subpoin - The size and precision cutting of the stones stumped scientists.
• Transition - The enlightenment and age of science helped solve some of these mysteries.
• Body paragraph 2 - It wasn’t till Napoleon in the 18th century that European scientists started analyzing ancient Egyptian culture.
• First point - Till then, the prevailing colonial mindset was just to loot and plunder as much as possible.
• Explanation - Europe had a dogma of “civilizing the savages”.
• Transition - These new scientific studies started unearthing clues to how the pyramids were constructed.
• Body paragraph 3 - After 1940 many expeditions and excavations took place and since the 1980s many questions have been answered.
• First point - The discovery of the village of workers made it clear that the pyramids were of African Origin.
• Explanation - A greater understanding of ancient Egyptian culture based on scientific data gave more evidence.
• Transition - Finally people could confidently answer that it wasn’t aliens!
• Conclusion - This was a glaring example of prejudiced thinking during the middle ages.
• Summary - The story of how pyramids were understood is connected to the discovery of how ancient Egypt used to be.
• Conclusion - We can learn not to judge before we have reliable data and evidence.

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Find your essay outline template by your essay type

Different types of essays need different kinds of information and some have unique structures of their own. In this section you’ll find simple essay outline templates for 5 common essay types.

Argumentative essay outline example

An argumentative essay uses evidence and logic to convince the reader that your point of view on an issue is correct. An outline is especially useful for this type of essay since it helps organize your arguments. Take a look at this outline example for essay template. 

• Background information
• First argument
• Second argument
• Opposing argument 1
• Your counterclaim with the evidence
• Opposing argument 2
• Summary of your main arguments
• Importance of your viewpoint

Expository essay outline example

An expository essay presents facts from both sides of an issue and makes an unbiased observation at the end. Keep your own opinions and emotions out of this type of essay. An outline can help arrange the various perspectives as well as make sure you don’t accidentally show bias. Here’s a template for you to follow.

• Present your topic
• First topic sentence
• Evidence 
• Analysis 
• Transition 
• Second topic Sentence
• Third topic Sentence
• Summary of the main points
• Importance of the topic 
• Possible further research

Reflective essay outline example

Reflective essays are one of the most fun essays to write. They ask you to write about an experience in your life and analyze how it impacted you. These are less formal than typical academic essays and are usually written in the first person (so use personal pronouns like “I”). These types of essays offer a lot of freedom so there is no particular way to write them, still, an outline can help organize your thoughts and clarify which emotions, feelings, and sensations you want to write about.

• Teaser for the full story
• Introduce the story
• Antagonist/conflict
• The build-up
• Details about the conflict
• Role of characters 
• The resolution of the climax
• The conclusion of the story 
• Summary of the events
• What you learned
• How it impacted you

Compare and contrast essay outline example

Compare and contrast essays ask you to analyze two things and examine any connections. This type of essay isn’t as formal or structured as expository essays so you don’t have to follow a specific structure. An outline is helpful to collect all the information and to help draw conclusions though, so here’s an example outline.

• Background information about the 2 points
• Connect point 1 and point 2
• Similarities
• Differences
• Comparisons
• Conclusions from analysis
• Other points to compare against
• Further research

Research essay outline example

A research essay requires finding reputable sources, analyzing and synthesizing information, and presenting your conclusion backed by evidence. These are popular assignments because they require critical thinking skills as well as research skills. Always use an outline if you’re assigned a research essay, it will help organize information and shorten writing time.

• First research finding
• Second research finding
• Analysis of research
• What you agree with and why with the evidence
• What you disagree with and why with the evidence
• Summary of research
• Importance of research

Quick Wrap Up

There is no denying that an outline helps with the writing process. Famous authors, YouTube scripts, speechwriters, everyone uses outlines to help organize their thoughts and present information effectively. Make sure you master this skill because it’s going to be useful throughout your life. 

If an outline is just for you (it’s not going to be given to a teacher) then follow a template, but there’s no reason to stick to it exactly. Draw on it, add sections, delete sections, do whatever you need to do to make the information you have to make the most sense to you. On the other hand, if it’s supposed to be handed in, check what format it’s supposed to be in and follow the format. 

The specific templates in this article are a good starting point, but you may need to add body paragraphs or make other minor changes here and there. After all, a template is just a guide.  

Hopefully, this article has given you tips, outlines, and a bunch of other helpful information, but if you need any help essay writer service or custom essay writing ,  Studyfy also offers custom essay writing services , " write my admission essay " service and coursework writing service help. If you need a top-quality paper that meets all your requirements, just say, write my paper for me , and our essay writers online will take care of the rest. Our custom essay writing services are designed to help you achieve academic success and get good grades. Trust us to provide you with the best possible outcome and reach out to us today to learn more about our services.

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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.

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Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Parts of a Paper / How to Write an Essay Outline

How to Write an Essay Outline

It’s 11 p.m., your paper is due tomorrow, and you’re only about halfway done. You’re typing along and when you realize that, wait…you’re actually not a huge fan of your argument or the supporting examples you’re using. Your options are to haphazardly keep writing or to backtrack and rehash what you’ve already done. Ugh. Unsurprisingly, both options aren’t great.

This scenario is scary, but totally avoidable! Though it’s tempting to just start writing, one of the best steps you can take before you type a single word is to create an outline for your paper. By taking the time to write a paper outline, you can prevent the scenario above and make your writing process a cinch!

Guide Overview

What is a paper outline, why it’s worth writing an outline.

• Step 1: gather your relevant materials
• Step 2: create your thesis
• Step 3: find examples
• Step 4: analyze your examples
• Step 5: arrange your examples

A paper outline is a skeletal version of your paper. Another way to think about an outline is to view it as a roadmap. An outline helps you organize and streamline your thoughts ahead of time. By front loading this work, you allow the eventual writing process to be much easier: instead of having to backtrack and see if your paper makes sense, you can refer to your outline and be rest assured that you’re on the right track.

It’s understandable if you think it’s not worth the time to write an outline. After all, writing a paper in itself is a lot of work – why add an extra step?

