How do I create an effective outline?

What is an outline?

Essentially, an outline is the “map” of your essay or paper. It shows the order in which information will be presented in your essay. An outline is a series of ideas organized in a way that makes a point, delivers an idea, or conveys a message to the reader. Outlines are typically organized using numbers and letters in a list form.

Why is it important to write an outline?

An outline is a visual representation of your final essay. It can help you see the strengths and weaknesses of your essay, explore new ideas, and develop points that will be incorporated into your writing. Outlines show the connection between the thesis statement and the information researched or noted in an annotated bibliography.

The goal of an outline is to organize your thoughts and determine the best approach to writing your research paper. Remember that everything in your outline should relate to your thesis statement. An outline should be written in full sentences with evidence from your sources and correctly cited using the notes-bibliography system. This will allow you to practice using the system before your draft and final paper.

What do I need to know before writing my outline?

Topic - Before writing an outline, you must have a clear topic. At times, topics may be too broad or too narrow and will need to be modified.
Purpose - Determine the purpose of your essay. Is the purpose of this essay to inform, entertain or persuade your audience?
Audience - Understand who the audience is. Because this is a college-level essay, it is expected that students write in a formal style following proper MLA or APA formatting as stated in the course.
Brainstorm - Read through your research and your annotated bibliography for ideas that are similar or seem to “go together”. It may be helpful to visualize this in the form of a mind map. Here are 2 free tools to help you create a mind map: Bubbl.us and MindMeister.
Thesis Statement - Now that you have your information separated into categories, it’s time to write or modify your thesis statement. Remember, your thesis statement explains the major concepts that will be discussed in your essay. If you need a reminder about how to write a thesis statement, click here.

How do I write the outline?

Outlines are typically organized using lists of numbers and letters. Traditionally, outlines begin with a roman numeral. Typically, they follow a pattern similar to this one:

I. Introduction

A. Opening Statement

B. Thesis Statement

C. Outline of Main Points

1. Main point #1 - First body paragraph

2. Main Point #2 - Second body paragraph

3. Main point #3 - Third body paragraph

D. Transition into First Body Paragraph

II. Main point #1 - Body Paragraph

A. General Sentence Construction

1. Make the claim

2. Support it with evidence (resource)

3. Provide analysis in your own words - tie it with main point/thesis

III. Main point #2 - Body Paragraph

A. General Sentence Construction

1. Make the claim

2. Support it with evidence (resource)

3. Provide analysis in your own words - tie it with main point/thesis

IV. Main point #3 - Body Paragraph

A. General Sentence Construction

1. Make the claim

2. Support it with evidence (resource)

3. Provide analysis in your own words - tie it with main point/thesis

V. Conclusion

A. Opening Statement/Restate Thesis (in different words)

B. Summary of Main Points/Research

C. Final Statement/Closer

VI. Works Cited/Annotated Bibliography (if required)

Additional Guidelines:

Make sure that each item focuses on the thesis.
Use the notes-bibliography system.
You don't need to write an essay, only sentences to complete your outline.
Use past tense.
Avoid first and second person.

How do I use the outline in my writing?

Now that your outline is complete, and your research is organized, it is time to start writing your essay. Your outline should be used similarly to a checklist for your ideas. Write each section. For example, start with your introduction paragraph and begin writing the “attention-grabber,” the necessary background information to truly understand the main purpose of your essay and your thesis statement. Next, write out the body paragraph to explain the first reason or point of your essay. Continue writing each section of your outline. At the end, you will have created a rough draft of your essay. Be sure to check out this article on transitions, revising, and editing your essay to polish it before submitting it for a grade.

For more information about writing an outline for your essay, click here.