different types of outlines for essays

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

Copyright 2000, David Kornhaber, for the Writing Center at Harvard University

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Four Main Components for Effective Outlines

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Ideally, you should follow the four suggestions presented here to create an effective outline. When creating a topic outline, follow these two rules for capitalization: For first-level heads, present the information using all upper-case letters; and for secondary and tertiary items, use upper and lower-case letters. The examples are taken from the Sample Outline handout.

Parallelism—How do I accomplish this?

Each heading and subheading should preserve parallel structure. If the first heading is a verb, the second heading should be a verb. Example:

• CHOOSE DESIRED COLLEGES
• PREPARE APPLICATION

("Choose" and "Prepare" are both verbs. The present tense of the verb is usually the preferred form for an outline.)

Coordination—How do I accomplish this?

All the information contained in Heading 1 should have the same significance as the information contained in Heading 2. The same goes for the subheadings (which should be less significant than the headings). Example:

• VISIT AND EVALUATE COLLEGE CAMPUSES
• Note important statistics
• Look for interesting classes

(Campus and websites visits are equally significant. They are part of the main tasks you would need to do. Finding statistics and classes found on college websites are parts of the process involved in carrying out the main heading topics.)

Subordination—How do I accomplish this?

The information in the headings should be more general, while the information in the subheadings should be more specific. Example:

• Favorite high school teacher
• Grandparent

(A favorite teacher and grandparent are specific examples from the generalized category of influential people in your life.)

Division—How do I accomplish this?

Each heading should be divided into 2 or more parts. Example:

• List relevant coursework
• List work experience
• List volunteer experience

(The heading "Compile Résumé" is divided into 3 parts.)

Technically, there is no limit to the number of subdivisions for your headings; however, if you seem to have a lot, it may be useful to see if some of the parts can be combined.

• Enroll & Pay
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Degree Programs

Creating a Working Outline

An outline is a systematic way of organizing your ideas for your paper. Any list can be an informal outline and may work for your purposes. Sometimes you may want to use a formal outline to manage your information as your research expands. This can help you organize your information as you draft your paper.

Many writers organize their work more quickly and easily when they first make an outline of the material they wish to cover. Since you already know your main points, the writing goes much faster. Also, outlining helps to discover if you have enough supporting reasons on the topic or evidence to prove a point, so you don’t waste time writing full paragraphs on a topic about which you have little to say.

The organizing principle of your outline will depend on your topic, the argument you intend to make, and the expectations of your audience. There are as many types of outlines as there are writers! Some people work better with longer outlines of complete sentences; others find that simple keywords do the trick. Whether you are developing a topic outline or a sentence outline, keep the following points in mind: 

• Work from your thesis statement. Everything in your essay needs to connect to your thesis, which is the main idea of the essay, so drafting a tentative one first can help unify your points as you start outlining. In fact, it's wise to put it at the top of your outline for reference. However, you will often find that your points change as you start to outline. Just make sure to adjust your thesis to fit with the direction of the rest of your essay. See Thesis Statements for tips on drafting one.
• Most word processing programs will automatically fill in the numbers and letters when they recognize that you are creating an outline.
• Start with broader topics by adding in major points. These can eventually turn into the topic sentences of each paragraph. 
• Then work toward the specifics with supporting details and evidence. Make sure to put the citations for any evidence from sources in the outline too. This will save you a lot of time later and helps to avoid accidentally plagiarizing.  
• Lastly, it may be helpful to include analysis in your outline as well. This means following the evidence with explanations of why it is important or useful to your point. 

You can easily build on your outline to the point where you have full paragraphs. Just remember to take out the outline formatting (numbers and indentation) before submitting a full draft of the essay. 

Sample Outline

An outline of a writing project can serve as a reliable road map to your project’s destination. By outlining your key points, you can ensure that your most important ideas do not get left behind. The following outline structure can be helpful as you develop your individual outlining style. This is a general outline structure. Some types of writing or assignments may require different sections and/or organizations, so check your assignment directions carefully. 

A. Introduction

1. Hook or attention grabber  

2. Introduce Area/Persons of Focus 

3. Provide context, background information, and/or key terms 

4. Thesis statement 

B. Background (optional depending on the type of paper)  

1. Historical Overview

2. Link between history and current events

3. Gaps in the current materials

C. Major Point I: _____________________  

1. Minor point related to Major Point I 

 a. Evidence (Name your sources in your outline!)  b. Analysis of evidence 

2. Minor point II related to Major Point I

 a. Evidence  b. Analysis of evidence

D. Major Point II: ____________________

1. Minor point related to Major Point II 

 a. Evidence   b. Analysis of evidence 

2. Minor point related to Major Point II 

E—G. Other Major Points, following the structure of C and D.

H. Conclusion

1. Restatement of thesis and summary of main points 

2. Connect back to the audience by explaining why they should care 

3. Next steps in the research and literature conversation 

4. Limitations in the research 

5. Final note like a suggestion or prediction 

Outlining is not the only prewriting activity you can try. See the KU Writing Center writing guide on  Prewriting Strategies  for more ideas.  

(Updated July 2022)  

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Introduction

Once you have determined your main points, assemble a working outline. The outline can range from a simple sketch of what you essay will look like to a specific point by point outline complete with topic sentences. The idea is to provide yourself with a visual diagram of where your essay will go. The outline shows the sequence of your essay and the main ideas to keep in mind while writing. Three types of outlines are most commonly used. They are: alphanumeric outline, full sentence outline, and decimal outline. Sample outlines listed below are borrowed from Purdue Ow l site.

Alphanumeric Outline

Full Sentence Outline

Decimal Outline

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• How to Write an Essay Outline: Full Guide With Examples

Table of Contents

Essay outline toolkit, how to write an essay outline, outline for different types of essays.

Well, one thing you need to work on before writing an essay is to set its structure. Once, you are done writing the structure of your essay, writing an outline will become an easier task. In this guide, not only will we explain how to write an outline for an essay but also explain how to create its structure. So let's get started.

Also, are you in a hurry? No worries, we have curated an essay outline toolkit that will help you understand the process of writing an outline for an essay in under 5 mins.

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

Thesis statement: To inform readers about the serious health risks associated with exposure to air pollution, with the goal of raising awareness about the need for stricter environmental regulation.

Introduction

• Add a hook like Imagine taking a deep breath of fresh, clean air. Unfortunately, for millions of people worldwide, this simple pleasure has become a luxury due to the pervasive issue of air pollution.
• Mention how the negative impact of Air pollution on human health is increasing.

The harmful effects of air pollution on the respiratory system underscore the urgent need for comprehensive pollution control measures.

The types and sources of air pollutants

• Explanation of common air pollutants (e.g., particulate matter, volatile organic compounds).
• Examples of industries or activities contributing to air pollution.

Transition phrases - Furthermore, additionally, etc.

The health consequences of exposure to air pollution

• Discuss different Respiratory Health Issues like asthma and its symptoms.
• Discuss Other Different Health issues like heart attacks and their symptoms.