Here’s the secret: creating an outline and then writing your paper takes about the same amount of time as jumping straight into writing your paper. Why? By immediately writing, you run the risk of having to go back and see if the flow of your paper makes sense. Backtracking takes up a lot of time: having to go back and revise your paper because you missed a point can be a pain.

Taking the time to outline your paper gives you the space to see what arguments work, which examples to include, and more. Doing this prep work ahead of time prevents you from having to do it while in the middle of your paper. Your completed outline serves as a solid reference as you write your assignment. In an ideal world, your outline should be so thorough that the writing process is essentially just you converting your bullet points into sentences that flow together!

How to outline a paper

Step 1: gather your relevant materials.

The first step to take when outlining a paper is to gather all your relevant materials. If you’re writing a paper about a book you’re reading in class, start thinking about which passages from the book are relevant to your prompt. If you’re writing a paper about a broader topic, identify what sources you’ll need to construct your argument.

Pro tip: Avoid plagiarism and keep track of the sources you’re using at EasyBib.com! Easily create an APA or MLA format citation , try out our Chicago citation generator , and find help for other citation styles.

Step 2: Create your thesis

After you’ve compiled your materials, start thinking about your thesis statement. Revisit your assignment prompt, peruse your materials, and determine what your viewpoint is regarding the prompt.

Step 3: Find examples

Once you have your thesis, come up with ways to support it. Identify the quotes you need or the arguments you want to utilize in order to bolster your thesis.

Step 4: Analyze Your Examples

Write 3-4 bullet points connecting your examples to your thesis. The analysis part of your paper is the meat of your paper, so feel free to take as much time as you want during this step.

Step 5: Arrange Your Examples

Now that you have your examples and analysis, arrange them in a logical way that helps you develop and support your thesis. This is the step in which you can start copying and pasting your notes into an outline that mimics the flow of your paper. By the end of this step, you should have a solid outline!

Here’s a template for a five paragraph essay you can use for your papers moving forward:

Before you jump into writing your paper, it might pay to take a quick look at our EasyBib grammar guides . Discover what an abstract noun is, read a determiner definition , see the difference between regular and irregular verbs , and get familiar with other parts of speech.

EasyBib Writing Resources

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• Academic Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• College Admissions Essay
• Expository Essay
• Persuasive Essay
• Research Paper
• Thesis Statement
• Writing a Conclusion
• Writing an Introduction
• Writing an Outline
• Writing a Summary

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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.

Related posts:

• Guide to Write A Book Summary for School
• Organize Your Notes with Note-taking Apps

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Essay outline guide | Templates and samples (MLA and APA)

Before you start: preparation, • always make sure that you begin preparing for your essay plenty of time in advance., this will ensure that you give enough time for each step necessary to achieving your goal. • choose your topic early and stick with it so that you will have access to the most resources possible. • as you write your outline, keep a copy of your essay and all of your research notes, doing your research, the sources that you will use to write an essay are generally divided into two different types: primary and secondary sources. you will need both in order to write an essay that is perceived well by your professor, tutor, or instructor., a primary source is an original piece of text produced at the same time that the events described in the source took place. these sources can include letters, diaries, films, interviews, surveys, legal and political documents, newspapers reporting current (and not past) events, and all types of fiction. a secondary source is one that interprets primary sources or past events, such as an academic essay or non-fiction book based on research. for most essays, secondary sources will suffice, while for research essays primary sources are also often necessary., if you are having difficulty coming up with a resource list,  contact us we can do this for you so that it’s easier for you to write your own essay., getting started, here is a template that you can use to write your essay outline, once you have collected your sources., the thesis statement, a thesis statement is the first thing that is necessary for your outline. this statement of your core idea or argument allows you to express your opinion about a topic in a concise way. a thesis statement is not a topic or a question, but rather an interpretation of a topic or question. for example, if the topic is the vietnam war, then the thesis must outline an opinion about the war, its effects, or its causes. the statement must also be as narrow as possible, ensuring that it is possible to discuss all relevant information about the topic. a sample of this statement could be: the vietnam war began because of complex socioeconomic issues in southeast asia which were complicated by us interventionism., outline part 1: the introduction section, the introduction of your essay allows you to familiarize your reader with your thesis and the general information known about your topic. this first section also gives you the opportunity to outline what you will be covering in your research and the conclusions that you expect to find., what you’ll need to include in your outline:, • thesis statement • topic and areas of research • expected conclusion, outline part 2: the analysis section, this is the main body of the essay, and usually consists of a minimum of three paragraphs, but can run to many pages, approximately 75% of the total essay length. the analysis section allows you to provide background information on other research completed on this topic in the past, or related topics that may have an effect on your findings., one good way to organize your argument is to establish three reasons why your thesis is correct, by supplying information on all sides of the issue. provide supporting evidence from the research that you have completed to back up each of these three reasons to support your thesis. you will likely need at least two or three different citations from your reference list for each reason., you should also provide an analysis of the counter-arguments to your thesis. you can generate counter-arguments by asking yourself what someone who disagrees with you might say about the points you have made, or the proof you have provided from the academic literature., • argument 1, rationale, and counterargument • argument 2, rationale, and counterargument • argument 3, rationale, and counterargument, if you are having trouble coming up with arguments for your essay, contact us let us help you by doing the research for you., outline part 3: the conclusion section, in this section, you will need to paraphrase your thesis argument and its main justification, and show why your thesis is correct. this is not the space to introduce new information, but rather to sum up everything that you have proven in your essay., • whether your thesis statement is backed by the research you have completed • how your findings can help or hinder an understanding of the topic as a whole, outline part 4: essay citations and references, even in your outline, you will need to reference these examples or concepts, see what research had been done to support your ideas, and agree or disagree with certain theorists in the field., there are a number of different reference types. the apa style is used for essays in the social sciences—such as anthropology, economics, psychology, and sociology. the life sciences—such as biology, environmental science, medicine—use a similar style such as chicago or turabian. finally, english literature essays use a style called mla. in general, mla and apa are the most common essay referencing systems., with all styles, you will need in-text citations and a reference list in your essay outline. an in-text citation refers to citing the source of a direct quote or idea provided in the scholarly literature. while apa requires page numbers for quotations only, some professors who prefer mla style will ask for a page number citation for each idea. chicago in-text citations are footnotes, while the other styles just present the citation in brackets after each quote or idea. it is best to use the citation system recommended by your professor or school, because there are often variations., plan carefully, writing an essay outline, if it is done well, is a detailed process. the most important thing to understand is that an essay is always a personal opinion, and therefore what you think about a topic cannot be considered true or false. it is your job to critically evaluate research sources in order to determine their validity and importance with respect to your topic. this is as true in an essay outline as in the full essay. make sure you dedicate as much time to your outline as you expect to do when you write your essay. a good rule of thumb is to spend 8 hours working on each page of your essay., essay samples, take a look at these  essay samples to get an idea of how to structure your own work when doing different types of essays. .

