outline essay difference

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.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

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

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Essay Outline Template

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

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

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

Essay Outline Sample

Essay Outline Examples

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

Essay outline 4th grade

Essay outline 5th grade

Essay outline high school

Essay outline college

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

Argumentative Essay Outline

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

Persuasive Essay Outline

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

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

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

Narrative Essay Outline

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

Expository Essay Outline

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

Analytical Essay Outline

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

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

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

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

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

Informative Essay Outline

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

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

Synthesis Essay Outline

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

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

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

Definition Essay Outline

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

Descriptive Essay Outline

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

Evaluation Essay Outline

Problem Solution Essay Outline

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

Scholarship Essay Outline

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

Reflective Essay Outline

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of outlines.

Here are the three types of essay outline;

Working outline
Speaking outline
Full-sentence outline

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

What does a full-sentence outline look like?

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

What is a traditional outline format?

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

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

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

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

Was This Blog Helpful?

Keep reading.

How to Write an Essay - A Complete Guide with Examples

The Art of Effective Writing: Thesis Statements Examples and Tips

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

What is a Topic Sentence - An Easy Guide with Writing Steps & Examples

220 Best Transition Words for Essays

Essay Format: Detailed Writing Tips & Examples

How to Write a Conclusion - Examples & Tips

Essay Topics: 100+ Best Essay Topics for your Guidance

How to Title an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for Effective Titles

How to Write a Perfect 1000 Word Essay

How To Make An Essay Longer - Easy Guide For Beginners

Learn How to Start an Essay Effectively with Easy Guidelines

Types of Sentences With Examples

Hook Examples: How to Start Your Essay Effectively

Essay Writing Tips - Essential Do’s and Don’ts to Craft Better Essays

How To Write A Thesis Statement - A Step by Step Guide

Art Topics - 200+ Brilliant Ideas to Begin With

Writing Conventions and Tips for College Students

Types of Outlines and Samples

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Alphanumeric Outlines

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

Roman Numerals
Capitalized Letters
Arabic Numerals
Lowercase Letters

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

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

What is the assignment?

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

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

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

Full Sentence Outlines

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

Decimal Outlines

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

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

The First Steps

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

Generalizing

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

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

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

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

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

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

Putting It All Together

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

I. POLICY INITIATIVES

II. VOTERS' CONCERNS

III. FINANCIAL RESOURCES

A. Fundraising

a. Original Idea

b. McCain Quote/Bush Quote

c. McCain Statistics/Bush Statistics

B. Campaign Contributions

C. Ad Expenditure

IV. VOTERS' LOYALTY

How to Write an Outline for an Essay 🤓| Studyfy

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.

Struggling with the Outline for your Essay Homework?

Get your assignments done by real pros. Save your precious time and boost your marks with ease.

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.

Did you like our inspiring Essay Outline Writing Guide?

For more help, tap into our pool of professional writers and get expert essay editing services!

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.

Featured Posts

How to write a term paper.

How To Make An Essay Longer

How to Write a Dissertation

How to Write an Essay

How to Write a Research Paper

How to Write a Discussion Post

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

Writing a paper.

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

EasyBib Plus Features

Citation Generator
Essay Checker
Expert Check Proofreader
Grammar Checker
Paraphrasing Tools

Plagiarism Checker

Spell Checker

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Grammar and Plagiarism Checkers

Grammar Basics

Plagiarism Basics

Writing Basics

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Walden University
Faculty Portal

Writing a Paper: Outlining

Outlining strategies.

Outlining your first draft by listing each paragraph's topic sentence can be an easy way to ensure that each of your paragraphs is serving a specific purpose in your paper. You may find opportunities to combine or eliminate potential paragraphs when outlining—first drafts often contain repetitive ideas or sections that stall, rather than advance, the paper's central argument .

Additionally, if you are having trouble revising a paper, making an outline of each paragraph and its topic sentence after you have written your paper can be an effective way of identifying a paper's strengths and weaknesses.

Example Outline

The following outline is for a 5-7 page paper discussing the link between educational attainment and health. Review the other sections of this page for more detailed information about each component of this outline!

I. Introduction

A. Current Problem: Educational attainment rates are decreasing in the United States while healthcare costs are increasing. B. Population/Area of Focus: Unskilled or low-skilled adult workers C. Key Terms: healthy, well-educated Thesis Statement: Because of their income deficit (cite sources) and general susceptibility to depression (cite sources), students who drop out of high school before graduation maintain a higher risk for physical and mental health problems later in life.

II. Background

A. Historical Employment Overview: Unskilled laborers in the past were frequently unionized and adequately compensated for their work (cite sources). B. Historical Healthcare Overview: Unskilled laborers in the past were often provided adequate healthcare and benefits (cite sources). C. Current Link between Education and Employment Type: Increasingly, uneducated workers work in unskilled or low-skilled jobs (cite sources). D. Gaps in the Research: Little information exists exploring the health implications of the current conditions in low-skilled jobs.