Current environmental policies and their effectiveness in mitigating air pollution

• Discuss about various environmental agencies and organisations along with the standards set and initiatives taken by them.
• Challenges and Effectiveness - Discuss the evolution of policies and technological advancements in the field.
• Reiterate the thesis statement.
• Reinforce the importance of addressing air pollution and its impact on health.
• Recap the types, effects, and mitigation strategies discussed in the essay.

This is what your outline will look like

Firstly, the essay will discuss the types and sources of air pollutants by highlighting industrial and individual activities contributing to air pollution. Secondly, the essay will shed light on the health consequences of air pollution by emphasizing respiratory and other health diseases. Finally, the essay will be concluded by discussing the current environmental policies and their effectiveness in controlling air pollution by checking the standards set by organizations and initiatives taken by agencies.

1. Identify the topic

Identifying your essay's topic is the crucial first step. Begin by asking yourself these questions: Do you have a genuine interest in this topic? Does it resonate with you emotionally or intellectually? Your passion for a topic will fuel your essay.

However, don't rely solely on emotion. Consider these factors:

• Is the topic suitable for your audience?
• What's your purpose for writing about it?
• Can you gain sufficient knowledge in the given time?
• Is the topic neither too broad nor too narrow for the required word count?
• Can you access enough research material?

Additionally, if your chosen topic feels too broad, narrow it down by focusing on a specific aspect or perspective. This ensures better manageability and clarity in your writing.

Imagine your professor asked you to write an article on air pollution, in such case your topic can be “The Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health” This clearly states that your essay will look into the effects of air pollution on human well-being.

2. Define the objective

Once you've chosen your essay topic, the next step is to define your purpose. Majorly, your essay should convey your unique perspective, thoughts, and ideas about the subject. So, Emphasize working with and building upon existing ideas rather than just restating them. Other than that some specific objectives may include:

Narration: This is written for the purpose of sharing personal experiences or goals in a compelpng manner for self-expression.

Persuasion: This is written for the purpose of convincing readers about the argument you agree with through logical reasoning.

Argumentation: This is written for the purpose of taking a clear stance on a topic and supporting it with evidence.

Explanation: This is written for the purpose of providing effective information or descriptions to readers.

The objective of this essay is to inform your readers about the serious health risks associated with exposure to air pollution, with the goal of raising awareness about the need for stricter environmental regulations.

3. Craft the thesis

This step involves stating the core message you aim to convey through your project. In essence, you're crafting a concise and clear statement that summarizes the central argument or theme that your entire work revolves around. Additionally, It's a critical element that ensures your project remains coherent and purposeful, allowing your readers to understand the primary point you're trying to make.

Crafting a thesis statement is a dynamic process. It doesn't happen immediately after reading an assignment. Instead, it involves gathering evidence, organizing it, identifying relationships, and assessing their significance. Only after completing these steps will you arrive at a 'working thesis.' This thesis serves as the cornerstone of your essay, presenting its main idea and argument, which you'll substantiate with evidence. Both your argument and thesis act as guiding forces for your essay's structure, and they may require refinements as your essay evolves.

The thesis statement for your essay could be: "The harmful effects of air pollution on respiratory and other body systems underscore the urgent need for comprehensive pollution control measures."

4. Main points

Now that you have a clear understanding of your essay's purpose and argument, the next crucial step is to construct the foundational main points that will serve as the guiding framework for your essay. This involves delving into each main point and elaborating on the essential information that will form the core of your essay. This structural map helps you organize your thoughts, ideas, and information in a logical sequence, making it easier for both you as the writer and your readers to follow the flow of your project. it helps you ensure that your points are aligned with your thesis statement and are able to explain them.

Also, It is important to ensure that each main idea in your essay is completed within its dedicated body paragraph. Because overloading a single paragraph with multiple concepts can lead to confusion and errors in sentence structure. Moreover, each main point you introduce should directly align with your thesis and provide substantial support for any arguments you propose.

The main points for your essay could be

• The types and sources of air pollutants.
• The health consequences of prolonged exposure to air pollution.
• Current environmental policies and their effectiveness in mitigating air pollution.

5. Sub-points

After outlining the key main points, proceed to introduce the specific subpoints you intend to elaborate on, as well as the supporting evidence such as examples, quotations, statistical data, and more that will strengthen your arguments.

This process will help you dissect each major part into more manageable components, making your project more organized and comprehensible. By defining these sub-points, you provide a roadmap not only for yourself but also for your readers.

6. Evidence and citations

After summarizing the points you intend to discuss and the information you'll be presenting, proceed to cite the evidence, including examples and statistical data, that supports your information. This is where you'll list down the sources from which you'll draw your information, examples, and statistical data.

Listing these sources will help you to make sure that you have a well-structured plan for gathering the necessary information to support your writing. This step will help you stay organized and ensure you don't miss any critical data or overlook important references. Additionally, help in keeping all the information in one place will ease your writing process.

You can cite scientific studies from the World Health Organization (WHO), and provide statistical data on yearly deaths due to air pollution

7. Introduction and hook

After you're done writing an outline for your key content and have identified your information sources, the next step will be to craft an engaging introduction hook tailored to the nature of your essay. A hook is a sentence or phrase designed to captivate and grab the attention of your readers and can take various forms, such as a quotation, statistical data, or an intriguing fact.

Also, you craft the introduction in which your primary objective is to provide essential context and introduce the main idea or thesis statement of your project. This section acts as a guide for your readers, setting the stage by explaining what your project is about and why it matters. For your introduction, state the points you will be mentioning, along with a hook that will be designed to captivate and grab the attention of readers.

You can start the introduction with an anecdote like “Imagine taking a deep breath of fresh, clean air. Unfortunately, for millions of people worldwide, this simple pleasure has become a luxury due to the pervasive issue of air pollution” and then continue to explain the increasingly negative impact of air pollution on human health

8. Conclusion

In this section, you will bring your essay to a close by revisiting your thesis statement and reinforcing the central argument you've presented throughout. Also, you'll summarize the key points made in the essay and conclude with a compelling call to action. This section serves as a final, concise overview, allowing your readers to grasp the main takeaways from your work.

In the conclusion, you will restate the thesis by emphasizing the urgency of addressing air pollution 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 by fostering smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. After completing your outline, it's essential that you identify and incorporate transitions wherever needed to facilitate smooth transitions between sentences, ideas, or topics. Some common types of transitions are listed below

Addition: This is used when multiple ideas are presented that flow in the same direction

Contrast: This is used when a difference in idea or change in the argument is presented

Comparison: This is used when a similarity between ideas that are not under the same heading is presented

Cause and effect: This is used to show that an event or action leads to some result

Summary or conclusion: This is used when we want to signify what follows is summarizing the previous text.

You can use words like “furthermore”, and “consequently” to transition from “types and sources of air pollutants” to “the health consequences of prolonged exposure to air pollution”

10. Refine and review

Lastly, in the final step, you will do a review of your outline to check for any extra elements that may have been unknowingly included. Additionally, ensure that your outline provides a thorough and complete overview of your topic, leaving no important points overlooked.

