template essay writing

Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 10, 2023

A Complete Essay Outline - Guidelines and Format

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 15, 2019

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

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

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

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

So, let’s get started!

On this Page

What is an Essay Outline?

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

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

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

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

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

Easily Outline Your Essays In Seconds!

Prewriting Process of Essay Outline

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

Here are the guidelines:

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

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

People Also Read

• expository essay outline
• essay writing skills
• illustration essay topics
• informative essay topics
• how to start an essay

Burdened With Assignments?

Advertisement

• Homework Services: Essay Topics Generator

© 2024 - All rights reserved

• Essay Guides
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Outline: How to Write It & Templates for Different Types
• Speech Topics
• Essay Topics
• Other Essays
• Main Academic Essays
• Research Paper Topics
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Research Paper Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Essay Outline: How to Write It & Templates for Different Types

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

An essay outline is a plan  that helps you organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing your essay. A well-constructed outline can help you ensure that your essay is structured logically and includes all of the necessary information.

Today, we will learn everything about essay outlines. Academic writing is challenging enough. So we would really want to ease the overall process and ensure that you’re prepared to write the best essay possible. Are you confused about how to structure your paper? Do you not understand the difference between different types of articles? The answers to all of those questions and even more points will be covered here. So stick around and get all the information you can possibly need!

What Is an Outline for an Essay?

What is an essay outline? It is a good question, and we are excited to answer it. In simple terms, it is how your essay will be structured and what things it might feature. You can include the following items in your structure:

• Your general topic
• Thesis statement
• A number of paragraphs
• Topic and concluding sentences for each paragraph
• Resources or evidence used in your body paragraphs.

Trust us, following this list and ideas will save you a lot of time and help you in crafting a very good article.

Why Do You Need an Outline of an Essay?

Outline for an essay is crucial for several reasons. So here’s a quick list of why you’re writing and why research requires a good  essay structure example . It helps you:  

• Develop a logical and well-thought-out piece.
• Convince your readers that you’re making a valid point.
• Save some time.
• Don’t get lost in all the evidence and ideas you have for your paper.
• Consider purchasing a college essay for sale in case this is too difficult.

Basic Outline for an Essay: Template

For starters, we wanted to give you an essay outline template. It is an effective way to make sure you have all the required points of a good article. By keeping everything organized, you will get our highest mark and develop a believable  argument . But, of course, here is the template and enumeration of all the sections you need:  

• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary or so-called synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

How to Write an Essay Outline

How to write an outline for an essay? That's a $1 million question that we will answer today. You should understand from the very beginning that writing or mapping out your structure will take some time. But don't let this fact discourage you because it will be worth it in the end. However, we have also prepared several tips for you in order to ease the process even more:

• Research a topic before you actually start writing.
• Consider a type of article you're writing and pick an appropriate structure.
• Start outlining from the very beginning.
• Write down your thesis and make sure it is bulletproof.
• Provide some evidence you will use to support your argument.

Essay Outline Template

Our outline for the essay template will differ depending on the type of essay you will be writing. Interestingly enough, there are many types of academic essays you can consider. You can write an argumentative, persuasive one or a common narrative, or even an expository essay. As a result, choosing a relevant outline and structure will help you to distinguish our mentioned types and nail the one you’ve picked. Professional essay writers at StudyCrumb might help you with that.  

Persuasive Essay Outline

We will start with how to write a  persuasive essay outline  and the similar one is an  argumentative essay outline . You can find the structure itself down below. But we wanted to remind you of several things. Students often forget to cite their sources. So it is rather a good idea to include not only the evidence but citations and sources when outlining.  

• Catchy hook to engage your reader
• Background information  on your topic
• Thesis statement (mention all points that will be discussed in body paragraphs)
• Paragraph 1 with supporting evidence proving your point (+Topic Sentence)
• Paragraph 2 with evidence proving your point (+Topic Sentence)
• Paragraph 3 with evidence proving your point (+Topic Sentence)
• Rephrase a thesis statement
• Conclude all points leaving a final impression

Narrative Essay Outline

We also know how to write a narrative essay outline . This type of article tries to tell a story, and that is why it is called narrative. Our best stories will have a rising action, climax, and a falling action. But to time everything perfectly and make sure your readers are at the address of the receipt, outlining is your best friend. Besides, not to forget the information you wanted to include, our structure below will help you write a very good narrative article.

• Scene setting
• Mentioning your purpose of writing
• Rising action
• Climax (some epic event)
• Falling action (conflict resolution)
• Moral of your story or possible lessons

Expository Essay Outline

An expository essay outline is very close to our previous options. It includes the same points. So you also start with an introduction, follow with three body paragraphs and finalize everything with a conclusion. Trust us: the process of writing will be much easier with such structure. Hence, our key for a good essay is right here:  

• Topic background
• Topic sentence
• Supporting explanation
• Supporting example that backs up your topic sentence and explanation
• Summarizing or concluding statement
• Rephrase your thesis
• Summarize and connect your key points
• Leave a final impression with recommendations

Informative Essay Outline

Outline for an informative essay follows an already well-known structure. Don’t forget that your body paragraphs should have lots of details and relevant information. Each claim must be supported. Therefore, every article has a specific order that cannot be broken. If you don’t follow the structure, your argument may not be as strong as the ones following the given order.