III. Major Point 1: Conditions of employment affect workers' physical health.

A. Minor Point 1: Unskilled work environments are correlated highly with worker injury (cite sources). B. Minor Point 2: Unskilled work environments rarely provide healthcare or adequate injury recovery time (cite sources).

IV. Major Point 2: Conditions of employment affect workers' mental health

A. Minor Point 1: Employment in a low-skilled position is highly correlated with dangerous levels of stress (cite sources). B. Minor Point 2: Stress is highly correlated with mental health issues (cite sources).

V. Major Point 3: Physical health and mental health correlate directly with one another.

A. Minor Point 1: Mental health problems and physical health problems are highly correlated (cite sources). B. Minor Point 2: Stress manifests itself in physical form (cite sources)

VI. Major Point 4: People with more financial worries have more stress and worse physical health.

A. Minor Point 1: Many high-school dropouts face financial problems (cite sources). B. Minor Point 2: Financial problems are often correlated with unhealthy lifestyle choices such unhealthy food choices, overconsumption/abuse of alcohol, chain smoking, abusive relationships, etc. (cite sources).

VII. Conclusion

A. Restatement of Thesis: Students who drop out of high school are at a higher risk for both mental and physical health problems throughout their lives. B. Next Steps: Society needs educational advocates; educators need to be aware of this situation and strive for student retention in order to promote healthy lifestyles and warn students of the risks associated with dropping out of school.

Introduction/Context

Your introduction provides context to your readers to prepare them for your paper's argument or purpose. An introduction should begin with discussion of your specific topic (not a broad background overview) and provide just enough context (definitions of key terms, for example) to prepare your readers for your thesis or purpose statement.

Sample Introduction/Context: If the topic of your paper is the link between educational attainment and health, your introduction might do the following: (a) establish the population you are discussing, (b) define key terms such as healthy and well-educated , or (c) justify the discussion of this topic by pointing out a connection to a current problem that your paper will help address.

Thesis/Purpose Statement

A thesis or purpose statement should come at the end of your introduction and state clearly and concisely what the purpose or central argument of your paper is. The introduction prepares your reader for this statement, and the rest of the paper follows in support of it.

Sample Thesis Statement: Because of their income deficit (Smith, 2010) and general susceptibility to depression (Jones, 2011), students who drop out of high school before graduation maintain a higher risk for physical and mental health problems later in life.

After the initial introduction, background on your topic often follows. This paragraph or section might include a literature review surveying the current state of knowledge on your topic or simply a historical overview of relevant information. The purpose of this section is to justify your own project or paper by pointing out a gap in the current research which your work will address.

Sample Background: A background section on a paper on education and health might include an overview of recent research in this area, such as research on depression or on decreasing high school graduation rates.

Major & Minor Points

Major points are the building blocks of your paper. Major points build on each other, moving the paper forward and toward its conclusion. Each major point should be a clear claim that relates to the central argument of your paper.

Sample Major Point: Employment and physical health may be a good first major point for this sample paper. Here, a student might discuss how dropping out of high school often leads to fewer employment opportunities, and those employment opportunities that are available tend to be correlated with poor work environments and low pay.

Minor points are subtopics within your major points. Minor points develop the nuances of your major points but may not be significant enough to warrant extended attention on their own. These may come in the form of statistics, examples from your sources, or supporting ideas.

Sample Minor Point: A sample minor point of the previous major point (employment and physical health) might address worker injury or the frequent lack of health insurance benefits offered by low-paying employers.

The rest of the body of your paper will be made up of more major and minor points. Each major point should advance the paper's central argument, often building on the previous points, until you have provided enough evidence and analysis to justify your paper's conclusion.

More Major and Minor Points: In this paper, more major points might include mental health of high school dropouts, healthcare access for dropouts, and correlation between mental and physical health. Minor topics could include specific work environments, job satisfaction in various fields, and correlation between depression and chronic illness.

Your conclusion both restates your paper's major claim and ties that claim into a larger discussion. Rather than simply reiterating each major and minor point, quickly revisit your thesis statement and focus on ending the paper by tying your thesis into current research in your field, next steps for other researchers, your broader studies, or other future implications.

Sample Conclusion: For this paper, a conclusion might restate the central argument (the link between lack of education and health issues) and go on to connect that discussion to a larger discussion of the U.S. healthcare or education systems.

Outlining Video

Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

Prewriting Demonstrations: Outlining (video transcript)

Related Resources

Didn't find what you need? Email us at [email protected] .