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

1. Argumentative Essay Outline

An argumentative essay outline have a straightforward structure which makes it easy for readers to follow. The goal of an argumentative essay is to clearly outline a point of view, reasoning, and evidence.

• Argumentative Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Argumentative Essay Structure
• Sample of Argumentative Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for an Argumentative Essay

2. Persuasive Essay Outline

A persuasive essay is used to prove a point of view. For this reason, drafting an outline for a persuasive essay becomes important as it ensures emotional components and helps not to get confused in your supporting proofs.

• Persuasive Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Persuasive Essay Structure
• Sample of Persuasive Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for a Persuasive Essay

3. Informative Essay Outline

An informative essay outline have a straightforward structure which makes it easy for readers to follow. The goal of an informative essay is to clearly outline a piece of information, its reasoning, and evidence.

• Informative Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Informative Essay Structure
• Sample of Informative Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for an Informative Essay

4. Narrative Essay Outline

A narrative essay is a type of essay in which the writer narrates a story. The story could be real, or fictional, and deals with writer’s personal development. An outline of a narrative essay doesn't follow any specific rules.

• Narrative Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Narrative Essay Structure
• Sample of Narrative Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for a Narrative Essayy

5. Rhetorical Essay Outline

A rhetorical analysis essay in an essay type that aims to study how the author persuaded, informed, or entertained the audience. This type of essay analyzes the text in specific terms of rhetoric, breaks them, and examine them individually.

• Rhetorical Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Rhetorical Essay Structure
• Sample of Rhetorical Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for a Rhetorical Essay

6. Compare and Contrast Essay

Compare and contrast essays are academic papers in which a student analyses two or more subjects with each other. The structure mention paragraphs that describe two subjects, and then conduct a final analysis.

• Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Compare and contrast Structure
• Sample of Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for a Compare and Contrast Essay

7. Expository Essay Outline

An expository essay presents information on a topic, it explains a situation, person, idea, etc. An expository essay outline divides each paragraph into components for the purpose of better understanding how information will work together.

• Expository Essay Outline Toolkit
• Sample of Expository Essay Structure
• Sample of Expository Essay Outline
• How to Write an Outline for a Expository Essay

8. 5-paragraph essay outline

An 5-Paragraph Essay outline have a straightforward structure which makes it easy for readers to follow. The goal of an 5-Paragraph Essay is to clearly outline a point of view, reasoning, and evidence.

• 5-Paragraph Outline Toolkit
• Sample of 5-Paragraph Structure
• Sample of 5-Paragraph Outline
• How to Write an Outline for a 5-Paragraph

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How to Write an Essay Outline

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

What Is an Essay Outline?

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

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

How to Write an Outline For an Essay ?

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

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

Outline Writing Tips 

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

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

Struggling with the Outline for your Essay Homework?

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General Essay Outline Format

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

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

How to create an essay outline in MLA and APA styles

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

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

MLA Essay Outline Template

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

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

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

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

APA Essay Outline Template

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

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

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

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

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

Decimal format example:

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

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

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

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

Did you like our inspiring Essay Outline Writing Guide?

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Find your essay outline template by your essay type

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

Argumentative essay outline example

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

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

Expository essay outline example

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

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

Reflective essay outline example

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

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

Compare and contrast essay outline example

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

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

Research essay outline example

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

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

Quick Wrap Up

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

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

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

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

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Writing Center

Writing a formal outline, organizing key points into a clear, logical framework.

Formal outlines are not required by most writing instructors. However, an outline can help writers refine ideas in the prewriting process by organizing key points into a clear, logical framework. They can also help keep you from wandering off-topic. An outline serves as a blueprint of a to-be-finished paper. Most students find that producing a well-organized outline before they begin writing makes it easier to get started.

There are two major types of outlines: topic outlines and sentence outlines.

A topic outline allows writers to organize the topics of a paper quickly without going into details. It may use noun phrases, infinitive phrases, or gerund phrases instead of sentences.

A sentence outline allows writers to crystallize ideas by summarizing a paragraph’s point or a major sub-point in a paragraph in one clear sentence. It also enables the writer to judge the overall organization of their paper in terms of clarity, coherence, and flow.

Visit the following sites for more information and examples:

• Four Main Components for Effective Outlines
• Topic Outline Example

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Structure of an Essay: Outline

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This is an outline of what a five-paragraph essay looks like. To view a “written text” version of a five-paragraph essay/outline, click here: Five Paragraph Essay Sample and Outline.

Introduction

• Introductory statements
• Thesis statement
• Introduce supporting ideas (optional)
• Transition, topic sentence
• Discussion, examples, and analysis
• Conclusion (optional)

III. Conclusion

• Transition, statement reflecting back on thesis
• Restate key points
• Ending statement that provokes thought ( optional)

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12.2 Types of Outlines

Learning objectives.

• Define three types of outlines: working outline, full-sentence outline, and speaking outline.
• Identify the advantages of using notecards to present your speaking outline.

Dave Gray – Blank index card – CC BY 2.0.

When we discuss outlining, we are actually focusing on a series of outlines instead of a single one. Outlines are designed to evolve throughout your speech preparation process, so this section will discuss how you progress from a working outline to a full-sentence outline and, finally, a speaking outline. We will also discuss how using notecards for your speaking outline can be helpful to you as a speaker.

Working Outline

A working outline is an outline you use for developing your speech. It undergoes many changes on its way to completion. This is the outline where you lay out the basic structure of your speech. You must have a general and specific purpose; an introduction, including a grabber; and a concrete, specific thesis statement and preview. You also need three main points, a conclusion, and a list of references.

One strategy for beginning your working outline is to begin by typing in your labels for each of the elements. Later you can fill in the content.

When you look ahead to the full-sentence outline, you will notice that each of the three main points moves from the general to the particular. Specifically, each main point is a claim, followed by particular information that supports that claim so that the audience will perceive its validity. For example, for a speech about coal mining safety, your first main point might focus on the idea that coal mining is a hazardous occupation. You might begin by making a very general claim, such as “Coal mining is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States,” and then become more specific by providing statistics, authoritative quotations, or examples to support your primary claim.

A working outline allows you to work out the kinks in your message. For instance, let’s say you’ve made the claim that coal mining is a hazardous occupation but you cannot find authoritative evidence as support. Now you must reexamine that main point to assess its validity. You might have to change that main point in order to be able to support it. If you do so, however, you must make sure the new main point is a logical part of the thesis statement–three main points–conclusion sequence.

The working outline shouldn’t be thought of a “rough copy,” but as a careful step in the development of your message. It will take time to develop. Here is an example of a working outline:

Name : Anomaly May McGillicuddy

Topic : Smart dust

General Purpose : To inform

Specific Purpose : To inform a group of science students about the potential of smart dust

Main Ideas :

• Smart dust is an assembly of microcomputers.
• Smart dust can be used by the military—no, no—smart dust could be an enormous asset in covert military operations. (That’s better because it is more clear and precise.)
• Smart dust could also have applications to daily life.

Introduction : (Grabber) (fill in later)

(Thesis Statement) Thus far, researchers hypothesize that smart dust could be used for everything from tracking patients in hospitals to early warnings of natural disasters and defending against bioterrorism.