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay Outline

October 25, 2023

The importance of developing a persuasive essay outline cannot be overstated. As the foundation of your essay, the outline serves as a roadmap, guiding your thoughts and arguments in a logical and coherent manner. It allows you to organize your ideas, supporting evidence, and counterarguments systematically, enabling you to present a compelling and persuasive case.

A well-structured outline helps you stay focused on your main objective and prevents you from straying into irrelevant tangents. It gives you a clear sense of direction and ensures that you cover all the necessary aspects of your argument. Additionally, it helps you identify any gaps in your reasoning or missing evidence, allowing you to address them before delving into the actual writing process.

By investing time in creating a persuasive essay outline, you save time in the long run. It allows you to see the big picture, enabling you to refine your arguments and make necessary revisions before starting on the actual essay. Ultimately, a well-crafted outline streamlines the writing process and sets you up for success, increasing the chances of producing a persuasive and impactful essay. So, don’t skip the important step of developing a persuasive essay outline; it is an essential tool that will make your writing process smoother and more effective.

Understanding the Structure of a Persuasive Essay

To create an effective persuasive essay, it is essential to understand the structure of such essays. A persuasive essay typically follows the classical structure of an argument, which consists of three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

• Introduction: The introduction serves to grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. It should start with a hook, followed by a thesis statement that outlines the main argument.
• Body: The body of the essay serves to present and support the main argument through a series of main points and supporting evidence. To organize the body of the essay, you can use the following structure:
• Main point 1: Start with a topic sentence that introduces the first main point. Follow with supporting evidence and examples to support this point.
• Main point 2: Introduce the second main point, followed by evidence and examples.
• Main point 3: Introduce the third main point, followed by evidence and examples.
• Counterarguments: Address opposing views and present counterarguments.
• Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main arguments and reiterates the thesis statement. It provides a final call-to-action or a concluding statement.

In summary, understanding the structure of a persuasive essay is essential in creating an effective outline. A well-organized outline will make your writing process more efficient, allowing you to create a persuasive and impactful essay.

Steps to Create an Effective Persuasive Essay Outline

Creating an effective persuasive essay outline involves several crucial steps. By following these steps, you can ensure that your outline is well-structured, organized, and serves as a solid foundation for your essay.

• Selecting a Topic for Your Persuasive Essay: Choose a topic that is interesting, relevant, and debatable. Consider your audience and their potential biases or interests.
• Conducting Research and Gathering Evidence: Thoroughly research your topic and gather supporting evidence, facts, statistics, and expert opinions. This will strengthen your arguments and make them more persuasive.
• Developing a Thesis Statement: Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that presents your main argument or position on the topic. The thesis statement should be specific and debatable.
• Organizing Your Main Arguments: Identify the main arguments that support your thesis statement. These should be your key points that you want to make throughout the essay.
• Creating Subpoints and Supporting Details for Each Argument: Under each main argument, create subpoints that further develop and support your main arguments. Include relevant evidence, examples, and explanations to strengthen your points.
• Incorporating Counterarguments and Rebuttal: Acknowledge and address opposing viewpoints or counterarguments. Provide a rebuttal for each counterargument by presenting evidence or logical reasoning that supports your stance.

With these steps, you can create a comprehensive and persuasive essay outline. Remember, the outline should be detailed enough to guide your writing process, but also flexible enough to accommodate any adjustments or changes during the actual essay writing. Taking the time to develop a strong outline will ultimately save you time and ensure that your final essay is clear, coherent, and convincing.

Persuasive Essay Outline Format

When it comes to formatting a persuasive essay outline, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are some common elements and guidelines you can follow to create a well-structured outline.

• Introduction:
• Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing opening sentence or question.
• Background information: Provide some context and background information on the topic.
• Thesis statement: Clearly state your main argument or position on the issue.
• Main points: List the main arguments that support your thesis statement. Each main point will serve as a separate section or paragraph in your essay.
• Supporting evidence: Under each main point, provide evidence, examples, statistics, or quotes that support your argument.
• Counterarguments: Address possible counterarguments and incorporate rebuttals to strengthen your position.
• Conclusion:
• Summary: Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Restate thesis: Restate your thesis statement, emphasizing the main argument or position.
• Call to action: End with a call to action or a thought-provoking question to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Remember to use clear and concise language, and ensure that each section flows logically into the next. Use headings or subheadings to clearly label each section in your outline. Lastly, the outline should serve as a flexible guide, so feel free to modify or reorganize as needed during the writing process.

Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay Outline

Writing a persuasive essay outline can be challenging, and it’s essential to use effective strategies to simplify the process and create a cohesive essay. Here are some tips to help you:

• Keep your audience in mind: Consider your audience’s values, opinions, and biases when creating an outline. This will help you tailor your arguments to their interests and make them more persuasive.
• Don’t skip the research: Conduct thorough research to gather relevant evidence and statistics to support your thesis statement. This will strengthen your arguments and make them more convincing.
• Stay organized: Clearly label each section and subsection to create a well-organized outline. This will help keep your arguments coherent and easy to follow.
• Incorporate counterarguments: Address opposing viewpoints and provide counterarguments to make your stance stronger.
• Revise and edit: Once you’ve completed your outline, review it to ensure that it’s well-organized, clear, and concise. Make any necessary revisions and edit for grammar and spelling errors.

