Introduction
An essay writing outline is a helpful tool to organize your main thoughts and supporting ideas before putting them on paper. Outlining helps you structure your essay and decide what information needs to be included in each paragraph. Most teachers require students to turn in an outline as part of the writing process, so getting in the habit of outlining helps you plan and prepare effective academic papers. Here are some useful essay writing outline samples and tips for different types of essays, along with a downloadable outline template for you to customize to fit your needs.
Body Paragraph 1: Expository Essay Outline
An expository essay is an essay that explains or informs the reader about a topic. The following is a sample expository essay outline:
I. Introduction
Hook: A relevant quote, statistic, or scenario to introduce the topic and capture the reader’s interest
Thesis: The focus of your essay stated clearly in one sentence
II. Body Paragraph 1
Topic sentence: The main idea of the paragraph that relates back to your thesis
Supporting detail or example: A fact, an anecdote, a quotation, etc. to back up the topic sentence
Explanation: How this detail proves your topic sentence
Transition: Words (furthermore, moreover, another, etc.) to introduce the next detail
Supporting detail: Another fact or example
Explanation
III. Body Paragraph 2
Repeat structure of above with new topic sentence
IV. Body Paragraph 3
Repeat structure of above with new topic sentence
These body paragraphs will be where you present the facts, opinions, examples, and evidence to prove your thesis
V. Conclusion
Restate thesis
Summarize main points
Conclude essay and leave reader with a final thought
Body Paragraph 2: Argumentative Essay Outline
An argumentative essay requires evidence and reasoning to support the assertion of a thesis. An outline keeps arguments coherent and reasonably addressed. Here is a sample five-paragraph argumentative essay outline:
I. Introduction
Hook: Use a quote, statistic, or story to introduce your topic and get the reader interested
Thesis: Clearly state your claim and its significance to the issue
II. Body Paragraph 1: Main Point 1
Topic Sentence: The first reason or argument in support of your claim
Evidence: Research, quotes, examples, statistics to back up topic sentence
Explanation: How this evidence supports the topic sentence
Transition
Additional Evidence
Explanation
III. Body Paragraph 2: Main Point 2
Repeat structure of above with a new point and its evidence
IV. Body Paragraph 3: Main Point 3
Repeat structure of above with final point
V. Conclusion
Restate thesis
Summarize 3 main points from body paragraphs
Concluding statement that ties all arguments together
Body Paragraph 3: Compare/Contrast Essay Outline
A compare/contrast essay examines how two or more things are similar (comparisons) and different (contrasts). The following outline includes an introduction, three body paragraphs (one per subject), and a conclusion:
I. Introduction
Context for comparison
Thesis: How the two subjects are similar and different
II. Body Paragraph 1: Subject 1
Topic sentence: Introduction of subject
Similarities: Ways it’s similar to subject 2
Differences: Ways it’s different than subject 2
III. Body Paragraph 2: Subject 2
Topic sentence: Introduction of subject
Similarities: Ways it’s similar to subject 1
Differences: Ways it’s different than subject 1
IV. Body Paragraph 3: Additional Comparisons
Additional similarities or differences that weren’t addressed in the other body paragraphs
V. Conclusion
Restate thesis
Summarize how subjects are similar and different
Concluding statement and broader implications
Body Paragraph 4: Cause/Effect Essay Outline
A cause and effect essay explores why something happened (causes) and what resulted (effects). This outline includes an introduction, three body paragraphs (causes/effects), and a conclusion:
I. Introduction
Introductory paragraph with hook
Thesis: What causes and effects will be examined
II. Body Paragraph 1: Cause 1
Topic sentence communicating the first cause
Explain cause and provide evidence
How it leads to the effects
III. Body Paragraph 2: Effect 1
Topic sentence stating the first effect
Explain effect and provide evidence
How it relates back to the causes
IV. Body Paragraph 3: Cause and Effect 2
Repeat structure for a second cause/effect
V. Conclusion
Restate thesis
Summarize causes and effects
Conclude with importance or implications
Conclusion
These sample essay outlines provide guidelines and templates to help students efficiently organize ideas and structure their writing. Making an outline allows writers to visualize the relationships between ideas, structure a coherent argument, and identify any gaps. While outlines don’t have to be rigidly followed, they can serve as a useful blueprint for development. Teachers expect thoughtful organization in student papers, so outlining is a valuable practice for any writing project.