(Preview) Today, I’m going to explain what smart dust is and the various applications smart dust has in the near future. To help us understand the small of it all, we will first examine what smart dust is and how it works. We will then examine some military applications of smart dust. And we will end by discussing some nonmilitary applications of smart dust.

(Transition) (fill in later)

Main Point I : Dr. Kris Pister, a professor in the robotics lab at the University of California at Berkeley, originally conceived the idea of smart dust in 1998 as part of a project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

• (supporting point)

Main Point II : Because smart dust was originally conceptualized under a grant from DARPA, military uses of smart dust have been widely theorized and examined.

Main Point III : According to the smart dust project website, smart dust could quickly become a common part of our daily lives.

Conclusion : (Bring your message “full circle” and create a psychologically satisfying closure.)

This stage of preparation turns out to be a good place to go back and examine whether all the main points are directly related to the thesis statement and to each other. If so, your message has a strong potential for unity of focus. But if the relationship of one of the main points is weak, this is the time to strengthen it. It will be more difficult later for two reasons: first, the sheer amount of text on your pages will make the visual task more difficult, and second, it becomes increasingly difficult to change things in which you have a large investment in time and thought.

You can see that this working outline can lay a strong foundation for the rest of your message. Its organization is visually apparent. Once you are confident in the internal unity of your basic message, you can begin filling in the supporting points in descending detail—that is, from the general (main points) to the particular (supporting points) and then to greater detail. The outline makes it visually apparent where information fits. You only need to assess your supporting points to be sure they’re authoritative and directly relevant to the main points they should support.

Sometimes transitions seem troublesome, and that’s not surprising. We often omit them when we have informal conversations. Our conversation partners understand what we mean because of our gestures and vocal strategies. However, others might not understand what we mean, but think they do, and so we might never know whether they understood us. Even when we include transitions, we don’t generally identify them as transitions. In a speech, however, we need to use effective transitions as a gateway from one main point to the next. The listener needs to know when a speaker is moving from one main point to the next.

In the next type of outline, the full-sentence outline, take a look at the transitions and see how they make the listener aware of the shifting focus to the next main point.

Full-Sentence Outline

Your full-sentence outline should contain full sentences only. There are several reasons why this kind of outline is important. First, you have a full plan of everything you intend to say to your audience, so that you will not have to struggle with wordings or examples. Second, you have a clear idea of how much time it will take to present your speech. Third, it contributes a fundamental ingredient of good preparation, part of your ethical responsibility to your audience. This is how a full-sentence outline looks:

Name: Anomaly May McGillicuddy

Specific Purpose : To inform a group of science students about the potential of smart dust.

• Smart dust could be an enormous asset in covert military operations.

Introduction : (Grabber) In 2002, famed science fiction writer, Michael Crichton, released his book Prey , which was about a swarm of nanomachines that were feeding off living tissue. The nanomachines were solar powered, self-sufficient, and intelligent. Most disturbingly, the nanomachines could work together as a swarm as it took over and killed its prey in its need for new resources. The technology for this level of sophistication in nanotechnology is surprisingly more science fact than science fiction. In 2000, three professors of electrical engineering and computer Science at the University of California at Berkeley, Kahn, Katz, and Pister, hypothesized in the Journal of Communications and Networks that wireless networks of tiny microelectromechanical sensors, or MEMS; robots; or devices could detect phenomena including light, temperature, or vibration. By 2004, Fortune Magazine listed “smart dust” as the first in their “Top 10 Tech Trends to Bet On.”

(Thesis Statement) Thus far researchers hypothesized that smart dust could be used for everything from tracking patients in hospitals to early warnings of natural disasters and as a defense against bioterrorism.

(Transition) To help us understand smart dust, we will begin by first examining what smart dust is.

• According to a 2001 article written by Bret Warneke, Matt Last, Brian Liebowitz, and Kris Pister titled “Smart Dust: Communicating with a Cubic-Millimeter Computer” published in Computer , Pister’s goal was to build a device that contained a built-in sensor, communication device, and a small computer that could be integrated into a cubic millimeter package.

For comparison purposes, Doug Steel, in a 2005 white paper titled “Smart Dust” written for C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, noted that a single grain of rice has a volume of five cubic millimeters.

• Each individual piece of dust, called a mote, would then have the ability to interact with other motes and supercomputers.
• As Steve Lohr wrote in the January 30, 2010, edition of the New York Times in an article titled “Smart Dust? Not Quite, But We’re Getting There,” smart dust could eventually consist of “Tiny digital sensors, strewn around the glove, gathering all sorts of information and communicating with powerful computer networks to monitor, measure, and understand the physical world in new ways.”

(Transition) Now that we’ve examined what smart dust is, let’s switch gears and talk about some of the military applications for smart dust.

• Major Scott Dickson, in a Blue Horizons paper written for the US Air Force Center for Strategy and Technology’s Air War College, sees smart dust as helping the military in battlespace awareness, homeland security, and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) identification.
• Furthermore, Major Dickson also believes it may be possible to create smart dust that has the ability to defeat communications jamming equipment created by foreign governments, which could help the US military not only communicate among itself, but could also increase communications with civilians in military combat zones.
• According to a 2010 article written by Jessica Griggs in new Scientist , one of the first benefits of smart dust could be an early defense warning for space storms and other debris that could be catastrophic.

(Transition) Now that we’ve explored some of the military benefits of smart dust, let’s switch gears and see how smart dust may be able to have an impact on our daily lives.

• Steve Lohr, in his 2010 New York Times article, wrote, “The applications for sensor-based computing, experts say, include buildings that manage their own energy use, bridges that sense motion and metal fatigue to tell engineers they need repairs, cars that track traffic patterns and report potholes, and fruit and vegetable shipments that tell grocers when they ripen and begin to spoil.”
• Theoretically, we could all be injected with smart dust, which relays information to our physicians and detects adverse changes to our body instantly.
• Smart dust could detect the microscopic formations of center cells or alert us when we’ve been infected by a bacterium or virus, which could speed up treatment and prolong all of our lives.

(Transition) Today, we’ve explored what smart dust is, how smart dust could be utilized by the US military, and how smart dust could impact all of our lives in the near future.

Conclusion : While smart dust is quickly transferring from science fiction to science fact, experts agree that the full potential of smart dust will probably not occur until 2025. Smart dust is definitely in our near future, but swarms of smart dust eating people as was depicted in Michael Crichton’s 2002 novel, Prey , isn’t reality. However, as with any technological advance, there are definite ethical considerations and worries related to smart dust. Even Dr. Kris Pister’s smart dust project website admits that as smart dust becomes more readily available, one of the trade-offs will be privacy. Pister responds to these critiques by saying, “As an engineer, or a scientist, or a hair stylist, everyone needs to evaluate what they do in terms of its positive and negative effect. If I thought that the negatives of working on this project were greater than or even comparable to the positives, I wouldn’t be working on it. As it turns out, I think that the potential benefits of this technology far outweigh the risks to personal privacy.”

Crichton, M. (2002). Prey . New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Dickson, S. (2007, April). Enabling battlespace persistent surveillance: the firm, function, and future of smart dust (Blue Horizons Paper, Center for Strategy and Technology, USAF Air War College). Retrieved from USAF Air War College website: http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/cst/bh_dickson.pdf

Griggs, J. (2010, February 6). Smart dust to provide solar early warning defense. New Scientist, 205 (2746), 22.

Kahn, J. M., Katz, R. H., & Pister, K. S. J. (2000). Emerging challenges: Mobile networking for “smart dust.” Journal of Communications and Networks, 2 , 188–196.

Lohr, S. (2010, January 30). Smart dust? Not quite, but we’re getting there. New York Times . Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Pister, K., Kahn, J., & Boser, B. (n.d.). Smart dust: Autonomous sensing and communication at the cubic millimeter. Retrieved from http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/~pister/SmartDust

Steel, D. (2005, March). Smart dust: UH ISRC technology briefing. Retrieved from http://www.uhisrc.com

Vogelstein, F., Boyle, M., Lewis, P., Kirkpatrick, D., Lashinsky, A.,…Chen, C. (2004, February 23). 10 tech trends to bet on. Fortune, 149 (4), 74–88.

Warneke, B., Last, M., Liebowitz, B., & Pister, K. S. J. (2001). Smart dust: Communicating with a cubic millimeter computer. Computer, 31 , 44–51.

When you prepare your full-sentence outline carefully, it may take as much as 1 ½ hours to complete the first part of the outline from your name at the top through the introduction. When you’ve completed that part, take a break and do something else. When you return to the outline, you should be able to complete your draft in another 1 ½ hours. After that, you only need to do a detailed check for completeness, accuracy, relevance, balance, omitted words, and consistency. If you find errors, instead of being frustrated, be glad you can catch these errors before you’re standing up in front of your audience.

You will notice that the various parts of your speech, for instance, the transition and main points, are labeled. There are compelling reasons for these labels. First, as you develop your message, you will sometimes find it necessary to go back and look at your wording in another part of the outline. Your labels help you find particular passages easily. Second, the labels work as a checklist so that you can make sure you’ve included everything you intended to. Third, it helps you prepare your speaking outline.

You’ll also notice the full references at the end of the outline. They match the citations within the outline. Sometimes while preparing a speech, a speaker finds it important to go back to an original source to be sure the message will be accurate. If you type in your references as you develop your speech rather than afterward, they will be a convenience to you if they are complete and accurate.

Don’t think of the references as busywork or drudgery. Although they’re more time consuming than text, they are good practice for the more advanced academic work you will do in the immediate future.

Speaking Outline

Your full-sentence outline prepares you to present a clear and well-organized message, but your speaking outline will include far less detail. Whenever possible, you will use key words and phrases, but in some instances, an extended quotation will need to be fully written on your speaking outline.

Resist the temptation to use your full-sentence outline as your speaking outline. The temptation is real for at least two reasons. First, once you feel that you’ve carefully crafted every sequence of words in your speech, you might not want to sacrifice quality when you shift to vocal presentation. Second, if you feel anxiety about how well you will do in front of an audience, you may want to use your full-sentence outline as a “safety net.” In our experience, however, if you have your full-sentence outline with you, you will end up reading, rather than speaking, to your audience. The subject of reading to your audience will be taken up in Chapter 14 “Delivering the Speech” on speech delivery. For now, it is enough to know you shouldn’t read, but instead, use carefully prepared notecards.

Your speech has five main components: introduction, main point one, main point two, main point three, and the conclusion. Therefore we strongly recommend the use of five notecards: one for each of those five components. There are extenuating circumstances that might call for additional cards, but begin with five cards only.

How will five notecards suffice in helping you produce a complete, rich delivery? Why can’t you use the full-sentence outline you labored so hard to write? First, the presence of your full-sentence outline will make it appear that you don’t know the content of your speech. Second, the temptation to read the speech directly from the full-sentence outline is nearly overwhelming; even if you resist this temptation, you will find yourself struggling to remember the words on the page rather than speaking extemporaneously. Third, sheets of paper are noisier and more awkward than cards. Fourth, it’s easier to lose your place using the full outline. Finally, cards just look better. Carefully prepared cards, together with practice, will help you more than you might think.

Plan to use five cards. Use 4 × 6 cards. The smaller 3 × 5 cards are too small to provide space for a visually organized set of notes. With five cards, you will have one card for the introduction, one card for each of the three main points, and one card for the conclusion. You should number your cards and write on one side only. Numbering is helpful if you happen to drop your cards, and writing on only one side means that the audience is not distracted by your handwritten notes and reminders to yourself while you are speaking. Each card should contain key words and key phrases but not full sentences.

Some speeches will include direct or extended quotations from expert sources. Some of these quotations might be highly technical or difficult to memorize for other reasons, but they must be presented correctly. This is a circumstance in which you could include an extra card in the sequence of notecards. This is the one time you may read fully from a card. If your quotation is important and the exact wording is crucial, your audience will understand that.

How will notecards be sufficient? When they are carefully written, your practice will reveal that they will work. If, during practice, you find that one of your cards doesn’t work well enough, you can rewrite that card.

Using a set of carefully prepared, sparingly worded cards will help you resist the temptation to rely on overhead transparencies or PowerPoint slides to get you through the presentation. Although they will never provide the exact word sequence of your full-sentence outline, they should keep you organized during the speech.

The “trick” to selecting the phrases and quotations for your cards is to identify the labels that will trigger a recall sequence. For instance, if the phrase “more science fact” brings to mind the connection to science fiction and the differences between the real developments and the fictive events of Crichton’s novel Prey , that phrase on your card will support you through a fairly extended part of your introduction.

You must discover what works for you and then select those words that tend to jog your recall. Having identified what works, make a preliminary set of no more than five cards written on one side only, and practice with them. Revise and refine them as you would an outline.

The following is a hypothetical set of cards for the smart dust speech:

Introduction : 2002, Prey , swarm nanomachines feed on living tissue.

Kahn, Katz, and Pister, U C Berkeley engineering and computer sci. profs. hyp.

Microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices could detect light, temp, or vib.

Thesis Statement : Researchers hyp that s.d. could track patients, warn of natural disaster, act as defense against bioterrorism.

Prev .: What smart dust is and how it works, military aps, nonmilitary aps.

Transition : To help understand, first, what smart dust is.

I. Dr. Kris Pister, prof robotics lab UC Berkeley conceived the idea in 1998 in a proj. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

• 2001 article by Bret Warneke et al titled “Smart Dust: Communicating with a Cubic-Millimeter Computer” publ. in Computer , Pister wanted sensors, comm. devices, and computer in a cubic millimeter package.

Doug Steel of CT Bauer College of Bus at Houston noted grain of rice = 5 cm.

• Each mote could interact w/ others.
• (see extended quotation, next card)

Quotation : Steve Lohr, NYT Jan 30 2005, “Smart Dust? Not Quite, but We’re Getting There.” Smart dust could eventually consist of “Tiny digital sensors, strewn around the globe, gathering all sorts of information and communicating with powerful computer networks to monitor, measure, and understand the physical world in new ways.”