By following these tips, you can create a persuasive essay outline that lays a strong foundation for your writing and helps you to organize your ideas efficiently. Remember to use clear and concise language, and stay focused on your main arguments to create a compelling and convincing essay.

Persuasive Essay Outline Example

I. Introduction A. Hook: Start with a thought-provoking question. B. Background information: Provide context and introduce the topic. C. Thesis statement: Clearly state your main argument or position.

II. Body A. Main Point 1 1. Supporting evidence: Provide statistics or facts that support your argument. 2. Examples: Use real-life examples to illustrate your point. 3. Explanation: Explain how the evidence and examples relate to your main argument.

B. Main Point 2 1. Supporting evidence: Present research or expert opinions that support your argument. 2. Examples: Include specific cases or anecdotes that back up your point. 3. Explanation: Make connections and show why the evidence is relevant.

C. Main Point 3 1. Supporting evidence: Introduce studies or surveys that support your argument. 2. Examples: Provide real-world scenarios that highlight your point. 3. Explanation: Clarify the significance of the evidence and its impact on your argument.

III. Counterarguments and Rebuttal A. Address opposing viewpoints and counterarguments. B. Provide evidence and logical reasoning to rebut the counterarguments. C. Demonstrate how your argument is the stronger position.

IV. Conclusion A. Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. B. Restate the thesis statement, emphasizing your main argument or position. C. Call to action: End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Note: This is just a general outline example. Adapt and modify it according to the specific requirements of your persuasive essay topic and arguments.

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How To Write An Essay Outline?

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Writing an essay can be a daunting task, especially if you lack confidence in your writing skills. An essay outline is the foundation of any successful essay and provides structure and clarity to the writing process. Creating an essay outline will help you organize your thoughts into a logical order and make it easier to write the final draft. In this article, we’ll look at how to create an effective essay outline that will guide you in writing a great piece.

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What Is An Essay Outline?

An essay outline is a tool used in the writing process to organize ideas and structure them into an essay. An outline is a map of sorts, allowing writers to see where they are headed with their written work and ensuring they stay on track. It can help create order, give shape to ideas, and provide a focus for research.

An essay outline is an important part of the writing process. It provides structure and organization to help writers craft a well-thought-out, comprehensive essay. An outline can also serve as a roadmap for constructing the actual essay itself.

Essay outlines are typically organized according to topics and subtopics listed in an order that creates logical flow and cohesion. Generally, each topic will take up one paragraph in the body of the essay, so outlining helps authors determine how many points need to be made, as well as helping them organize them effectively.

Writers may choose to create their outlines using a formal format like MLA or APA style or they can opt for something more informal such as a bulleted list of topics and specific points they want to make about each one.

Essay outlines typically consist of four main parts: the introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, and works cited page (if necessary). Within each part are subsections that further down the material into specific topics or points.

The introduction section lays out the general idea or argument in the essay while providing some context for that argument. The body paragraphs then dive deeper into each point or topic discussed in the introduction, often using evidence from outside sources to back up any claims made by the writer.

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5 Steps For Writing An Essay Outline:

Writing an essay outline can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right steps and preparation, you can easily organize your thoughts into a concise and well-written plan. Here are five steps for creating an effective essay outline:

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas.

The first step in writing an essay outline is brainstorming ideas for your topic. Consider all possible angles you may have missed or questions arising from the topic. This will help narrow your focus so you can develop an argument or opinion.

It also allows you to look at different angles from which you can approach the paper. Additionally, brainstorming encourages creativity and critical thinking skills essential when constructing an argument or point of view for your paper. To get started on this process, try listing out keywords related to the main theme of your essay and then use these as prompts for further exploration within the topic area.

Once you clearly know what to write about, start by gathering relevant evidence to support your claims and arguments. Collecting resources such as books, articles, databases, and websites will help support your points in the paper.

Step 2: Choose A Topic.

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to choosing the right topic. Before you even start writing, it’s important that you create an outline and take some time to consider the subject matter. An effective essay outline will provide structure and guidance as you begin your project.

Your essay’s topic should be interesting for you and relevant to the assignment at hand. Use reliable resources such as books, websites, or academic journals to learn more about current events or topics related to the assignment’s theme.

When choosing a topic for your essay, it pays to do some research and ask yourself questions like “What am I passionate about?” or “What kind of topics interest me?” Taking the time to answer these questions can help you identify potential topics that resonate with you on a personal level.

Another great way to choose a topic is by exploring current events or issues in the world today. Doing so can make for informed and up-to-date essays, as well as ones that allow readers to gain insight into complex ideas.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential topics, think about how each relates to the assignment and which would best suit your writing style. Additionally, ensure that there is enough information available on each suggested topic to cover all aspects of it in your paper adequately.

Step 3: Create A Structure.

An essay outline is a great way to structure and organize your thoughts before writing. It will enable you to stay on track when writing the essay and save time in the long run. An essay outline should include a brief introduction of the topic, followed by the body of the essay that covers all relevant points and ends with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of discussion.

Before beginning to write your outline, it is important to consider the structure you want for your paper. The structure will depend on how many points you need to make to support your main argument. For example, if you are writing about a single event or experience, you may want a linear structure that follows chronologically from start to finish.

When creating an essay outline, it’s important to consider your audience and their expectations for the project. Ask yourself what information they need to understand the points you are making in your paper. Once you have determined this, decide on a structure that makes sense for conveying those ideas clearly and concisely.

Step 4: Fill In the Content.

This is one of the essential steps in creating an effective essay outline. Once you’ve created your basic framework, the fourth step is to fill in content that will fill up those sections. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:

Start by understanding the purpose of your essay. Knowing what you want to accomplish with it will help guide your content choices as you start filling in information for each section of your outline. Consider researching relevant topics to build out your arguments or points of view surrounding the subject at hand; This could include facts, figures, quotes, or other elements that support the main ideas within each section.