• Topic background (general information)
• Supporting pieces of evidence
• Transition and concluding statement
• Leave a final impression with recommendations or future developments

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

Compare and contrast essay outline  will definitely be useful. A lot of colleges and schools like this type of essay because this is a good practice of analytical skills. It is natural because you have a lot of information and evidence. Besides, you're comparing different items, and tracking them might be a challenge for everyone. Out of all essays, this one, above all, needs a good structure. So make sure you understand the difference between your subjects, include evidence, and focus on your thesis statement:  

• Topic sentence 1
• Subject 1: Detail 1
• Subject 2: Detail 1

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

Your rhetorical analysis essay outline is our last one, so we hope you’re happy. Just like you always do, include evidence to support your argument and do research before the actual writing. In our rhetorical analysis, you have to highlight the strategies and approaches the author used in their text. Therefore, the good idea is to use quotations from the text.

• General information
• Used rhetorical strategies
• How well the strategy works in this example? Provide quotes from the text
• Reasons behind picking these approaches and not any other

Outline Example for Essay

So far, we have told you about the stages you should follow to make up a plan for your future essay. It is more convenient to have an outline essay example in front. This will help to create an effective plan and then compile a really good writing piece based on it. The main thing is to include as much information as possible into your plan; our outline template for essay will help you with this task. Don't forget to  buy essay now if you're still not sure whether you'll be doing this task. 

Final Thoughts on Writing an Essay Outline

Awesome job because now you know  how to quickly write an essay outline. A quick reminder before we wrap this up. You create an outline or write down the structure to keep track of all the information. Don’t forget that different types of academic papers and articles require their respective structures. So save this guide in order not to lose them.  

You can always rely on our essay writing service. Backed by unrivalled experience, our writer will be happy to provide you with the fantastic result in a timely manner.  

FAQ About Outline for Essay

1. what is the topic outline.

An essay topic outline is a process of arranging your ideas. This structure can show you the higher key or gradation of your main points. Therefore, you have your main point or argument and several sub-points. It is up to you to arrange them in order of importance and highlight the most crucial ones.

2. How long is an outline for an essay?

An outline for the essay doesn’t really have a fixed length. In many cases, you’ll be the only one who sees the structure. But if your research paper is around 15 or 20 pages, then your structure should be no longer than several pages. Normally, one or two pages are quite enough to include everything you need.

3. What are the disadvantages of outlining methods?

Outlining method for essays definitely has some disadvantages. So here’s a quick list for you to remember:

• It takes time to write down and organize your structure.
• It requires more thought and accuracy than common outlining.
• It is challenging to find a format that will show all your details, including the relationships between your variables and points.

4. How do you capitalize an outline?

An essay outline also has its own format. In case you’re using a topic outline, you should capitalize only the first letter of the word that opens your heading. Of course, proper nouns are also capitalized. Finally, we don’t use complete sentences, so end punctuation is unnecessary.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

You may also like

• Translators
• Graphic Designers

Please enter the email address you used for your account. Your sign in information will be sent to your email address after it has been verified.

4 Essay Outline Templates That Will Simplify Your Writing Process

Have you ever put together a piece of furniture (or maybe stood by and watched someone else do it)? The task was made a lot easier thanks to the instructions that came in the box. The piece of furniture didn't exactly build itself just because it came with instructions, but without these instructions the task would be nearly impossible to complete.

You can think of an outline for your essay kind of like a set of instructions. Although you still have to put in quite a bit of effort while you're building/writing it, the instructions will help guide you through the entire process so that you don't have to go in there completely blind.

An essay outline is especially helpful for those who are novice writers, but even the old pros use outlines. The prolific William Faulkner was known to use an outline, and he wrote a timeline out for his novel A Fable on his office walls , which can be still seen on display at his home Rowan Oak in Oxford, Mississippi. Now we're not advocating for anyone to write on their walls (sorry to all the moms out there!), but his method was effective because he was able to visualize his timeline and organize his writing around it.

When you are assigned an essay, you might be tempted to wait until the last minute and just write something out really quickly. But without a concrete plan or knowing what it is that you're going to say, you might find yourself hovering over a computer with a blank page and a blinking cursor in the middle of the night. Nobody wants to be in that position, so let's aim to plan ahead, shall we?

Why you should use an outline for everything you write

Have you ever heard the phrase "great ideas take time"? No amazing writer in the history of the universe just started typing one day and then had his or her writing magically turned into a book. Great writing requires great planning. Even if a writer didn't physically write down her timeline, she had a general idea of what she was going to write about before she started typing. Of course, there is such a thing as being inspired and acting on that inspiration (but let's be honest, your history essay isn't probably going to spark that kind of creativity in you).

So, because we are writing a very structured piece with a somewhat predictable layout, it's always best to use an outline. After you do your required research for your topic, an outline will help you to keep all of the points you want to make organized so that you don't skip any important pieces of information and so you can stay on track.

How do you write an outline?

The beauty of an outline is that no one will be seeing your outline — unless, of course, your teacher is making you turn it in beforehand so that he or she can review it before you turn in your paper. However, even if your teacher is reviewing the outline before you turn in your essay, it's doubtful that he or she will grade too harshly on how you organize your thoughts. The main idea is that your teacher wants to see that you're putting in some thought before you write the essay.

Because there's not as much pressure to make an outline sound "nice" and be grammatically correct, you can get out your thoughts quicker and easier. You can use a piece of scratch paper for an outline and just jot down a few points or you can get really intricate by creating a writing outline on the computer. Whatever way you want to write your outline is fine — just make sure you're doing it. Generally, in an outline you will need to have an idea of what your thesis statement will be, how your body paragraphs will support your thesis statement, and how you are going to wrap everything up in a conclusion at the end.

Still a little unsure of how to start? We've provided some examples below of what an outline will look like for a few different types of essays. Remember that these outlines are just samples. They aren't necessarily something set in stone that you can't adapt for your particular assignment or idea.