Previous Page: Brainstorming
Next Page: Organizing Your Thoughts
Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

Academic Residencies
Academic Skills
Career Planning and Development
Customer Care Team
Field Experience
Military Services
Student Success Advising
Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

Center for Social Change
Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
Office of Degree Acceleration
Office of Research and Doctoral Services
Office of Student Affairs

Student Resources

Doctoral Writing Assessment
Form & Style Review
Quick Answers
ScholarWorks
SKIL Courses and Workshops
Walden Bookstore
Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
Student Safety/Title IX
Legal & Consumer Information
Website Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Accessibility
Accreditation
State Authorization
Net Price Calculator
Contact Walden

school Campus Bookshelves
menu_book Bookshelves
perm_media Learning Objects
login Login
how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
hub Instructor Commons
Download Page (PDF)
Download Full Book (PDF)
Periodic Table
Physics Constants
Scientific Calculator
Reference & Cite
Tools expand_more
Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

6.18: Moving From Outline to Draft

Last updated
Save as PDF
Page ID 58335
Lumen Learning

Learning Objectives

Explain how to draft an essay from an outline

Using the Outline

An effective way to begin writing your first draft is to begin with your outline. Hopefully during the prewriting stage, you’ve collected notes, evidence, and ideas. First, you’ll want to organize these ideas into an outline for your paper and pick a working thesis statement. Follow the steps below to turn your outline into the first draft of your essay.

Step 1: Figure out your main points and create the headings for your outline

Let’s take a look at a very simple example—imagine that you’ve already created an outline for a five-paragraph essay on “why I love my dog.” It might have the following headings:

I. INTRODUCTION and THESIS: I love my dog because he is a good companion, he is well-behaved, and he is cute.

II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1: My Dog is a Good Companion

III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2: My Dog is Well-Behaved

IV. BODY PARAGRAPH 3: My Dog is Cute

V. CONCLUSION

Since the topic is why I love my dog, each of the body paragraphs will present a reason why you love your dog. Always make sure your main ideas directly relate to your topic and connect to the thesis statement. Don’t worry if you are not completely satisfied with the ordering; you can always change it later.

Step 2: Add your supporting ideas

The next step is to fill in supporting ideas for each of your main ideas.

To continue the example above, a writer might fill in part II of the outline as follows:

II. Body Paragraph 1: My Dog is a Good Companion

A. My dog is fun

1. My dog likes to play

2. My dog likes to go on walks

B. My dog is friendly

1. My dog likes to cuddle

2. My dog likes people

Give any necessary explanations, descriptions, evidence, or examples to convince the reader that you are making a good point. If you are using quotes, you can add those to the outline. Remember to include the appropriate citation based on whichever format your teacher requires; having that information in your outline will speed things up when you write your paper (since you won’t have to go hunting for the bibliographic information) and make it easier to avoid plagiarism.

When you have finished adding supporting ideas, read through the outline to see if there is anywhere you think your argument has holes or could be further fleshed out. Make sure that your ideas are in the most logical order. Don’t be afraid to test out different orderings to see what makes the most sense!

Step 3: Turn your headings and subheadings into complete sentences

When writing a short to medium-length paper, each heading (or main idea) will typically correspond to one paragraph. For longer papers, each heading may be a section and your first (or even second) level of subheading will eventually become your paragraphs. See how many sentences fall under each heading to get a rough idea of what correspondence makes the most sense for your paper.

Step 4: Construct your paragraphs

Next, start at the beginning of your outline and go through point by point. Start to put your sentences together into paragraphs. You may need to add transition phrases or even extra sentences to make sure your prose flows naturally. You might also find that even though your ideas seemed to make sense in the outline, you need to add still more details here or change the order of your ideas for everything to fully make sense. You may even find that you have too many ideas or that some ideas are not really all that relevant and need to be cut. That is perfectly normal. The outline is a plan to help you get organized, but you always have the flexibility to change it to fit the needs of your assignment.

Once you have finished turning your outline into paragraphs, you should have a decent first draft of your paper. Now you just need to proofread, revise, and repeat until you are ready to turn in your assignment!

Consider this guidance from an English professor. She’s talking about a specific essay assignment for her students, but the general concepts of the video apply to all writing situations. Professor Pell’s best advice is to not write the sections of your paper in order. Instead, take advantage of the outline to skip around to the parts that are easiest to develop first, and that will have the biggest impact of your paper overall.

You can view the transcript for “Moving from Outline to Draft” here (download).