Step 5: Finishing Touches.

Finishing touches are the last step in the outlining process and can make or break your essay’s potential for success.

The finishing touches of outlining an essay involve adding any additional steps needed to ensure that your paper flows smoothly from beginning to end. These steps include ensuring all grammar and punctuation are correct, reviewing each section individually to look for errors, and double-checking that all sources have been cited appropriately.

Additionally, this is the time to add any personal thoughts or original ideas that could add value or further explain a point you are trying to make. Finally, it’s important to read through your outline one more time before submitting it as part of your essay; this will give you one last chance to make changes or additions, if necessary, before submitting the final product.

The Importance Of A Well-Written Essay Outline

Creating an essay outline is a beneficial step toward writing a well-crafted essay. Not only does it help authors organize their thoughts, but it also improves the overall quality of the paper. Here are five key benefits to consider when constructing an essay outline:

Benefit #1: Improved Organization.

A carefully crafted essay outline will provide students with a roadmap for their writing journey, allowing them to focus on the main points of their argument without getting sidetracked by tangents or irrelevant information. Additionally, having an organized structure makes it easier for readers to follow along with the writer’s train of thought. This increases the overall clarity and readability of the paper, as well as its ability to communicate its message effectively.

Benefit #2: Spotting Potential Problems.

A well-written essay outline can provide a wealth of benefits to the writer, including increased efficiency and productivity. The second benefit of having an essay outline is that it can help you spot potential problems with your argument before you write the full essay. When writing an essay, it’s important for the writer to have a clear idea of what they want to say and how they will make their points.

 An outline allows writers to analyze their ideas from a different perspective, allowing them to identify any potential issues or inconsistencies in their argument before committing too much time or effort to write the entire paper.

Outlines also allow writers to consider alternative approaches and structures for their essays. Writers can then decide which approach best suits their individual goals and objectives rather than being limited by pre-determined rules or formats that may not suit them.

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Benefit #3: Increased Clarity And Focus.

Outlines provide structure and clarity to written work, making it easier to produce a well-crafted piece. There are many benefits that come with creating a strong essay outline, such as increased clarity and focus on the subject.

When using an essay outline, writers have an opportunity to organize their thoughts logically prior to beginning their essays. This allows them to gain perspective on what they would like their final product to look like while drafting or revising it. It also is an essential tool for tracking progress throughout the writing process. When it comes time to write, having a pre-planned structure helps keep writers focused on the main points and arguments of their essays.

Benefit #4: Efficient Writing Process.

Using an outline helps speed up the writing process by providing writers with a blueprint they can follow while crafting their essays. Writers no longer have to pause or switch directions when developing ideas, as they have already established what topics will be discussed within each section prior to beginning the writing process. With an organized plan at hand, writers can focus on conveying their message more effectively, instead of worrying about where to start or what direction to take next.

Benefit #5: Time Management Tool.

An effective outline will help you stay organized, stay on task and ensure you are addressing all aspects of the essay in a timely manner. By having a clear and concise structure, you can ensure that your research and writing will be as efficient as possible.

Outlines provide an overview of what needs to be discussed within the essay’s body while also allowing you to determine which topics need further research or more attention. It serves as a roadmap with clear directions on reaching your destination: your paper’s finished product. An outline makes it easier to track progress and review written material at each step. You are able to identify areas where more work needs to be done or information that may need to be noticed.

FAQ Section :

Should i use full sentences in my outline.

Creating an outline for a project or paper is essential to the writing process. Outlines help writers organize their thoughts, understand the structure and flow of their work, and ensure that all topics are covered. But when it comes to creating an effective outline, should you use full sentences?

The answer depends on your preferences and writing style. Using shorter phrases or bullet points may be sufficient for some people to get the job done. This approach works well if you already have a good idea of what you want to say in your paper or project and just need to put it down in a logical order. On the other hand, using full sentences allows you to flesh out your ideas and better visualize how they relate to each other.

What Is An Outline For An Essay?

An essay outline is a useful tool for organizing and structuring your written work. It helps to visually represent the essay’s structure, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Outlines are also helpful for brainstorming new ideas and developing a plan of attack for writing an essay. Whether you’re working on a research paper or crafting an argumentative essay, outlining can help make your task easier.

Essay outlines typically follow a general pattern, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction sets out the main purpose of the essay and gives readers an overview of what they can expect to read in the following pages. The body paragraphs consist of evidence that supports your thesis statement and detailed points about each topic discussed in the essay. Finally, the conclusion wraps up all points discussed in prior sections while leaving readers with something to think about afterward.

How Do You Start Writing An Outline?

Writing an outline is one of the most important parts of creating a quality essay or research paper. It allows you to organize your thoughts and ensure that your argument flows logically from one point to the next. To get started on writing an effective outline, there are several steps that you should follow.

The first step is to decide on a topic for your paper or essay. You should choose something that interests you and has enough available research material so that you can effectively support your arguments. Once you have chosen a topic, it is important to narrow it down so that it is easier to work with during the outlining process.

Once you have narrowed down your topic, start gathering information and organizing it into different categories based on how they relate to each other. This will help make creating the outline much easier because all of the necessary points will already be organized in a logical fashion.

How to Write an Expository Essay: Definition, Outline, Writing Tips, and Examples

In the realm of academic writing, this type of essay stands as a beacon of clarity, demanding writers to illuminate a subject with precision and objectivity. Whether you're a seasoned essayist or a student embarking on your first exploration of this genre, mastering the art of expository writing is a valuable skill that transcends disciplines. This form of essay invites you to delve into expository essay topics, dissect their intricacies, and present your findings in a straightforward manner. 

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the terrain of expository writing, unraveling the techniques and strategies that transform a mere composition into a beacon of insight. From understanding the fundamental principles to honing your ability to craft a compelling thesis, join us on a journey that promises to demystify the process of writing, empowering you to articulate ideas with clarity and purpose. Or, you can get our essay writing help and take care of other important tasks set for today.