The argumentative essay

The argumentative essay is as old as writing is. The idea of an argumentative is — you guessed it — to establish an argument and provide evidence of why your claim is correct . You will collect evidence in defense of your argument and evaluate it.

Here is a sample of what an argumentative essay outline might look like:

• General background information about your topic
• Thesis statement
• Supporting fact
• Your response to this claim
• Reiterate arguments made in thesis statement
• Why this essay matters (ideas for future research, why it's especially relevant now, possible applications, etc.)

Expository essay outline

Expository essays often get confused with argumentative essays, but the main difference is that the writer's opinions and emotions are completely left out of an expository essay. The objective of an expository essay is to investigate a topic and present an argument in an unbiased way, but to still arrive at a conclusion. Because of this subtle difference, it's important to have a solid outline to get you started on your writing.

• The presentation of the topic
• Your thesis statement
• Supporting evidence
• Transition sentence
• Reiterate the points with an overview of the main points you discussed throughout the paper.
• Offer solutions, insight into why this topic matters, and what future topics could be expanded upon in a future paper.

Reflective essay outline

Reflective papers are a fun exercise where you get to write about a particular experience in your life and to discuss what lessons you learned from it. First-person essays are a really popular genre right now and are designed to make people from all different backgrounds reflect on a common human experience like receiving your first kiss, failing at something, or triumphing over obstacles. Because reflective essays are a little bit less rigid writing than a traditional classroom essay, the structure is definitely not set in stone. Feel free to play around with what makes sense for your particular story and experience.

• A really great hook that will have the audience want to keep reading on (an example from the great writer David Sedaris , I always told myself that when I hit fifty I was going to discover opera, not just casually but full force: studying the composers, learning Italian, maybe even buying a cape.
• A brief little tease of what the story is going to be about. You'll probably need one to two sentences tops.
• What happened initially?
• Who were the key players?
• What obstacle did you have to overcome?
• Describe the obstacle/problem in more detail
• What role did the key players have?
• What happened at the end?
• Was everything tied up neatly or not?
• Summary of the events
• What lesson did you learn? Or, maybe, what was the lesson you learned much later on in life?

Compare and contrast essay outline

We compare and contrast things all the time in "real" life. We analyze what kind of healthcare plan we want, what major to pick, what phone we want, what career we want to pursue, etc. Having the skills to analyze two (or more) items and discovering what the facts are about them so that you can make an educated decision on which to pick are pretty crucial.

A compare and contrast essay gives us the building blocks to understand how to make these decisions with real-life applications — and they can be pretty fun too. Although these compare and contrast essays don't have as complicated of a structure as an expository or an argumentative essay, it's still important to plan out how you're going to tackle this type of essay. Here's an idea of what a compare and contrast outline might look like:

• A brief introduction to the topic and what Point A and Point B are
• Your thesis statement (which will contain some sort of equivalence or dissonance between Point A and Point B)
• Claim 1 about Point A
• Claim 2 about Point A
• Claim 3 about Point A
• Claim 1 about Point B
• Claim 2 about Point B
• Claim 3 about Point B
• What is similar between these two points?
• What is dissimilar?
• What comparisons can be made?
• What conclusions can we draw about comparing these two points?
• Any further research required or suggested for the future?
• Is there a third thing that we should be comparing these two points to?

Need help with your outline?

If after reviewing these guidelines or examining these sample outlines you're still a little bit unsure about how to incorporate an outline into your particular essay, be sure to ask your instructor for more guidance.

And, if you need another pair of eyes to look over your paper after it's been written, be sure to check out the services of our professional editors. Our expert editors can help you to polish up your paper, ensure that all of your citations have been made according to the style guide, and give you direction if the essay needs to be revised or rearranged in any way.

Related Posts

How Confounding Variables Skew Insight

How to Write an Efficient and Effective Research Paper Abstract

• Academic Writing Advice
• All Blog Posts
• Writing Advice
• Admissions Writing Advice
• Book Writing Advice
• Short Story Advice
• Employment Writing Advice
• Business Writing Advice
• Web Content Advice
• Article Writing Advice
• Magazine Writing Advice
• Grammar Advice
• Dialect Advice
• Editing Advice
• Freelance Advice
• Legal Writing Advice
• Poetry Advice
• Graphic Design Advice
• Logo Design Advice
• Translation Advice
• Blog Reviews
• Short Story Award Winners
• Scholarship Winners

Need an academic editor before submitting your work?

PTE Essay Writing: Templates, Topics, Proven Tips & More

Posted on 07/08/2023 by Moni PTE Magic

Not all students are born with the ability to write persuasively and logically in all topic types. That is why you need to equip yourself with PTE essay templates to stay on track and earn the best score on your writing test.

PTE essay templates are a concise yet effective tool for unleashing the full potential of your ideas and presenting them with utmost clarity and precision.

Without any further ado! We will delve into five ready-made PTE essay templates with proven tips and samples to help you produce well-organized and compelling essays.

We have compiled the most up-to-date PTE essay writing templates tested in multiple PTE tests. Therefore, you can be confident to memorize them for a full score.

(Read our Vietnamese version here )

• Most up-to-date PTE mock tests to help you get 79+ scores!
• Pearson PTE test – the only guide you need to read

PTE essay writing overview & scoring guidelines

Before moving to detailed PTE essay writing templates, let’s understand this writing task first!

PTE essay writing overview

Writing an essay is the second task of the PTE writing task . This task assesses test-takers’ ability to produce a written response in an academic context.

Test takers have 20 minutes to complete the essay. During this time, they need to plan their response, organize their ideas, and write a well-structured essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

PTE scoring guidelines

The PTE Essay has partial credit scoring. There is no credit for no answer or an irrelevant one. This question type does not affect your reading, listening, and speaking scores.