While you’ll have different sections of your paper, the concept still applies. Decide for yourself what order will be most effective to write in, and free yourself up to put off the difficult parts until last!

https://assessments.lumenlearning.co...essments/20261

Contributors and Attributions

Modification, adaptation, and original content. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
Using an Outline to Write a Paper. Provided by : CUNY School of Professional Studies. Located at : https://bacwritingfellows.commons.gc.cuny.edu/using-an-outline/ . Project : Writing Fellows. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Drafting. Authored by : Marianne Botos, Lynn McClelland, Stephanie Polliard, Pamela Osback. Located at : https://pvccenglish.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/eng-101-inside-pages-proof2-no-pro.pdf . Project : Horse of a Different Color: English Composition and Rhetoric. License : CC BY: Attribution
Helping Others Follow. Provided by : Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries. Located at : https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/helping-others-follow/ . Project : Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research. License : CC BY: Attribution
Moving from Outline to Draft. Authored by : Professor Pell. Located at : https://youtu.be/a4ztr384xy4 . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

The Plagiarism Checker Online For Your Academic Work

Start Plagiarism Check

Editing & Proofreading for Your Research Paper

Get it proofread now

Online Printing & Binding with Free Express Delivery

Configure binding now

Academic essay overview
The writing process
Structuring academic essays
Types of academic essays
Academic writing overview
Sentence structure
Academic writing process
Improving your academic writing
Titles and headings
APA style overview
APA citation & referencing
APA structure & sections
Citation & referencing
Structure and sections
APA examples overview
Commonly used citations
Other examples
British English vs. American English
Chicago style overview
Chicago citation & referencing
Chicago structure & sections
Chicago style examples
Citing sources overview
Citation format
Citation examples
College essay overview
Application
How to write a college essay
Types of college essays
Commonly confused words
Definitions
Dissertation overview
Dissertation structure & sections
Dissertation writing process
Graduate school overview
Application & admission
Study abroad
Master degree
Harvard referencing overview
Language rules overview
Grammatical rules & structures
Parts of speech
Punctuation
Methodology overview
Analyzing data
Experiments
Observations
Inductive vs. Deductive
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Types of validity
Types of reliability
Sampling methods
Theories & Concepts
Types of research studies
Types of variables
MLA style overview
MLA examples
MLA citation & referencing
MLA structure & sections
Plagiarism overview
Plagiarism checker
Types of plagiarism
Printing production overview
Research bias overview
Types of research bias
Example sections
Types of research papers
Research process overview
Problem statement
Research proposal
Research topic
Statistics overview
Levels of measurment
Frequency distribution
Measures of central tendency
Measures of variability
Hypothesis testing
Parameters & test statistics
Types of distributions
Correlation
Effect size
Hypothesis testing assumptions
Types of ANOVAs
Types of chi-square
Statistical data
Statistical models
Spelling mistakes
Tips overview
Academic writing tips
Dissertation tips
Sources tips
Working with sources overview
Evaluating sources
Finding sources
Including sources
Types of sources

Your Step to Success

Plagiarism Check within 10min

Printing & Binding with 3D Live Preview

Essay Outline – Definition & Step-By-Step Guide

How do you like this article cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

A properly formatted essay outline can make all the difference in the world between authoritative research and a poorly written presentation. It plays an important role when structuring academic essays , as it functions as a tool for organizing thoughts and depicting ideas coherently. In this article, we will provide insights into the fundamentals of creating an essay outline in 4 steps and organizing your material effectively.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Essay Outline — In a Nutshell
2 Definition: Essay outline
3 Organizing your material
4 4 steps for writing an essay outline
5 Essay outline: Example

Essay Outline — In a Nutshell

Learning how to create a well-written outline is a talent that can be used throughout your life. While the process may seem slightly complicated at first glance, it will become a secondhand skill within no time at all. For this, you may want to follow the 4 steps discussed in this article:

Setting the aim
Sorting redundancy and too much material
Allocating the different messages of each paragraph
Orienting on a standard template for essay outlines

Definition: Essay outline

It is first wise to define what an essay outline refers to. Simply stated, this template represents a rough format of how the structure of an academic essay will appear before the bulk of the writing begins. This “skeleton” will also provide you with a foundation from which content can be fleshed out; providing insight and clarity to the reader.

While the exact appearance of an essay outline will vary in terms of length, basic content, and subject matter, it can still be broken down into a handful of key sections.

An introduction (such as an abstract , a summary, or a thesis statement ).
The first topic
The second topic
The third topic
Additional subsections that may be required
The conclusion
A page containing any relevant citations

The primary intention of an outline is to provide the writer with a strong foundation from which the ideas themselves can be further developed in a concise manner.

Organizing your material

The usefulness of any essay outline is often determined by how it is organized in terms of both content and structure. This normally occurs during the preliminary brainstorming session, when you begin to collate the main facts and points that you hope to emphasize. In other words, try to define a single sentence that expresses what it is that you are trying to convey. You can then begin gathering important information.

One useful suggestion is to create different categories for any research notes that are required. This is important, as these notes will often be used as references to support your observations.

Another strategy involves listing the main sections of an essay outline in accordance with the research that has already been gathered. This is an effective way to make certain that citations are placed within the correct sections; helping to avoid lengthy editing concerns.

4 steps for writing an essay outline

Now that we have perused some of the basic principles associated with creating an essay outline, where should you begin? Let us answer this question by segmenting it into four key stages.