What Is an Expository Essay

An expository essay is a form of academic writing that aims to elucidate, clarify, and present a balanced analysis of a particular topic or idea. Unlike other essay types that may delve into personal opinions or narratives, the expository essay emphasizes objectivity and factual accuracy. The primary objective is to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the chosen subject, exploring its various facets, presenting evidence, and ensuring a logical progression of ideas. 

According to an expository essay definition, this genre requires the writer to delve into research, organize information systematically, and deliver a coherent and informative piece that educates the reader on the chosen topic. Whether investigating a scientific concept, historical event, or literary work, it serves as a vehicle for conveying knowledge in a concise, lucid manner.

Expository Essay Examples

An expository essay example serves as a valuable tool for students, offering a concrete illustration of the structure, style, and depth expected in this genre of writing. By studying examples, students gain insights into effective thesis formulation, organizing ideas within paragraphs, and integrating supporting evidence to bolster arguments. 

Additionally, examples showcase how to balance factual accuracy and engaging prose, providing a model for clear and concise communication. Students can draw inspiration from the content and presentation of well-crafted expository essays, honing their own skills in research, analysis, and effective expression. By the way, we have an interesting autobiography example , so check it out!

Example 1: “The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence”

This expository essay explores the multifaceted evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), examining its historical roots, contemporary applications across various industries, and the consequential societal impact. It provides a comprehensive overview of AI's journey from philosophical debates and early computational developments to its current role as a transformative force in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and entertainment. Additionally, the essay addresses ethical considerations surrounding the widespread adoption of AI, including concerns related to job displacement, privacy, and responsible development. Ultimately, it navigates the complex landscape of artificial intelligence, shedding light on its remarkable advancements and its challenges to our ever-changing society.

Example 2: “The Benefits of Outdoor Education for Children”

This essay highlights the advantages of outdoor education for children, emphasizing its positive impacts on their physical, mental, and social development. It argues that outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and team sports not only promote physical health by encouraging movement and reducing sedentary behavior but also contribute to mental well-being by providing a respite from everyday stressors and fostering a connection with nature. Furthermore, it suggests that exposure to outdoor environments cultivates environmental awareness and a sense of stewardship among children.

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Types of Expository Essay

Expository essays come in several distinct types, each serving a unique purpose and requiring specific approaches to convey information effectively. One common categorization includes:

• Descriptive Expository Essay. This type focuses on painting a vivid picture of a subject, using sensory details to engage the reader's imagination. It aims to create a clear and sensory-rich portrayal of a person, place, object, or experience.
• Process Expository Essay. Here, the writer breaks down a complex process or procedure into manageable steps, providing a detailed and sequential explanation. This type of essay is instructional, guiding readers through a series of actions to achieve a specific outcome.
• Comparison and Contrast Expository Essay. This form involves analyzing similarities and differences between two or more subjects, offering insights into their shared characteristics or divergent qualities. It requires a careful examination of the chosen elements to highlight their relationships.
• Cause and Effect Expository Essay. Focused on exploring the reasons behind an occurrence and its subsequent consequences, this type delves into the cause-and-effect relationships within a given topic. Writers elucidate the connections between actions and outcomes, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
• Problem and Solution Expository Essay. Addressing real-world issues, this essay type identifies a specific problem, analyzes its root causes, and proposes viable solutions. It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, compelling readers to consider alternative approaches to challenges.
• Definition Expository Essay. This essay seeks to clarify and explain the meaning of a particular term, concept, or idea. Writers provide a comprehensive definition, often including examples and illustrations to ensure readers grasp the essence of the subject.
• Cause and Effect Expository Essay. This type of essay examines the reasons behind a particular phenomenon or event and explores its subsequent effects. It aims to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship, allowing readers to comprehend the interconnected elements of the topic.

Understanding these diverse types of essays empowers writers to choose the most suitable approach for effectively conveying information and achieving their communicative goals. Our experts can rewrite essay that you already did according to any of the above-mentioned types.

Expository Essay Topics

Selecting compelling expository essay topics requires thoughtful consideration of both personal interest and the potential engagement of the intended audience. Start by identifying subjects that genuinely captivate your curiosity or align with your expertise, as this enthusiasm will naturally infuse vigor into your writing. Additionally, assess the topic's relevance in the broader context, ensuring it addresses contemporary issues or timeless themes. 

Consider the audience's interests, aiming for subjects that resonate with their experiences or evoke a sense of shared relevance. Striking a balance between uniqueness and accessibility is key—opt for topics that allow you to offer fresh perspectives while ensuring there is ample research material available. Ultimately, the best topics seamlessly blend your passion, the audience's interests, and the broader significance of the chosen subject, ensuring a captivating and informative exploration for both writer and reader alike. Here are expository essay ideas from our writers for your inspiration:

• The influence of art on human emotions.
• Exploring the life cycle of a star.
• Tips for sustainable living in urban areas.
• The impact of social media on political awareness.
• How to cultivate a positive mindset in challenging times.
• The history and cultural significance of tattoos.
• The process of recycling electronic waste.
• Benefits of incorporating meditation into daily routines.
• The role of laughter in maintaining mental health.
• Understanding the psychology of decision-making.
• The impact of fashion on individual expression.
• Tips for effective conflict resolution in relationships.
• The science behind the sense of taste.
• The significance of biodiversity in ecosystems.
• Exploring the history of traditional folk music.
• How to foster a sense of community in a neighborhood.
• The benefits of learning a musical instrument.
• The evolution of communication technologies.
• The process of seed germination in plants.
• Tips for creating a productive home office space.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on job markets.
• Understanding the concept of emotional intelligence.
• The benefits of practicing gratitude daily.
• The history and cultural importance of tea.
• How to develop effective public speaking skills.
• Exploring the world of virtual reality technology.
• The significance of water purification methods.
• Tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• The process of making sustainable food choices.
• The role of literature in shaping societal norms.