Pearson will evaluate and score your essay through seven factors , including

Content gets a score based on how you solve every aspect of the given topic. You will not earn points if your essay fails to address the topic.

• Development, structure, and coherence

These factors are graded based on how you develop and organize your ideas.

A well-developed PTE essay should have an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion relevant to the topic with details, examples, and explanations. You should express ideas clearly, logically, and smoothly between paragraphs.

PTE essay has a word limit of 200 to 300 words. Writing fewer than 200 or more than 300 words will lower your score. You will receive a zero if you write fewer than 120 or more than 380 words.

• General linguistics

This criterion focuses on clear and straightforward communication. You should highlight the main points and creatively implement ideas. You can get a maximum of points for general linguistics if your essay accurately expresses your views.

• Grammar usage

Grammar is scored by evaluating sentence structure, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and prepositions, punctuations, the use of capital letters, and more.

PTE assesses how well you use a variety of words and phrases in your essay to explain your views appropriately and concisely.

PTE assesses your ability to spell common words correctly. PTE Academic accepts English spelling conventions from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

The table below will help you better understand how the PTE algorithm assesses your essay using the above scoring parameters.

• PTE study and preparation tips for maximizing your scores

PTE essay writing template 

Before diving into each topic type, first memorize the following PTE essay template:

Introduction template

• Give some background information about the topic (one sentence).
• Paraphrase the question. This means you repeat the essay question in your own words (one sentence).
• Present your argument. Write out what you will argue about and which side you will choose (one sentence).

Body template

This part consists of two paragraphs following the same template. Furthermore, you can add a counterargument paragraph to acknowledge and address opposing viewpoints or arguments to the one presented in the essay.

Paragraph 1:

• Explain the first key idea.
• Present supporting ideas for what you’ve discussed above
• Give an example/evidence/data/research to support this
• Conclude the paragraph

Paragraph 2:

• Follow the same approach as paragraph 1. But you have to express the second idea in this paragraph.

Conclusion template

The conclusion provides a summary of your response.

• Summarize two main ideas discussed in paragraphs 1 and 2, and restate your argument from the introduction.
• Give your personal opinion.

PTE Universal  Essay Template

Introduction

Currently, there is a heated debate among people about _____. Although it can be asserted that _____, I believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. In this essay, I will explain my point of view by analyzing both sides of the argument.

Body Paragraph 1

There are a number of reasons why_____. One of them is that _____. It can equally be claimed that______. It should also be noted that______.

Body Paragraph 2

Those who argue for_____take a different stance, claiming that it can be advantageous. Firstly, it is said that______. Then, there are concerns about_____.

While there are strong arguments on both sides of the debate, my personal view is______. I would highly recommend that_____.

5 topic types with sample essays

You may encounter the following five essay topic type s in the PTE Writing section:

Agree or disagree

You must either agree or disagree with the point of view in the topic question. Support your point of view using explanations and/or examples from your personal experience or observations.

Sample Agree or Disagree Essay Question:

“The majority of television news being reported is bad news: wars, famines, accidents and crime. Some people think that television news should be a mixture of good and bad news.

Choose whether you agree or disagree with this statement and discuss why you chose that position.”

Essay Template:

Introduction:

The media plays a part in how we receive knowledge and information from all across the world. Some people believe that the news we watch should include both negative and positive current events. In this essay, I will argue that a balance of good and bad news is the best solution for us.

Body Paragraph 1:

As human beings, we seek a good view of ourselves in the media. We need to observe examples of good human behavior so that we can emulate it to align with our values and beliefs. For example, witnessing humans treat each other with respect and kindness can result in an audience acting on these positive concepts. By sharing encouraging stories, we may help to develop a more resilient and strong society.

Body Paragraph 2:

Bad news often serves as a record of the violent and harmful actions and behavior happening throughout the world on a minute-by-minute basis. It is a true depiction of how humans treat one another, and watching it on the news warns us about the risks that many people are facing every day. For example, ongoing conflicts, political instability, diseases, and climate change are all continuous. If we want to address these challenges, we must constantly remind ourselves of their existence.

Conclusion:

This essay has argued that while a real portrayal of today’s news is vital to remind us daily of the never-ending issues that many humans confront, showing instances of helpful solutions may more effectively drive a positive change in our society. To be more reflective of current events and successful in shaping society, I believe that the balance of television news should be good rather than bad. 

Discuss two opinions

You have to discuss two sides of the argument in body paragraphs 1 and 2. Finally, state which one is the best in the conclusion. Write on both sides to gain as many points as possible.

Sample Discuss Two Opinions Essay Question:

“Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.”

Essay Template :

Many people recall feeling very restricted as teenagers, and that becoming an adult generally meant being happier than they were. However, it seems that those same people frequently yearn to return to their childhood as soon as they encounter the pressures of maturity. This shift in attitudes may start a debate about which age groups are the happiest.

It is possible to make a convincing argument that children and teens are the most joyful and delighted groups of people. Indeed, one may argue that children hold no or little responsibility for their activities. As a result, the young can engage in whatever activity they want, unless it is immediately dangerous. In addition, young people have more leisure time and make more friends than adults. Thus, their life may be full of easygoing fun with their peers, leading to high levels of happiness.

Body Paragraph 2 (Viewpoint 2 – Enhanced social interactions):

On the other side, other people claim that the older they become, the more satisfaction they get out of life. In my opinion, this viewpoint is also fairly reasonable. Becoming an adult often involves enjoying the freedom of choice and action that the younger generation does not have. This independence, when combined with experience and a deep awareness of one’s own interests and motivations, can lead to highly satisfying and meaningful lives, complete with excellent careers, interesting hobbies, and loving families.