Set your target

Every journey begins with the first step. In terms of an essay outline, this involves what you are trying to convey to the reader. The target could be associated with defining a specific problem, presenting an argument, or even drawing conclusions based on existing evidence. A target will serve as an “anchor” that the remainder of the text is tied into.

Sort out the fluff

One common mistake that can be attributed to university-level essay outlines is the inclusion of entirely too much material. We should remember that brevity is the soul of wit. Furthermore, the chances are high that an instructor will be analyzing dozens of such papers. Verbose presentations may therefore fall upon deaf ears. Once a rough outline has been completed, take some time to review what it contains:

• Are all subsections necessary? • Is any information redundant? • Do you feel that the template is suitable for the required word count?

Attempt to answer these questions as clearly as possible.

Determine the points

Each section should contain clear points that do not overlap with other portions of the essay outline. The finished paper may otherwise appear sloppy and confusing. Check to make certain that no information is repeated and that each segment seamlessly leads into subsequent topics. This is a great way to reinforce the main idea.

Use a standard template

Even with the suggestions mentioned above, it can still be difficult to compile a well-written essay outline. This is why it may be prudent to employ pre-formatted templates that are available online. These templates will provide you with a bit of much-needed guidance and a number of unique configurations are available. Here are some common examples:

University application essays.
General essay outline checklists.
Scholarship essay templates.
Typical assignment outlines.

These are some of the many useful options at your disposal and the majority are free to access.

Essay outline: Example

Let us now move on to present a typical essay outline example based on an entirely fictional topic. Here is how a standard template would appear:

Title : Why German Shepherds are the Best Dogs

Thesis/Introduction : German shepherds are excellent pets for a variety of reasons and they should be seriously considered for companionship.

Heading 1 : Excellent with Children

Research-based evidence
A history of human interaction

Heading 2 : Great for Security

Facts associated with guard dogs
The beneficial physical aspects of German shepherds

Heading 3 : Extremely Intelligent Animals

Studies highlighting their intelligence
Real-world examples

Note: This essay outline is highly simplified . However, it still succinctly illustrates the main points of the paper.

What is an essay outline?

An outline can be envisioned as a “road map” that is intended to provide you with a strong structural foundation before the writing begins. Some professors may even require an outline before a specific topic is approved.

What is the optimal length of an essay outline?

The length of an outline will depend on variables such as the content, what is being discussed, and any stipulations provided by the instructor. Note that it is often possible to shorten or elongate an essay outline during the editing process.

Is there a specific type of formatting when creating an essay outline?

This is another somewhat subjective question. While some teachers may have certain requirements (such as typeface or file type), others could provide you with a considerable degree of latitude. However, formatting will often make the content easier to follow during the creation process. Examples include different font sizes and boldface headings.

Is an essay outline absolutely necessary?

In rare cases, an outline might not be warranted. This is sometimes the case when referring to papers that are less than one page in length. However, more in-depth projects should always be associated with a pre-formatted essay outline. This approach will help to avoid confusion while ensuring that the project is written in the correct manner.

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience.

External Media

Individual Privacy Preferences

Cookie Details Privacy Policy Imprint

Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to whole categories or display further information and select certain cookies.

Accept all Save

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.

Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If External Media cookies are accepted, access to those contents no longer requires manual consent.

Compare And Contrast Essay

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline

Learn How to Create a Compare and Contrast Essay Outline - With Examples & Tips

11 min read

What is a Compare and Contrast Essay Outline?

An outline for a compare and contrast essay aims to organize all the information in a readable manner. It's a roadmap that lays out how you organize and present your ideas.

Here are the main goals of an outline:

Clarity and Organization: An outline helps you organize your thoughts and ideas in a clear and structured manner. It ensures that all the ideas are presented in a systematic way.
Efficiency: Creating an outline streamlines the writing process. It saves you time by providing a clear direction. It keeps the writer focused on developing the main argument and supporting evidence.
Prevention of Overlooking Key Points: With a well-constructed outline, you're less likely to overlook essential points. It serves as a checklist for your essay, ensuring that it is comprehensive and balanced.

Two Types of Compare & Contrast Essay Structure

Before we dive into the outlining steps, you should know about the two main organizing strategies for this type of essay:

Point-by-Point Structure (or organization by criteria)
Block Method (or organization by item)

Each approach offers unique advantages and is suited to different writing situations. Let's explore these two structures in detail.

Point-by-Point Structure

The point-by-point structure involves comparing and contrasting specific aspects of your chosen subjects.

For instance, when comparing two car models point-by-point, you can first compare and discuss their fuel efficiency, then interior space, and finally compare and contrast their tech features.

This way, you proceed by covering each aspect at a time. Here is what this structure looks like:

Block Method

The block method, also known as organization by item, offers a different approach to structuring your compare and contrast essay.

In this structure, you present all the information about one subject before moving on to the other, and finally compare and evaluate the subjects in the last paragraph before the conclusion.

