Creating a plan is an essential part of writing a strong essay. Developing an essay structure with an outline helps you organize your main ideas, supporting points, and the overall flow of your argument or analysis. While there is no single correct way to make an essay plan, crafting a preliminary blueprint allows you to visualize how all the components will fit together before putting words on the page.
Some common essay plan examples and templates include the following basic structures:
Paragraph Outline
One of the simplest yet effective essay planning methods is creating a basic paragraph outline. With this approach, you would list the topic sentence and main point of each body paragraph. For example:
Introduction
Thesis statement: Main argument or analysis to be addressed in the essay
Paragraph 1
Topic sentence: First main point or area of analysis
Supporting details/evidence
Paragraph 2
Topic sentence: Second main point or area of analysis
Supporting details/evidence
Paragraph 3
Topic sentence: Third main point or area of analysis
Supporting details/evidence
Conclusion
Restate thesis
Summarize main points
Concluding remarks
By outlining each body paragraph in this manner, you can ensure all elements of your thesis are adequately covered and the essay flows in a logical progression from introduction to conclusion. This basic plan helps structure your writing process before fleshing out complete paragraphs.
Point-Evidence-Analysis Paragraph Structure
For analytical essays that require supporting claims with evidence, utilizing a point-evidence-analysis (PEA) paragraph structure in your plan can be beneficial. With this approach, each body paragraph follows this three-part formula:
Point – State the main argument or claim being made in the paragraph.
Evidence – Insert a quote, fact, or example from research to back up the point.
Analysis – Explain the significance of the evidence and how it relates to and supports the overall thesis.
When planning essays with this structure, outline each body paragraph with its point, the evidence that will be used, and a brief analysis. This helps confirm you have substantial support and commentary for all key arguments before drafting. An example PEA outline may look like:
Paragraph 1
Point: Women face discrimination in the workplace.
Evidence: Quote from study showing gender pay gap.
Analysis: Will discuss how pay gap demonstrates broader barriers women face.
Paragraph 2
Point: Traditional gender roles negatively impact careers.
Evidence: Example of responsibilities like childcare disproportionately falling to women.
Analysis: Will link traditional roles to discrimination and lack of opportunities.
Paragraph 3
Point: More equitable policies and cultural changes are needed.
Evidence: Legislation and programs in other countries promoting equality.
Analysis: Will argue U.S. should adopt similar approaches.
This template ensures analytical essays are fully supported with evidence that is appropriately analyzed within each paragraph structure.
Thesis Overview Outline
For longer essay assignments with many claims, a more detailed outline breaking down the thesis may prove most beneficial. For a five paragraph essay structure, an outline could overview each paragraph as:
Introduction
Background context
Thesis statement
Paragraph 1: First Main Point
Topic sentence
Supporting point A
Supporting point B
Concluding remarks
Paragraph 2: Second Main Point
Topic sentence
Supporting point C
Supporting point D
Concluding remarks
Paragraph 3: Third Main Point
Topic sentence
Supporting point E
Supporting point F
Concluding remarks
Paragraph 4: Fourth Main Point
Topic sentence
Supporting point G
Supporting point H
Concluding remarks
Conclusion
Restate thesis
Summarize main points
Concluding remarks
This allows for more in-depth planning by breaking down the key elements within each main point of analysis. It ensures sufficient coverage of thesis claims while also maintaining paragraph structure and flow.
The type of outline needed will vary based on essay length, subject matter, and purpose. All share the goal of creating a visual roadmap before putting fingers to keyboard. With a strong plan in place, essay writing becomes a process of filling in details rather than randomly generating ideas. Taking the time to outline establishes organization from the beginning stages of drafting and puts students in a strong position to succeed.