In conclusion, I would say that both periods of life have their joys and sorrows and how happy people of different ages feel greatly depends on each individual. Still, think that life can and should be enjoyed at any age.

Causes and Effects

You have to analyze the reasons behind a particular phenomenon or event (causes) and discuss the consequences or outcomes resulting from those causes (effects).

Sample Causes and Effects Essay Question:

“Young people in the modern world seem to have more power and influence than any previous young generation. Why is this the case? What impact does this have on the relationship between old and young people?”

In the last few decades, the nature of young people has shifted dramatically. The naive and vulnerable youth of the past have become stronger and more independent in recent years much to the chagrin of the elders.

The root cause for this development is the tremendous rise of communication. Most young people nowadays have access to internet, smartphones, computers and televisions. As a result, they learn a lot about the world at a young age. Additionally, the availability of education and career options has given them financial and intellectual independence. While it was formerly unusual for children to spend time away from home for school or work, it is now an expected component of every child’s life.

However, it has been noticed that today’s youth are being criticized for being increasingly lazy and rude. However, a close study would show that this charge is false. Previously, children were completely reliant on their parents until they reached middle age, and adults had the last word in all matters. However, financial freedom and world knowledge have enabled young people to make intelligent and autonomous judgments, which frequently contradict the traditional views of the older generation.

In conclusion, it seems that shifts in young people are inescapable as a result of developments in lifestyle and technology. To adapt to changing situations, one must adjust oneself. What is required is improved communication between the old and young generations.

Problems and Solutions

You have to discuss a specific problem or issue and propose effective solutions to address it.

Sample Problems and Solutions Essay Question:

“The issue of unemployment among young people is a growing concern. Discuss the problems stemming from youth unemployment and propose effective solutions.”

The Earth is changing at a tremendous pace, which has physical and emotional consequences for us. Everyone needs a healthy atmosphere to be healthy and strong. Our Mother Earth is in jeopardy due to natural disasters. Today, we must take careful look at some of the most pressing environmental difficulties we are facing, as well as the answers to these problems.

Human activities are causing an alarming increase in environmental damage. There are several environmental issues that demand immediate action. Global warming, overcrowding, pollution of air, water, and soil, depletion of natural resources, deforestation, waste disposal, melting polar ice caps, genetic engineering, increasing sea levels, and a variety of other issues are wreaking havoc on our ecosystem.

The government, organizations, and individuals must work together to eliminate the risks to our society before it is too late. Every individual can consume less power by turning off lights when they are not in use or by switching to use LED bulbs. Multinational corporations perceive forests as a chance to make a lot of money by selling lumber while neglecting the long-term detrimental consequences. The government should enact strict regulations requiring businesses to follow such criteria, as well as educate the public about the dangers of environmental change. It should be underlined that it is everyone’s obligation to safeguard our environment.

Different environmental protective actions should be carried out across the world, and here is how little acts joined together may play a huge part in saving our planet. As a result, let us work together to ensure a clean environment for ourselves and future generations through the concept of sustainable development.

Advantages and Disadvantages

You have to discuss the positive aspects and negative aspects of a specific subject or issue.

Sample Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Question:

“In some countries, people are forced to retire when they reach a certain age. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.”

In certain nations, persons who reach retirement age are required to leave their jobs. This phenomenon has both beneficial and bad consequences, which will be discussed in this essay.

The main purpose of such a government policy is stringent regulation of human workforce’s productivity and performance. It comes to reason that older personnel will take more time to complete their tasks. Moreover, it is typically safer to keep younger staff members at employment where health and focus are essential. For example, work at the conveyor commonly necessitates quick reactions, strong eyesight, and physical stamina, all of which humans tend to lose over time. If companies did not require the elderly to retire, the chance of working accidents related to human factors would remain rather high.

Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages of renewable energy sources):

On the other hand, employers frequently underestimate the talents, expertise, and potential of experienced professionals who have retired, even if they may still be valuable and have a professional flare. They may offer guidance on specific issues that they have dealt with for the majority of their life. An excellent example of this statement would be medical practitioners, whose expertise is clearly more important than rookie trainees.

In conclusion, forced retirement is reasonable in terms of workplace safety and successful completion of assigned responsibilities. However, this policy ignores the benefits of retaining experienced staff, such as utilizing their knowledge and skills in complex situations that require in-depth research and ingenuity.

PTE essay writing tips

Memorizing PTE essay templates may not be enough without applying some of the following practical writing tips to maximize your score:

• Read the given subject carefully and identify the topic type. Avoid focusing on one point so much and losing sight of the big picture.
• Always plan and outline your essay before writing.
• Stay on track to address the essay prompt and avoid going off-topic or providing irrelevant information.
• Ensure you write formally and academically, avoiding colloquial language or slang.
• Avoid using pointers or bullet points.
• Write in short, concise paragraphs.
• Avoid using too complicated vocabulary. Keep it simple.
• Do not repeat the same point again and again.
• Enhance your academic vocabulary. Try to use synonyms to diversify your language.
• Always leave time to proofread your essay and make any necessary improvements. Look for errors in grammar, spelling, and coherence.

A sample list of PTE essay topics

Practice time! We’ve gathered a sample topic list for each PTE essay type.