This straightforward approach is particularly useful when your subjects have few similarities and differences. Here’s an example of a block method compare and contrast:

Now that you know about the two types of compare and contrast outlines, let’s move on to how to craft them.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Compare & Contrast Outline

Creating a compare and contrast essay outline may seem like a complex task, but fear not! Following these simple steps below will make outlining easier and smoother.

Step 1: Choose Your Subjects & Gather Information

Step 2: identify key points of comparison, step 3: develop a thesis statement.

Step 4: Organize Your Outline

Let’s get into each of these steps:

The first and most crucial step is to select the subjects or topics you'll be comparing and contrasting. Make sure that your subjects are related and offer meaningful comparisons.

Determine the purpose of your essay. Are you aiming to persuade, inform, or simply analyze? Understanding your purpose will help you gather relevant information about your subjects and shape your thesis statement.

Looking for topic ideas? Find 100+ compare and contrast essay topics to write about.

Consider the aspects or criteria you'll use to compare and contrast your subjects. These will become the basis for your body paragraphs. Common approaches include similarities and differences in structure, content, historical context, or impact of your chosen subjects.

Your thesis statement is the heart of your essay. It should concisely state the main point or argument of your essay and provide a roadmap for what your readers can expect. Make sure it reflects the essence of your comparison.

Step 4: Organize Your Outline

Now, it's time to create the actual outline structure. There are three components of an essay outline:

Introduction
The main body

Start with the basic framework:

Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction

An essay introduction aims to present your compare and contrast subjects and provide some context.

In the introduction part of your outline, you should add the following:

Hook Statement - A hook is the opening sentence of your essay that aims to catch the readers’ attention. Depending on the topic, choose a catchy statement for your introduction to make it interesting for the readers.
Points about Significance/Context - To make your essay introduction strong and engaging, add the points about the context or significance of the topic to your outline.
Thesis Statement - A thesis statement is the writer’s main argument about the topic.

Compare and Contrast Essay Body Paragraphs

Before outlining your body paragraphs, choose one of the two structures described above. That is, choose whether you want to write your essay in a point-by-point structure or by the block method.

Here’s what to add to your body paragraph outline if it follows a point by point organization:

If you’re using the block method, here’s what your body paragraph outline should include:

Conclusion

In your outline for the conclusion, you should include the following components:

Restate the Thesis: Reiterate your thesis statement, emphasizing the main argument of your essay. This reinforces the central message you want your readers to take away.
Summarized Points: Summarize the points you made in the body paragraphs.
Final Insight or Observation: Add a final insight, observation, or thought to end the conclusion. This could be a reflection on the significance of your comparisons, a call to action, or a broader perspective on the topic.

Starting with gathering information and ending with a complete outline, these 4 easy steps will let you have a great start.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Examples

Here are some outline examples that will make it easy for you to understand the process described above. Check them out to see what your final outlines should look like.

5 Paragraph Compare And Contrast Essay Outline Example

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline Middle School

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline 5th Grade

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline 6th Grade

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline High School

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline Point By Point

Compare And Contrast Essay Outline Block Method

Oedipus and Hamlet Compare And Contrast Essay Outline

Argumentative Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

Want to read complete essays instead? Check out our blog on compare and contrast essay examples to read expertly written samples!

Tips for Making Better Compare and Contrast Outlines

Creating a compare and contrast essay outline is a crucial step in the essay-writing process. With the right tips, you can make your outlines more effective and efficient.

Here are some valuable tips to help you craft better compare and contrast outlines:

Clarify Your Purpose: Before you start outlining, ensure you have a clear understanding of the purpose of your essay. Are you aiming to inform or analyze and evaluate? Your outline should align with your essay's objectives.
Choose the Right Structure: Select the structure (point-by-point or block method) that best suits your subjects and the nature of your comparison. Some topics may work better with one method over the other.
Be Consistent: Maintain consistency in your outline. Use the same format for each body paragraph, making it easier for you to stay organized and for your readers to follow your argument.
Prioritize Key Points: Not all comparisons and contrasts are of equal importance. Focus on the most significant aspects to avoid overwhelming your essay with minor details.
Balance Similarities and Differences: Ensure your outline includes a balanced mix of similarities and differences. This balance contributes to a well-rounded and persuasive essay.
Review and Revise: After creating your initial outline, take a step back and review it critically. Does it effectively convey your ideas? Are there any redundancies or gaps in your comparisons? Make revisions as needed.
Stay Focused: It's easy to get sidetracked when comparing and contrasting. Stick to your chosen criteria and avoid going off-topic in your outline.
Use Clear Language: Keep your outline concise and use clear, straightforward language. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences that could confuse your readers.
Seek Feedback: If possible, share your outline with a peer or instructor for feedback. They can offer valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

To Conclude,

Crafting a well-structured compare and contrast essay outline is a skill that can elevate your essays. We've explored the purpose, components, and step-by-step process for creating effective outlines. You’re now equipped to shape your ideas, organize your arguments, and guide your readers through compelling comparisons and contrasts.