II. Orig conceptualized under DARPA, military uses theor. and examined.

Smart Dust website, battlefield surveill., treaty monitor., transp. monitor., + scud hunting.

benefit, surveill.

• Maj. Scott Dickson, Blue Horizons Paper for Ctr for Strat and Tech for USAF air war college, sees s.d. as help for battlespace awareness, homeland security, and WMD ID.
• could also defeat comm. jamming equipt by communicating among itself and w/ civilians in combat zones.
• 2010 article Jessica Griggs New Scientist , early defense, storms and debris.

Transition : Switch gears to daily lives.

III. s.d. project website: s.d. could become common in daily life.

Pasting particles for virtual computer keyboard to inventory control poss.

• Steve Lohr, 2010, NYT, “The applications for sensor-based computing, experts say, include buildings that manage their own energy use, bridges that sense motion and metal fatigue to tell engineers they need repairs, cars that track traffic patterns and report potholes, and fruit and vegetable shipments that tell grocers when they ripen and begin to spoil.”

Medically, accdng to SD project website, help disabled.

• interface w/ computers

injected, cd. relay info to docs and detect body changes instantly

• cancer cells, bacteria or virus, speed up treatment, and so on.

Transition : We expl. What SD is, how SD cd be used military, and how SD cd impact our lives.

Conclusion : Transf fiction to fact, experts agree potential 2025. Michael Crichton’s Prey isn’t reality, but in developing SD as fact, there are ethical considerations. Pister: privacy.

Dr. Kris Pister: “As an engineer, or a scientist, or a hair stylist, everyone needs to evaluate what they do in terms of its positive and negative effect. If I thought that the negatives of working on this project were larger or even comparable to the positives, I wouldn’t be working on it. As it turns out, I think that the potential benefits of this technology far far outweigh the risks to personal privacy.”

Using a set of cards similar to this could help you get through an impressive set of specialized information. But what if you lose your place during a speech? With a set of cards, it will take less time to refind it than with a full-sentence outline. You will not be rustling sheets of paper, and because your cards are written on one side only, you can keep them in order without flipping them back and forth to check both sides.

What if you go blank? Take a few seconds to recall what you’ve said and how it leads to your next points. There may be several seconds of silence in the middle of your speech, and it may seem like minutes to you, but you can regain your footing most easily with a small set of well-prepared cards.

Under no circumstances should you ever attempt to put your entire speech on cards in little tiny writing. You will end up reading a sequence of words to your audience instead of telling them your message.

Key Takeaways

• Working outlines help you with speech logic, development, and planning.
• The full-sentence outline develops the full detail of the message.
• The speaking outline helps you stay organized in front of the audience without reading to them.
• Using notecards for your speaking outline helps with delivery and makes it easier to find information if you lose your place or draw a blank.
• With respect to your speech topic, what words need to be defined?
• Define what you mean by the terms you will use.
• How does your definition compare with those of experts?

Stand up, Speak out Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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• May 20, 2024

What is an Outline in Writing? A Roadmap to Better Content

Julia mccoy.

Creator and Co-founder

Have you ever stared at a blank page, wondering where to start? An outline might just be what you need.

What is an outline in writing?

Think of it as a roadmap guiding you through your thoughts. No more getting lost mid-way or missing key points.

An outline isn’t just some academic chore; it’s the secret sauce behind organized, compelling content that grabs readers’ attention.

Whether you’re drafting a research paper or planning out your next blog post, learning how to write an outline can elevate your work from chaotic to clear-cut brilliance.

Table Of Contents:

What is an outline in writing, types of outlines, when to use writing outlines, proper outline structure and format, how to create an outline, tips for effective outlining, turn your ideas into structured pieces that engage and inform.

An outline organizes your thoughts, main points, and supporting details before you start writing. Think of it as the blueprint for your blog post, essay, term paper, or book.

The purpose of an outline is to organize written ideas about a topic into a logical order. It helps establish a structure for a paper and demonstrates the main argument, main points, and main pieces of evidence before writing.

Outlining is a crucial part of the writing process that can save you time and frustration later on.

Benefits of Outlining

A research paper outline offers several benefits such as helping you organize your thoughts, building your story structure, keeping you on topic, and serving as a blueprint for your paper.

When I first started writing, I thought outlining was a waste of time. I just wanted to dive in and start writing.

But as I took on bigger writing projects, I realized that outlining is one of the most important prewriting techniques. It helps me organize my thoughts, stay focused on my topic sentence, and write more efficiently.

There are different types of outlines you can use depending on your writing project and personal preference.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.

Topic Outlines

Topic outlines present the main points of a paper as single words or short phrases. They provide a quick overview of the main ideas and the planned order in which they will be presented.

Sentence Outlines

Sentence outlines go into more detail than topic outlines. They include full topic sentences for each main point, subpoint, and supporting detail.

This type of outline can help ensure that each point is fully developed before writing begins.

Formal Outlines

Formal outlines follow a specific format example with Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, and lowercase letters to designate the level of importance for each point.

They are often required by instructors and tend to be more detailed than informal outlines.

Informal Outlines

Informal outlines are less rigid in outline format and may use bullet points, dashes, or other symbols to organize ideas. They can be as simple or as detailed as you need, making them a more flexible option for organizing thoughts.

Personally, I prefer using a combination of topic and sentence outlines. I start with a topic outline to get a bird’s eye view of my main points. Then, I flesh it out into a sentence outline to make sure each point is fully developed before I start writing.

Outlines are incredibly versatile tools that can be used for all kinds of writing projects. Here are a few ways how you can use outlines to improve your writing.

I have also included samples created by ChatGPT for each type of outline.

Academic Papers

If you’re writing a research paper, a good outline can help you stay organized and focused.

Start by outlining your introduction, thesis statement, and main points. Then, fill in your supporting details and evidence.

Be sure to include your sources and citations in your outline to save time later on.

Whether you’re writing a persuasive , narrative , or expository essay, an outline can help you organize your thoughts and arguments.

Start with your essay outline including your introduction, thesis statement, and main points. Then, add in your supporting details and evidence.

Blog Posts and Articles

If you’re writing a blog post or article, an outline can help you stay on topic and ensure your writing is clear and concise.

Start with your headline and introduction, then outline your main points and supporting details. Be sure to include any research or examples you want to include.

Check out this comprehensive guide on  how to write an SEO-friendly blog post outline and get your free template.

Outlining is essential for writing a book or novel. A good book outline can help you keep track of your plot, characters, and themes.

Start by outlining your main plot points, then add in your character arcs and subplots.

Be sure to include any research or world-building details you need.

I’ve used outlines for all kinds of writing projects, from blog posts to books. I find that having a clear outline helps me stay focused and avoid writer’s block. It also makes the editing process much easier, since I can see the overall structure of my piece and make changes as needed.

A well-structured outline can make the writing process much smoother. Here are the key components to include in your outline format.

Introduction and Thesis Statement

Start your outline with your introduction and thesis statement. This will help you stay focused on your main point throughout the writing process.

Body Paragraphs

Next, outline your body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one main point or idea, with supporting details and evidence.

Use your major points as headings and your minor points as subheadings or bullet points.

Finally, outline your conclusion. This should tie back to your thesis statement and summarize your main points.

You can also include a call-to-action or final thought.

Now that you know the different types of outlines, let’s dive into how to actually create one.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas

The first step in creating an outline is to brainstorm ideas related to your topic. This can involve listing key points, making a mind map , or using other prewriting techniques to generate content and identify connections between ideas.

Step 2: Organize Your Main Points

Once you have your ideas, it’s time to organize topics into main points that support your thesis or central argument.

These main points will form the backbone of your outline and help you stay on track as you start writing.

Step 3: Arrange Supporting Details

Under each main point, arrange your supporting details and evidence. These might include quotes, examples, statistics, or anecdotes that back up your main points.

Be sure to keep them organized and relevant to each main idea.

Step 4: Finalize The Outline Structure

Once you have your main points and supporting details in place, it’s time to finalize the structure of your outline. This means deciding on the order of your points, making sure each point flows logically into the next, and adjusting your outline structure as needed.

When I plan an outline for a book or long-form blog post, I like to start with a basic structure and then add more detail as I go. I might start with just my main points and then fill in supporting details and evidence later on.

The key is to stay flexible and adapt your outline as your writing evolves.

Outlining is a skill that takes practice to master. Here are a few tips to help you create effective outlines for any writing project.

Focus on the Main Idea

When outlining, focus on your main ideas and points. Don’t get bogged down in minor details or tangents. Stick to the key information that supports your thesis or argument.

Use a Consistent Format

When formatting your outline, use a consistent numbering system or order. For example, you might use Roman numerals for main points, capital letters for subpoints, and numbers for supporting details.

Be sure to indent each level for clarity.

I like to keep my outlines simple and easy to read. I use bullet points for main ideas and supporting details, and I indent each level to show the hierarchy of information.

I also leave plenty of white space so I can jot down notes or make changes as I go.

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Your outline is a guide, not a rigid set of rules. Be willing to adapt and change your outline as you write and revise.

If you find that a certain section isn’t working or that you need to add new information, don’t be afraid to make changes to your outline.

Revise and Refine

Once you have a draft of your outline, take some time to revise and refine it. Look for areas where you can add more detail or clarify your points. Make sure each section flows logically into the next and that your overall structure makes sense.

One tip that has helped me create more effective outlines is to start with a basic structure and then add more detail as I go. For example, I might start with just my main points and then fill in subpoints and supporting details later on. This allows me to focus on the big picture before getting bogged down in the details.

Another tip is to use my outline as a tool for plot clarity and character growth when book outlining. I make sure each scene and chapter has a clear purpose that ties back to my overall content strategy and message.

I hope this guide has helped you understand what is an outline in writing and how to create one for your next content piece.

Remember, outlining is a powerful tool that can save you time and frustration in the long run. So next time you sit down to write, take a few minutes to create an outline first and watch how it reshapes your entire approach to crafting meaningful content.

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• Dec 20, 2022

The Different Types of Outlining

Outlining is a crucial part of the writing and research process, helping writers organize their ideas and structure their work in a logical and coherent manner. Whether you are a student working on a school project or a researcher writing a paper, creating an outline can be a valuable tool for ensuring that your work is well-organized and clearly presented. An outline can be thought of a writing center or skeleton for your paper or book.

Writing a paper or essay can be a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of information to organize and present. Outlines can be a helpful tool for breaking down the writing process into manageable steps and for organizing the information you have gathered.

There are several different approaches to outlining that you can use depending on your needs and preferences. Traditional outlines, such as topic and sentence outlines, use a hierarchical structure with Roman numerals and letters to organize ideas by level of importance. This type of format is often used in academic writing and can be especially useful for long or complex papers.

Faculty members and other instructors may require students to use a specific type of outline when writing papers or completing other assignments. It is important to follow any guidelines provided by your instructor and to make sure that your outline is well-organized and clearly presented.

Outlines can also be a helpful tool for writers who are struggling to get started on a paper or who are having trouble organizing their ideas. By breaking down the writing process into smaller, more manageable steps, outlines can help writers overcome writer's block and improve the overall structure and coherence of their work.

It can be very helpful to outline your work, even if you're just beginning. Not only does it allow you to organize your work, but it can also help you get a clearer picture of your plot or paper and the general direction you want to go in.

In this article, we will explore the different types of outlining and how they can be used effectively for various writing and research projects. Outlining is also a powerful technical for high level project planning. At the end we'll also touch on an outliner software app that can be used to create and share outlines.

What is Outlining?

Outlining in the context of writing a novel or book is a method used to organize the story plot, characters and setting. This is a useful tool in many areas of writing, from nonfiction to fiction. An outline allows you to create a logical order and establish an appealing flow.

If you are writing a book, a good outline should include a few key elements, including a topic sentence, a list of scenes, a list of characters, a plot summary, and research notes. You should also leave room for scene purpose questions, which will reveal how you will use your characters and settings in the story.

If you are writing research paper then before you begin writing you should think about the assertion or conclusion you are working towards and structure your thinking and writing in an appropriate way to convey your case. The main objective is to summarize the most important points, citing relevant sources or quotes to back up your claims. You will likely have many sections.

An outline can be formal or informal. Some writers prefer to work free form, while others are better off with a more structured method. Most word-processing applications are equipped with an outlining feature which can also work as bullet points or in number format.

Types of Outline

There are several types of outlines, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. The outlining process is a valuable pre-writing tool, but a poorly constructed outline can hinder the development of your story, paper or project.

The main goal of an outline is to present the most important elements of your subject. Before you begin outlining you might select different formats that help you organize your thoughts.

Topic outlines

A topic outline is a type of outline that organizes ideas by topic, rather than by order of importance or chronology. It is a useful tool for organizing research and writing projects that cover a wide range of topics. A topic outline allows writers to see the relationships between different ideas and can help them determine what information is relevant and what can be left out, and which are supporting ideas to the main ideas and major points.

Sentence outlines

A sentence outline is a type of outline that consists of full sentences rather than just topic headings. This type of outline allows writers to see the relationships between different ideas more clearly and can be especially useful for longer or more complex projects. A sentence outline also helps writers ensure that their ideas are fully developed and that all of the necessary information is included.

Concept maps

A concept map is a visual representation of the relationships between different ideas or concepts. It is often used in conjunction with other types of outlining to help writers see the connections between different ideas and to identify gaps in their research or writing. Concept maps can be especially useful for projects that involve a large amount of information or that cover a wide range of topics.

A mind map is a visual representation of ideas and concepts that is organized around a central theme or idea. It is often used as a brainstorming tool to help writers generate ideas and to see the connections between different concepts. Mind maps can be especially useful for projects that involve a lot of creative thinking or for writers who prefer a more visual approach to organizing their ideas.