Agree or disagree essay topics

• Online education is as effective as traditional classroom learning. Discuss your opinion on this statement.
• The government should provide financial incentives to encourage the use of electric vehicles. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Advertising aimed at children should be banned. Discuss your opinion on adopting the
• The benefits of space exploration outweigh the costs. Do you agree or disagree?
• Plastic bags should be banned to protect the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Discuss two opinions essay topics

• Using animals in entertainment, such as circuses and theme parks, has divided opinions. Discuss the ethical considerations and arguments for and against using animals for entertainment.
• The increasing popularity of remote work has raised debates about its long-term effects on productivity and work-life balance. Discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of remote work arrangements.
• Online shopping has revolutionized the retail industry but it also poses challenges for traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Discuss the impact of online shopping on physical retail stores and consumer behavior.
• The impact of globalization on cultural diversity is a topic of discussion. Discuss globalization’s positive and negative effects of globalization on cultural identity and traditions.
• The use of smartphones in schools has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of allowing students to use smartphones in educational settings.

Causes and Effects essay topics

• Analyze the causes and effects of increasing rates of divorce in modern society.
• Discuss the causes and effects of climate change and its impact on the environment and human life.
• Examine the causes and effects of high levels of unemployment in a specific country or region.
• Explore the causes and effects of the opioid epidemic in certain communities.
• Discuss the causes and effects of the declining bee population and its implications on the ecosystem and agriculture.

Problems and Solutions essay topics

• Discuss the problem of plastic pollution in oceans and propose effective solutions to mitigate its impact on marine life and the environment.
• Analyze the increasing traffic congestion problem in urban areas and suggest practical solutions to alleviate the issue.
• Examine the problem of cyberbullying among young people and propose measures to address and prevent online harassment.
• Discuss the problem of food waste in households and restaurants and propose strategies to reduce food wastage and promote food sustainability.
• Analyze the problem of lack of access to clean drinking water in certain regions and suggest solutions to improve water availability and quality.

Advantages and Disadvantages essay topics

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using renewable energy sources to combat climate change.
• Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of social media in today’s society.
• Examine the benefits and drawbacks of online education compared to traditional classroom learning.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering in agriculture.
• Analyze the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries and its impact on employment.

Mastering PTE essay templates provides a solid foundation for achieving success in the PTE writing section. Thanks to these efficient templates, you can effectively structure your essays, showcase your language proficiency, and express your ideas with clarity and coherence.

Have you memorized the essay templates yet? If yes, it’s time to test with our list of sample topics. Contact us if you need extra PTE practice tests to enhance your overall performance

Moni PTE Magic

My name is Moni, and I am a seasoned PTE teacher with over 6 years of experience. I have helped thousands of students overcome their struggles and achieve their desired scores. My passion for teaching and dedication to my student’s success drives me to continually improve my teaching methods and provide the best possible support. Join me on this journey toward PTE success!

More from PTE Magic

PTE Requirements For Canada PR: Things You Need to Know

Are you looking for a reliable language test widely accepted in Canada? Do you want to take a test that comprehensively assesses your English proficiency in four parts? Then the Pearson PTE Academic test is a good candidate. This article by PTE Magic will provide some basic information about the current status of this exam […]

PTE Exam Fees In India For Registration And Cancellation

A high score in a PTE exam can open up many opportunities to study and work in an English-speaking country. However, the test may not be as popular as other examinations in India. So, many people don’t know about the cost. Don’t worry, this article by PTE Magic will answer all PTE exam fees in […]

PTE Scores For 189 Visas: What’s the Minimum Requirement?

Are you a skilled worker who is invited to reside in Australia? If so, you must gain the 189 visa. However, getting this visa is difficult, with several requirements, one of which relates to the PTE score. So, what PTE score for 189 visas should you get? This article by PTE Magic will present a […]

PTE Core vs PTE Academic Format & Scores For Canada PR

The PTE Core, approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a digital English language proficiency test, includes four sections: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. This is a forced test that helps to check the English level of Canadian immigration applicants. In this article, PTE Magic will share with you all useful information […]

PTE For Australia: Fees, PR PTE Scores, Test Centers & More

The Australian Government accepts PTE Academic as proof of English language proficiency for visa applications. Up to the present, there are a total of 40 universities across the country that recognize the PTE scores. If you want to get a student or work visa, your minimum PTE score must be 50. The PTE for Australia […]

PTE Exam In Singapore: Fees, Test Centers, And More

Like other developed countries, Singapore also accepts PTE as documentary proof of one’s English proficiency. So, many test centers are established across the country, allowing its citizens to sit the exam more conveniently. If you are about to take PTE Singapore, read this post by PTE Magic before registering for any exam! Related: PTE exam […]

Recent Posts

Getting Started

How To Use Magic Platform

Privacy Policy

Payment & Refund Policy

PTE Practice Test Resources

PTE Practice Test

News & Updates

PTE Speaking

PTE Reading

PTE Listening

PTE Writing

Copyright © 2024 PTE MAGIC

Free All-in-One Office Suite with PDF Editor

Edit Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE.

Read, edit, and convert PDFs with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface, easy to use.

Windows • MacOS • Linux • iOS • Android

Select areas that need to improve

• Didn't match my interface
• Too technical or incomprehensible
• Incorrect operation instructions
• Incomplete instructions on this function

Fields marked * are required please

Please leave your suggestions below

• Quick Tutorials
• Practical Skills

How to Double Space in Word for Your Essay: A Guide for Students

If you are a student working on an important essay, you would know how crucial formatting truly is, as a significant grade can be impacted by it if you don't comply with the formatting guidelines. Even if you weren't mindful of it before, you should prioritize it now. Many colleges require essays to be submitted in MLA or APA format, which necessitates double spacing among other specifications. In this article, we will explore the major formatting styles and explain how to double space in Word for your essay to ensure your formatting adheres to the standards.