Remember, outlining isn't just a preliminary step; it's your blueprint for essay excellence. So utilize the steps and tips you learned above to craft excellent comparison essays!

Still, if you are looking for expert guidance and custom-written essays, MyPerfectWords.com is here for you. Just request us to “do my essay” and our professional writers will provide tailored essays within your deadline.

So let our online essay service ease your essay burden - Contact Now!

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Calculators
Swot Analysis
Pestle Analysis
Five Forces Analysis
Organizational Structure
Copywriting
Research Topics
Student Resources

Services We Provide

Resources We Provide

Login / Register

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
How to Write an Essay Outline: Full Guide With Examples

Compare and contrast essay outline toolkit.

How to write an outline for an Compare and contrast essay

Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like

Introduction.

Introduce the significance of ancient Greek and Roman architecture in shaping Western architectural traditions
Provide a brief overview of the key features of both architectural styles

While both ancient Greek and Roman architectural styles have made significant contributions to the field, they exhibit distinct differences in terms of design, purpose, and cultural influences.

Architectural Design and Characteristics

Discuss the architectural design principles of ancient Greek buildings, including columns, symmetry, and proportions.
Analyze the distinctive features of Roman architecture, such as the use of arches, domes, and concrete
Compare and contrast the design elements of Greek and Roman structures.

Architectural Purpose and Function

Explore the primary purposes of ancient Greek architecture, including temples, theaters, and public buildings
Examine the diverse functions of Roman architecture, encompassing aqueducts, arenas, and public baths.
Compare and contrast the intended functions and uses of Greek and Roman architectural achievements.

Cultural Influences and Symbolism

Investigate the cultural influences that shaped Greek architectural styles, including religion, philosophy, and mythology.
Analyze the cultural influences on Roman architecture, such as engineering prowess and imperialism.
Reiterate the thesis statement, emphasizing the distinct differences between ancient Greek and Roman architectural styles
Summarize the key points presented in the essay.

This is what your outline will look like

Firstly, the essay will discuss the architectural design and characteristics of both by analyzing the distinctive features and comparing and contrasting design elements of both structures. Secondly, the essay will shed light on the respective purposes and diverse functions of both architectures and compare and contrast them. Lastly, the essay will investigate the cultural influences and symbolism of each style, by stating its religion, philosophy, and mythology.

How to write an outline for an Compare and Contrast essay

1. identify the topic.

The first crucial step in crafting an effective outline for your compare and contrast essay is to clearly identify and define the topic you will be exploring. This initial stage is essential for providing your readers with a clear understanding of what to expect in your essay.

If you are writing an essay on historical architectural styles, your topic can be “A Comparison of Ancient Greek and Roman Architectural Styles”

2. Define the objective

Once you have your topic in mind, the next step is to define the objective of your essay. In a compare and contrast essay, the objective is to examine the nuanced differences or perhaps discover unexpected similarities between the two subjects of comparison.

If your objective is to provide a comparison of both architectural styles, you can state, “The aim of the essay is to examine the similarities and differences in Greek and Roman architectural styles.”

3. Craft the thesis

The thesis statement is the core element of your outline, serving as the central argument that will drive your essay. In a compare and contrast essay, the thesis statement introduces readers to the outcome of your comparison and the significance of the contrast.

Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “While both ancient Greek and Roman architectural styles have made significant contributions to the field, they exhibit distinct differences in terms of design, purpose, and cultural influences..""

4. Main points

Now, let's structure your outline by outlining the key components. A compare and contrast essay can follow either a block structure or a point-by-point structure, both of which have distinct advantages depending on your chosen topics.

The main points for your essay could be

5. Sub-points

After introducing the main points, the next step is to provide in-depth elaboration on each of these points, backed by relevant examples and evidence. In this section, you will explicitly outline the specific aspects you plan to discuss and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments.

Examine the emotional appeals used in the speech to evoke empathy and solidarity among the audience
Reflect on how the rainforest's biodiversity impacted your perspective

All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.

6. Evidence and citations

In any academic essay, citing sources and providing proper attribution is essential. Make sure to clearly outline the sources from which you will be citing information, quotes, and data that support your arguments.

You can cite historical papers that define each style, also you can also mention research papers that define the characteristics of certain designs.

7. Introduction and hook

Your introduction is your chance to captivate the reader's attention and spark their interest in your essay. A well-crafted hook can be an unexpected fact, a dispelled misconception, or a surprising statistic that piques the reader's curiosity.

You can start the introduction with an unexpected fact to create a hook like “Did you know the Dome of Pantheon in Rome is still the world's largest unsupported concrete dome”. Then continue to introduce both architectural styles and provide an overview of their features.