Expository Essay Outline

An outline for expository essay is a structured plan that serves as a roadmap for organizing the main ideas and supporting details of the essay in a logical and coherent manner. While the specific structure may vary based on the assignment or preferences, a typical outline generally includes the following components, beginning with how to start an expository essay:

Expository Essay Introduction

• Hook or attention-grabbing statement.
• Background information on the topic.
• Clear thesis statement that presents the main idea.

Body Paragraphs (usually three or more)

• Topic sentence for each paragraph, presenting a main point or supporting idea.
• Supporting evidence, facts, or examples to illustrate and explain the topic sentence.
• Analysis or interpretation of the evidence to connect it back to the thesis.

Expository Essay Conclusion

• Restatement of the thesis in different words.
• Summary of the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Concluding thoughts or insights, possibly suggesting implications or future considerations.

Transitions

• Smooth transitions between paragraphs to ensure a cohesive flow of ideas.
• Clear connections between sentences and paragraphs to guide the reader through the essay.

Revising and Editing

• Space for notes on areas that may need revision or improvement.
• Consideration of clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness.

By creating an expository essay outline, a college essay writer can organize their thoughts, ensure a logical progression of ideas, and maintain a clear and concise structure. This framework helps writers stay focused on the main purpose of the essay – to inform, explain, or analyze a particular subject – while providing a roadmap for readers to follow and comprehend the information presented.

How to Write an Expository Essay Step by Step

Writing an expository essay involves a systematic process that ensures clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in conveying information. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you craft an expository essay:

Choose a Topic

• Select a topic that interests you and aligns with the purpose of an expository essay – to inform, explain, or analyze a subject.

Conduct Research

• Gather relevant and credible information to support your chosen topic. 
• Utilize reputable sources such as academic journals, books, and reliable websites.

Create an Outline

• Develop a clear and organized outline that includes the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Each section should have a specific purpose and contribute to the overall coherence of the essay.

Write the Introduction

• Start with an attention-grabbing hook that relates to your topic. 
• Provide background information and context, leading to a concise and focused thesis statement that outlines the main idea.

Develop Body Paragraphs

• Each body paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point. 
• Support the topic sentence with evidence, facts, or examples. 
• Ensure a logical flow between paragraphs, using transitions to guide the reader.

Provide Evidence

• Support your points with credible evidence and examples. 
• Ensure that each piece of evidence directly relates to the topic sentence and supports the overall thesis of the essay.

Analyze and Interpret

• After presenting evidence, analyze and interpret it. 
• Explain the significance of the evidence and how it relates to your thesis. 
• This step helps to ensure that your audience understands the relevance of the information presented.

Write the Conclusion

• Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs without introducing new information. 
• Restate the thesis in different words and offer concluding insights or implications related to the topic.

Revise and Edit

• Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and consistency. 
• Check for grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas. 
• Consider feedback from others or take a break before revising to gain a fresh perspective.
• Carefully proofread your essay to catch any remaining errors, typos, or issues. 
• Pay attention to grammar and punctuation.

By following these steps, you can systematically approach the writing process and create a well-organized and informative expository essay. Remember to stay focused on the purpose of informing, explaining, or analyzing the chosen topic throughout the entire writing process.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to write an expository essay offers students several important advantages. First off, it helps them express their thoughts clearly and organize ideas effectively, skills that are useful not only in academics but also in various professional situations where clear communication is key. 

Moreover, writing expository essays improves critical thinking as students practice analyzing information, connecting ideas, and presenting well-supported arguments. This skill is valuable in everyday decision-making and problem-solving scenarios. 

Additionally, the process of crafting such essays enhances research abilities, teaching students how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. Overall, mastering expository writing equips students with practical, transferable skills that can positively impact their academic and professional pursuits. You can use our research paper service to cope with assignments better and faster.

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What are the Different Types of Expository Essays?

What is the most important part of the expository essay structure, what is the main idea in expository writing.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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

Related Articles

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline: Template and Example

High school and college students often face challenges when crafting a compare-and-contrast essay. A well-written paper of this kind needs to be structured appropriately to earn you good grades. Knowing how to organize your ideas allows you to present your ideas in a coherent and logical manner

This article by our custom-writing team delves into all the fine details of structuring your compare-and-contrast paper. It also provides practical examples of the two main outlining methods you may use. Keep reading to up your writing game!

• 👀 Comparison Essay Outline Types
• 🔍 Before You Start
• ✍️ How to Write an Outline
• ✅ Outline Template
• 📑 Outline Examples

🔗 References

👀 compare and contrast essay outline types.

A compare and contrast paper studies similarities and differences between two or more subjects. But how do you present the points of comparison? Well, in this kind of essay, there are two methods of structuring the text: point-by-point and block .

Before composing your essay, it’s crucial to choose the approach that suits your assignment best. Your choice will depend on how you want to approach and present your ideas.

Let’s examine these two methods in more detail.

Point-by-Point Comparison Essay

The point-by-point method implies discussing one point of comparison at a time. For example, if you’re comparing two cities, you may dedicate separate paragraphs to their size, population, and architecture.

The point-by-point arrangement has advantages and disadvantages. Keep them in mind before deciding whether to use it or not.

Block Method Compare and Contrast Essay

The block method, also known as subject-by-subject comparison, is a way of outlining your assignment that involves discussing each subject separately. For example, in an essay about different types of fruit, you will discuss the features of one fruit at a time.

This approach has shortcomings and strengths that may affect how you want to handle your essay.

🔍 Comparative Essay Outline: Before You Start

After you’ve chosen a topic (you’re welcome to consult our list of compare-and contrast essay topics for inspiration,) you enter the pre-writing stage. It involves brainstorming, researching, and determining which points are the most important. Here’s how to do it:

• Brainstorming and in-depth research are vital when working on a compare-and-contrast essay. It helps you figure out the direction your paper will take and provides you with source materials. At this initial stage, your main goal is to identify various similarities and differences between the things you want to write about.
• After determining the similarities and differences between your subjects of choice, decide which points are the most significant . They will assist you in developing your essay’s thesis statement and paragraphs.

It’s important to remember that you can leave some things out of your assignment. There may be so much material to cover that you will never finish the paper in the first place!

So, how do you determine what’s worth including in your paper? Consider the following factors:

Useful Tip:

You can draw a Venn diagram and list the similarities and differences to make your comparison easier. Simply draw large intersecting circles and name each one to reflect the traits or subjects you are comparing. Write all the similarities inside the circles’ intersections and differences in the remaining space of each one.

Here’s an example of a Venn diagram comparing the US and Canada with crosses and checkmarks representing what’s different and similar between them, respectively:

✍️ How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

Do you need some more guidance in outlining your paper? Well, look no further! Here is a comprehensive coverage of how to write a perfect outline for your compare-and-contrast essay.

Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction

Your essay’s introduction is arguably its most important section. It gives readers a solid summary of your paper’s contents and helps them understand what to expect as your comparison essay progresses.

Here’s what a good introduction is made of:

• Background information about your topic that the readers need to know before proceeding.
• A catchy hook that captures and retains your audience’s attention up to the end.
• A thesis statement that provides a direction and ties up your whole assignment. All your arguments will focus on defending this statement.

Hook for Compare and Contrast Essay + Example

Ways of creating a hook can differ based on your essay’s purpose and overall tone:

Here is a hook example to inspire you. It uses statistics in the form of a question:

Did you know that over 60% of online shoppers prefer using their mobile devices over desktop ones?

Need more ideas on how to start your essay? Check out our article on hooks in writing !

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Thesis

Formulating your paper’s thesis statement is critical to drafting the outline. In most cases, its purpose is to clarify what features make the subjects of comparison different or similar.

Note that your essay’s thesis may vary depending on its function. For instance, it might serve an informational or judgmental purpose:

• If your thesis is informative , you only need to enumerate differences and similarities between your subjects of comparison.
• But if your thesis is judgmental , you should state which similarities or differences are the most significant.

Check out these examples to understand the difference better:

Comparison Essay Outline: Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs in a contrast essay support your thesis about the subjects you are comparing.

Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that states the passage’s main idea. The rest depends on the type of outline you’re using: you either discuss the features of one subject of comparison or focus on one criterion and describe it in relation to each topic.

Let’s see it in more detail. Say, we’re comparing subjects A and B according to their features 1, 2, and 3:

📌 Point-by-Point Body Paragraphs Arrangement

📌 Block Method Body Paragraphs Arrangement

Compare and Contrast Essay Transition Words

A compare and contrast essay features a set of similar and distinct items. To make the comparison easier to understand, you can use words that create a smooth transition between your ideas and thoughts.

Transition words serve 4 essential purposes in a compare and contrast assignment:

• They make transitioning and linking between thoughts easier.
• They make your writing more dynamic.
• They improve readability in your paper.
• They set the stage for ideas that will be introduced next.

Here are transition words you can use to show similarities in your comparison essay:

Similarly, too, just as, also, both, comparatively, same as, like, in the same way.

For contrasting, use appropriate transition words to give your paper a more logical, coherent flow. These include:

However, in contrast to, conversely, while, more than/less than, rather than, unlike, although, compared with.

Compare and Contrast Essay Conclusion

Finally, it’s time to wrap up your comparison essay. Your conclusion should contain 2 core elements:

• Summarized key points. Sum up the main arguments you’ve presented throughout your essay. Make sure to refrain from introducing any new ideas at this point!
• A restated thesis. Your essay’s conclusion should also restate your thesis and prove that you’ve effectively defended it in the body paragraphs.
• A final thought. A good conclusion leaves the reader with something to think about. In a compare-and-contrast essay, it can be a statement that connects it to the broader context or underlines the topic’s significance.

✅ Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Template

Now, let’s sum up everything you’ve learned about different ways to outline your compare-and-contrast essay using the block or point-by-point approaches. Here are the templates you can use for structuring your paper:

📌 Point-by-Point Method Outline Template

📌 Block Method Outline Template

📑 Compare and Contrast Outline Examples

Are you stuck with your paper and need an outline example to inspire you? You’ll find it below!

Here are 2 outline samples done using point-by-point and block methods.

📌 Point by Point Outline Example: Differences between Fresh and Canned Foods

📌 Block Method Outline Example: Differences between Backpacking and Staying in Hotels

We hope these insights and template examples will inspire you to master the structure of the compare-and-contrast essays. Use these ideas to excel in your studies and do your homework quickly!

Further reading:

• Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Tips and Examples
• Literature Review Outline: Examples, Approaches, & Templates
• Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline: Examples & Strategies
• How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples

❓ Compare and Contrast Essay Outline FAQs

You can use different approaches to hook your readers from the get-go. Start your paper using an anecdote, a relevant question, or an exciting fact about the subjects you compare. You may also use a related quote from a famous person.

The body paragraphs in a comparative essay provide a detailed and systematic analysis of the similarities and differences between the two or more. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point of comparison and provide evidence to support the argument.

Subject-by-subject comparison is a method of organizing and presenting a comparison essay in which you first discuss all aspects of one subject, followed by a discussion of all aspects of the next subject. This approach is also sometimes called a point-by-point comparison.

A point-by-point comparison is a method of organizing a compare-and-contrast essay in which you discuss specific points of comparison between the subjects. You select the criteria and discuss each one in a separate paragraph or section.

To end a compare and contrast essay, restate the thesis statement, summarize the main points, and provide a final thought. This creates a clear and concise summary of the essay’s argument and proves its significance to the reader.

• Comparison and Contrast: University of Minnesota  
• Comparing and Contrasting: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  
• How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay: Grammarly  
• Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast: Kellogg Community College  
• Compare & Contrast Essay: Excelsior University Site  
• Comparison and Contrast Essays: Saint Mary’s University  
• Compare & Contrast Assignments: The University of Arizona Global Campus  
• Organizational Patterns for the Comparison/Contrast Essay: San José State University  
• Compare/Contrast Papers: University of Washington  
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