Double-Space in APA and MLA Format

Double spacing is a requirement for both APA and MLA formats, the two most popular styles used for essays in academic writing . Here's why:

Improved Readability : Double spacing creates a clear visual distinction between lines of text, making your essay easier to read and follow.

Facilitates Editing and Feedback : Instructors (and you!) can easily add comments or edits between lines without overcrowding the document.

Standardization : Double spacing ensures consistency across different essays and disciplines, allowing for a professional appearance.

WPS Office: Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

Examples of Double Spacing in APA and MLA Formats:

Here are some examples of double spacing in APA and MLA formats:

APA Formatting Guide:

The entire document is double-spaced.

The margins are one inch on all sides.

Each paragraph in the body text starts with a hanging indent (the first line remains flush left, while subsequent lines are indented half an inch).

The title is centered at the top of the page, followed by your name and institution information centered below.

The font is 12-point throughout.

Page numbers appear in the upper right corner of each page.

MLA Formatting Guide:

Each paragraph in the body text starts with a half-inch indent.

The title is centered at the top of the page, followed by your name, instructor's name, course name, and date (all left-aligned in a block format).

The font is Times New Roman 12-point throughout.

There are no page numbers on the first page, but subsequent pages have page numbers placed in the upper right corner.

Preparing Double Spacing in Word Before You Start Writing Your Essay

There are specific formatting standards that students are generally required to follow when submitting their essays, one of which includes double-spacing in Word. As I will demonstrate to you on how to do double spacing in Word you will learn to maintain consistent formatting throughout your document.

I'll demonstrate using WPS Office because it is a free suite and ultimately the best option for students. It's compatible with all Word document versions and can even convert your papers to PDF without losing formatting, allowing you to follow along regardless of whether you are using Windows, Mac, or Android.

Using the Home ribbon

Let's take a look at the first method, which is available in the home tab and is relatively quicker to perform.

Step 1 : Open WPS Office on your system. Remember, WPS Office is available for both MAC and Windows, making it an easier option to work with.

Step 2 : Now, let's create a new document. Click on "New" in the left panel.

Step 3 : Next, click on "Docs" located in the left panel, followed by "Blank", to create a new blank document on WPS Office.

Step 4 : You will now have a fresh new document open on WPS Writer. To format our document to double space, click on "Home" in the ribbon menu.

Step 5 : Next, click on the "Line Spacing" icon, which is a double arrow with horizontal lines.

Step 6 : Now, the line spacing option is available in the drop-down menu. Click on "2.0" to set the line spacing as double.

And that's it! Your new document has now been formatted for both your APA style essays or MLA style. Using WPS Office has its benefits. It provides software compatible for both Mac and Windows, which reduces the likelihood of glitches or crashes compared to Microsoft Word, which is not compatible with MacOS.

Additionally, it allows users to save their files on the cloud. So, if you need to make changes to your document on the go, they are easily available. Plus, if you need to work on the go, you might be using your handheld device, and luckily, WPS Office is available on both Android and iOS for free.

Using the Context menu

The second option involves opening a few other dialog boxes, but the special feature of this method is that if you're formatting your document from scratch, you can also format indentation or alignment using the same steps.

Step 1 : So, we have our new blank document open in WPS Office, currently formatted with single spacing.

Step 2 : Let's right-click anywhere on the document to open the context menu, and then click on "Paragraph".

Step 3 : Now, we have the Paragraph dialog open. Go to the "Line spacing" field and change the Line spacing to "Double".

Step 4 : To exit the paragraph settings, click on "OK" to return to your document and start working on your essay.

How to Double-Space in Word for Your Written Essay

You've completed your essay but can't seem to find how to double space it? Often, when students try to double space using any method, only the current paragraph where their cursor is located gets double spaced, and it's due to a simple error. So let's see how to double space in Word in a written essay.

Since we are using WPS Office to demonstrate the steps, it would be wise to download and perform these steps on WPS Office to ensure that there is no confusion or error.

Step 1 : So, first of all, we'll open our written essay in WPS Office. To do this, simply open WPS Office and click on "Docs" in the left panel.

Step 2 : Now, click on "Open" and browse for your written essay document. Whether you've created your document in a writing software like MS Word, it will open in WPS Office because it is compatible with all document formats.

Step 3 : Once the document is open, you need to press the "Ctrl + A" shortcut key to ensure that the entire document is selected.

Step 4 : Now, simply click on the "Home" tab and head over to the "Line Spacing" option in the home ribbon.

Step 5 : Since we need our document to be double spaced, we will click on "2.0" to change our line spacing to double-space.

Step 6 : Make sure to save your document either by using the shortcut key; "Ctrl + S", or by visiting the Menu option in the top left corner and clicking on "Save" to save your work.

As a student, it's important to understand these small details while formatting documents because essays and assignments are crucial. Having an easy-to-use writing software like WPS Office can make a whole world of difference.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

Shortcuts for Double Spacing in Word

How to Double-Space in Word: Keyboard Shortcuts

While there are several ways to double-space your text in Word, keyboard shortcuts offer a quick and efficient method. Here are the shortcuts for both Windows and Mac users:

Windows : Press Ctrl + 2.

Mac : Press Command + 2.

Bonus Tip: How to Convert Word to PDF Without Losing Formatting

WPS Office is an exceptional office suite, offering everything from word processing to presentations and spreadsheets. It's particularly beneficial for students, providing them with the tools they need to create documents effortlessly, which they can then use for their academic pursuits. Committed to delivering an optimal experience for students, WPS Office is not only free but also user-friendly, making it a preferred choice. It's also incredibly lightweight, requiring minimal storage space.