8. Conclusion

After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. You should conclude the compare and contrast essay with a paragraph stating the points discussed and also sharing your opinion so your readers can have something to think about after they finish reading.

In the conclusion, you will Reiterate the thesis statement, emphasizing the distinct differences between ancient Greek and Roman architectural styles, and then summarize key points you made in the essay.

9. Transitions

Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. Comparison and contrast transitions are generally used to show a similarity or difference in these types of essays.

In your compare and contrast essay, you can use words like “even so”, “conversely”, etc. to transition from one concept, idea, or sentence to another.

10. Refine and review

Finally, before you begin writing your essay, take a moment to revisit and review your outline. Ensure that it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions to ensure that each point flows logically, and all the required information is included while avoiding the addition of unnecessary points.

Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points.

IMAGES

What is the Difference Between Topic Outline and Sentence Outline
Compare And Contrast Essay Outline Mla
How to Write an Argumentative Essay Step By Step
How to Write a Good Outline for Your Essay on Trust My Paper
How to Write an Essay Outline: Complete Guidance with Example
How to Write an Essay Outline: Complete Guide and Samples

VIDEO

How to write an outline? CSS-PMS Essay-1
Components of essay
How to outline for an essay
Essay
Difference between Article and Essay
How To Improve Essay Writing? #essaywriting #englishgrammar #cssessay #cssessaytips #cssprepration

COMMENTS

How to Write an Essay Outline
An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph, giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold. You'll sometimes be asked to submit an essay outline as a separate assignment before you ...
How to Write an Essay Outline
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.
Types of Outlines
Alphanumeric Outlines. This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order: Roman Numerals. Capitalized Letters. Arabic Numerals. Lowercase Letters. If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and ...
The Writing Center
Outlining is a tool we use in the writing process to help organize our ideas, visualize our paper's potential structure, and to further flesh out and develop points. It allows the writer to understand how he or she will connect information to support the thesis statement and the claims of the paper. An outline provides the writer with a space ...
Outlining
Making a detailed outline before you begin writing is a good way to make sure your ideas come across in a clear and logical order. A good outline will also save you time in the revision process, reducing the possibility that your ideas will need to be rearranged once you've written them. The First Steps. Before you can begin outlining, you need ...
How to Write an Outline for an Essay
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. ‍.
How to Write an Essay Outline: 5 Examples & Free Template
3. Expository essay outline. An expository essay outline requires you to provide a detailed overview of a subject from all angles. It is used to test your knowledge of a particular subject. The purpose of this essay outline is to inform, explain, or describe a topic or idea, rather than to persuade the reader or share personal opinions.
How to Write an Essay Outline
Why it's worth writing an outline. How to outline a paper. 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. An example.
How to Structure an Essay
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
Outlining
Outlining your first draft by listing each paragraph's topic sentence can be an easy way to ensure that each of your paragraphs is serving a specific purpose in your paper. You may find opportunities to combine or eliminate potential paragraphs when outlining—first drafts often contain repetitive ideas or sections that stall, rather than ...
6.18: Moving From Outline to Draft
Step 4: Construct your paragraphs. Next, start at the beginning of your outline and go through point by point. Start to put your sentences together into paragraphs. You may need to add transition phrases or even extra sentences to make sure your prose flows naturally.
Essay Outline ~ Definition & Step-By-Step Guide
A properly formatted essay outline can make all the difference in the world between authoritative research and a poorly written presentation. It plays an important role when structuring academic essays, as it functions as a tool for organizing thoughts and depicting ideas coherently. In this article, we will provide insights into the fundamentals of creating an essay outline in 4 steps and ...
Crafting Compare and Contrast Essay Outline: An Easy Guide
Creating a compare and contrast essay outline is a crucial step in the essay-writing process. With the right tips, you can make your outlines more effective and efficient. ... Balance Similarities and Differences: Ensure your outline includes a balanced mix of similarities and differences. This balance contributes to a well-rounded and ...
The Four Main Types of Essay
An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays. Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and ...
How to write an outline for a compare and contrast essay
Example. Step I. Identify the Topic. The first step in creating an outline for a compare and contrast essay is to identify the topic you will be writing on, this would involve clearly stating what the essay is going to be about. This would provide your reader with an idea of what to expect in the essay. If you are writing an essay on historical ...
How to Write a Compare & Contrast Essay
Follow these essential steps to write an effective compare and contrast essay: Choose what two subjects to compare and contrast. Brainstorm similarities and differences between the two subjects. Develop a thesis statement and write an introduction. Write an analysis, using the block method or the point-by-point method.
Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay
In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you're comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you've already said about the first. Your text is structured like this: Subject 1.
Describe vs Outline: Which Should You Use In Writing?
Using "Describe" Instead Of "Outline". One common mistake is using "describe" when you actually mean "outline.". The two terms may seem similar, but they have distinct meanings. To describe something means to provide a detailed account of it, while to outline something means to provide a general overview or summary.