Outlining an Essay or Research Paper

Outlining an essay is a useful prewriting tool that helps writers organize ideas, keep their arguments focused on a single point, and determine the best appeals to make. It is an important step in writing a paper, and many professors will make it mandatory. But when you write an essay, you don't just need to outline; you also need to have a good thesis statement, evidence, and supporting details.

When you outline your essay, you'll want to include the main point, or thesis statement, along with an introduction paragraph and a conclusion. The thesis statement should be a clear and concise statement of your primary argument, or point.

Another reason to include an outline is to help you keep track of what you've written. Having a template will keep your ideas organized, and will make it easy to revise and re-order your ideas.

An outline can also be helpful in making the process of writing an essay less daunting. For instance, it can remind you to make a transition between different points. This can be especially helpful for longer essays.

While outlining an essay, you may want to include subheadings and headings. Headings represent the major ideas, while subheadings provide details that support those ideas. Using an outline can help you create a logical flow from point to point in your essay.

In terms of size, an outline can be anything from five to ten paragraphs. You may also wish to include an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Outlining your Speech

Regardless of what kind of speech you are giving, a good outline can be a valuable tool. It can help you visualize the subject matter of your speech and organize the information you want to discuss. Using an outline can also guide you through the speech.

An outline should contain main points and sub-points. In the final draft, the sub-points should be connected to the main point. The speaker should revise the outline several times before delivering it.

A good presentation outline includes an Opening, Main Content, and Conclusion. This helps you structure your material and provides a sense of overall flow.

Another type of outline is a skeletal outline, which is used to prepare a speech. During the preparation of a speech, a writer should focus on finalizing the purpose of the speech and deciding where supporting material should be placed.

When planning a speech, it is important to determine what is most interesting to the audience. Then, you should research the topic and identify major facets. After you have a list of ideas, write down the key phrases, definitions, stories, or analogies that relate to the topic.

Outlining a Novel or Book

Outlining a novel or book is a crucial part of the writing process. It can be easy to get stuck without an outline. A good outline will help you organize your thoughts before you begin.

An outline can be written on paper or in the form of a visual mind map. Creating an outline is a great way to plan your storyline and character development.

A good book outline should include all of the main points of your story, as well as chapter summaries and character breakdowns. This way, you can see the big picture and sell your book to readers.

As you write, your outline will change. You can cut unimportant points or add new ones. In addition, you can plug in contents or make adjustments to your template. Once you have an outline, you'll have a solid foundation to work from. The outline will help you find gaps in logic or story. It will also help you avoid gaps in your plot.

One of the best ways to do this is to ask yourself questions on the page. You can use similar books as ideas, or you can ask yourself questions about unique angles.

Another great technique is to start by thinking of a premise. This premise is what will hook your potential readers, and it should answer the questions that a potential editor or agent might have.

Outlining a Project

In the realm of planning and scheduling, the project outline is your ticket to success. It allows you to map out your tasks and visualize the distribution of effort. And if you're a project manager, this can help you nudge team members towards their responsibilities. Using a Gantt chart can also help.

Of course, your project may vary in size and scope. Depending on the complexity of the project, it may not make sense to create an elaborate outline if the project is small. Fortunately, there are tools like NoteDex to make the task a breeze. This software makes it easy to outline project phases, stages and tasks right onto notecards, so you can spend less time managing your projects and more time making them happen.

The best part about simple tools like NoteDex is that you can easily add to or remove cards as you go, so you can keep your project plan up to date.

Outlining an essay, book, research paper or project can be a good idea. It allows you to get a clear picture of the ideas you want to include and helps you organize them into a coherent piece.

There are many different types of outlining. Some examples include the editorialization, which uses anecdotes and commentary to make a point. You can also use a call to action, which helps your readers know what to do with what you have written.

When outlining a paper, start with the introduction. The opening paragraph should be a short, eye-catching one that summarizes the topic and gets your reader's attention. Your next step is the body. Each body paragraph should list the key points of your paper. Be sure to include a thesis statement. The conclusion should tie together the ideas in your paper. For instance, you could describe how a research study helped fill a gap in the literature. In the same vein, you could describe how the study helped people understand the importance of the concept.

In a narrative essay, your conclusion should wrap up the story. Make sure to include some lessons learned and takeaways. Also, consider linking the conclusion to the introductory paragraph. This will create a full circle narration for your readers.

Lastly, don't forget to include a call to action in your conclusion. Including a call to action in your conclusion makes your work seem more genuine and gives the reader something to engage in next.

If you are interested in using an app to outline your thoughts try NoteDex - you can create 'index card' style short notecards that allow you to build out and organize your structure and thoughts.

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Four Types of Outlining - article

Before we explore outlining methods, let's get something out of the way: not all writers use outlines and that's perfectly fine. Winging it, or "pantsing," is a valid writing method, especially for fiction writers. However, many writers benefit from a well-laid plot blueprint as it helps them avoid getting stuck with no way out. It also helps authors who continuously start projects but can never figure out how to reach the end. Now that that's out of the way, let's take a look at four popular outlining forms:

Classical Outlining

A classical outline includes Roman numerals, letters, and numbers for headings and subheadings. This is a highly organized form of outlining and relies heavily on sequential thinking, making it a popular choice among nonfiction writers. The goal of the classical outline is to create a blueprint that effectively divides main ideas and subordinating ones, while at the same time coordinating ideas into a cohesive whole. This pre-writing organization brings clarity to the work.

Summary Outlining

In a summary outline, the writer estimates the number of chapters in their manuscript. The writer often starts out with a document similar to a beat sheet used by screenwriters (a sequentially ordered list of plot events). Then a short summary of each chapter is written. A clear goal is defined for each chapter, and the characters are discussed, along with settings and chapter timelines. This kind of outline is very linear in nature.

Index Card Outlining

Index card outlining is very popular because it allows for the constant reorganization of ideas. Writers create short scene synopses and can rearrange them at will. This is great for those who have a non-linear style. Many use Post-it notes instead of note cards because they can be easily arranged on a wall board, offering a more visual way to follow the story’s plot. For the technically inclined, a program like Microsoft’s “Power Point” or Mac’s “Keynote” allow you to create cards online and easily rearrange as needed. Other programs like Scrivener and Celtx are made for writers and have even more user-friendly outlining features.

Clustering, or mind mapping, is a random and organic outline form and consists of creating a web of ideas that will eventually be used to start a story. The main idea is placed in a central bubble then more bubbles surround it. More ideas radiate out from the center, creating a web-like shape upon completion. Lines connect all the bubbles with coordinating ideas. For large works, a poster-sized sheet of paper is recommended.

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Top Comments

Excellent added information, and added confidence. For me the first primero manuscript/book, was 55% sporacdic, somewhat all over most pages. Yet very thankful it has come to pass. And not sitting, standing and collecting dust. And a Goal soon became a Dream. 

These are great ways to outline your ideas according to your style. I like the Index Card Outlining and the Clustering; I think I will try clustering.

There are a variety of publishing companies that could help you, but you may want to look at AuthorHouse or iUniverse. 

planning to write a book and I am wondering if any publishing company can edit my writing simply to put things together with there expertise :)? if yes please send me the name of the publishing company name thanks 

Hi Jennifer,

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