Formatting essays can often be a hassle, especially when converting them to Word, where formatting is frequently lost. However, WPS Office addresses this issue with its robust PDF features, seamlessly converting essays into PDF format with ease. With WPS Office, students across all disciplines can streamline their academic tasks and enhance their productivity.

Here is how students can convert their written essays or any document to PDF using WPS Office, without the need for any additional software:

Step 1 : Open your document in WPS Office and go to the Menu button in the top left corner of the screen.

Step 2 : Hover over or click on the "Save as" option and then select "More formats" in the flyout menu.

Step 3 : Now, with the Save as dialog open, go to the "File Type" field and select .PDF as the file format.

Step 4 : Students can change the name of their file in the "File Name" field and then hit "Save" to save their document as a PDF.

FAQs about Double Spacing in Word

1. how to change the line spacing to single in word.

Following these simple steps will help you change the line spacing to single in Microsoft Word:

Step 1 : Let's open the document in Microsoft Word in which we need to change the line spacing.

Step 2 : If you have already worked on your document and need to change its formatting, it's important to first select all the contents of the document. To select everything in the document, simply use the "CTRL + A" shortcut key.

Step 3 : Now, to change the line spacing, click on the "Home" tab on the Microsoft Word ribbon.

Step 4 : In the Home ribbon, find the "Paragraph" section. This is where the "Line and Paragraph Spacing" icon is located, so click on it.

Step 5 : A drop-down menu will open. To set your document to single spacing, click on the "1.0" option, and your document will be formatted according to single spacing.

2. Should I double space the entire essay?

Yes, according to APA guidelines (2020), double spacing is recommended for the entire paper, encompassing the title page, abstract, main text, headings, block quotes, reference list, table and figure annotations, and appendices. Nonetheless, this guideline doesn't apply to the table body and figure imagery, footnotes, and presented mathematical expressions.

3. Are university essays typically double spaced?

Yes, university essays often use double spacing. However, it’s essential to follow your professor’s guidelines. They usually specify formatting preferences, including spacing and font choices. Always review instructions carefully to ensure your work aligns with the required standards.

Word is a great tool for writing your student assignments , but students' efficiency and easy to use tools at hand ultimately get great grades. For instance it is quite a hassle learning how to double space in Word for your essay. WPS Office delivers all of that with its Writer tool and integrated PDF tool.

Here, you can edit and print with ease, not to mention the formatting is completely easy to manage. Not to mention, the formatting is perfectly preserved when converting to PDF or sharing the file. Download WPS Office today to experience hassle-free formatting so you can focus more on your work and less on formatting!

• 1. Top 10 Best Introduce Yourself Essay Sample Words
• 2. How to remove space in Excel before text
• 3. how to set up double sided printing in word ?
• 4. How to create space in a formula in WPS Office Excel
• 5. How to replace "space” with "paragraph mark”
• 6. How to Reduce Space Between Words in WPS Writer (Step-by-Step)

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Academic writing

Free, Downloadable Educational Templates for Students

Published on June 16, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 23, 2023.

We have designed several free templates to help you get started on a variety of academic topics. These range from formatting your thesis   or   dissertation to writing a table of contents or a list of abbreviations .

We also have templates for various citation styles , including APA (6 and 7), MLA , and Chicago .

The templates are loosely grouped by topic below.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Chicago and chicago turabian, structuring your document, applying to college, formatting your front matter, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about scribbr templates.

• General formatting: Word | Google Docs
• APA 6th: Word
• APA 7th: Word | Google Doc

Check for common mistakes

Use the best grammar checker available to check for common mistakes in your text.

Fix mistakes for free

• General formatting: Word | Google Doc
• Citations: Word
• Works Cited: Word | Google Doc
• Header: Word | Google Doc
• Title: Word | Google Doc
• Author-date style
• Notes and bibliography style
• Research proposal outline: Word
• Research schedule template: Word
• Literature review outline: Word | Google Doc
• Evaluating your sources for a literature review: Word | Google Doc
• Dissertation or thesis outline: Word | Google Doc

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing - try for free!

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Try for free

• Scholarship essay tracker: Google Sheet
• Writing a résumé: Research program option | Professional program option
• College application tracker: Google Sheet
• Figure and table lists: Word
• List of abbreviations: Word | Google Doc
• Acknowledgments: Word | Google Doc
• Glossary: Word | Google Doc

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

Yes! We’re happy for educators to use our content, and we’ve even adapted some of our articles into ready-made lecture slides and templates .

You are free to display, distribute, and adapt Scribbr materials in your classes or upload them in private learning environments like Blackboard. This applies to articles, videos, images, and any other content published on the Knowledge Base. Video transcripts and subtitles can be accessed on YouTube. Please credit Scribbr for creating any materials you use in your teaching.

You may not republish, adapt, or translate our materials for public distribution without permission. If you have ideas for adapting Scribbr content, email [email protected] .

The Scribbr Knowledge Base is a collection of free resources to help you succeed in academic research, writing, and citation. Every week, we publish helpful step-by-step guides, clear examples, simple templates, engaging videos, and more.

The Knowledge Base is for students at all levels. Whether you’re writing your first essay , working on your bachelor’s or master’s thesis , or getting to grips with your PhD dissertation , we’ve got you covered.

We’re always striving to improve the Knowledge Base. If you have an idea for a topic we should cover, or you notice a mistake in any of our articles, let us know by emailing [email protected] .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, July 23). Free, Downloadable Educational Templates for Students. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/free-educational-templates/

Is this article helpful?

Tegan George

Other students also liked, free, downloadable lecture slides for educators and students, academic writing checklists | free & interactive, proofreading rates | a guide for freelance editors, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts