![]() ![]() When you brainstormed, you explored every possible avenue to go down in your writing and every potential piece of information to include. Having a clear objective enables you to work through your brainstorming notes and craft an outline that hits all the necessary points you need to support that objective. You might not have the exact wording at this point, but you should have a general idea of the point you’ll make and defend in your essay. Just follow these four steps to craft an outline that makes the rest of the writing process simple. So you’re sitting at your desk, ready to write your outline. If you have any final thoughts or perspectives you want to impress on your reader before they finish reading your essay, this is where you make them. Once you reach your conclusion, you’re almost there! This is the part of your essay where you wrap it up and summarize the points you made in your body paragraphs. In an analytical essay, you’ll write one body section for each point you make to support your thesis. For example, in a compare-and-contrast essay, you’ll write one section (at least one paragraph long) for each comparison and contrast you make. ![]() However, the type of essay you’re writing might require you to deviate from this. If you’re supporting your thesis with multiple sources, a general rule to follow is one body paragraph per source cited. ![]() Unless your professor assigned a specific number of body paragraphs for your essay, how many of these you write is your call. Your essay might only need two supporting paragraphs, or it could need four or five (or more). Your essay’s introduction should be concise and quickly hook the reader. It’s also where you state your thesis, the definitive sentence where you make your argument clear. As this name implies, this is where you introduce the topics you’ll be covering in your essay. The first section of your essay is called the introduction. Every essay starts with an introduction section, follows it with at least one body paragraph that supports the points made in the introduction, then wraps up with a conclusion section that reiterates the author’s thesis and summarizes the body paragraphs. Basic parts of an essayĪlthough every essay is unique, they all adhere to the same basic essay structure. Usually, this is so the professor can make sure each student is on the right track in terms of choosing an essay topic that has a sufficient amount of sources to reference, that it fits the parameters of the assignment, and that the student understands the assignment. It’s not uncommon for professors to require their students to submit essay outlines before getting started on their essays. If you get stuck as you’re writing your essay, your outline is there to help you get back on track. It’s where you organize all the thoughts and insights you brainstormed into a neat roadmap to follow as you write. Outlining is an important early stage in the writing process. This can make it easier for you to determine the most effective way to transition between paragraphs and the ideal order in which to present your supporting paragraphs. But an essay outline isn’t just for your readers’ benefit-it also helps you visualize your finished essay before you begin writing it. It boils the essay’s paragraphs down to key points, allowing readers to get a gist of your essay with a quick skim. If you have any questions, feel free to come to the Writing Center and work with a tutor on creating your outline.Grammarly helps you write with confidence Write with Grammarly What is an essay outline?Īs we mentioned above, an essay outline is a visual representation of an essay. Everyone organizes differently, so it is important to do what works best for you. You can use any form of this example to write your outline. Secondary or supporting idea to main idea II Secondary or supporting idea to main idea I This is a rough idea of the format an outline can have: Remember that your outline should serve as a rough idea of how your paper will develop it does not have to be very formal or exact. Write possible transitions between paragraphs. Put your points in logical, numerical order so that each point connects back to your main point. How do I write an outline?ĭecide what points you would like to discuss during your paper. Although it is most commonly used before beginning to write or doing research, this process can also take place during or after writing your paper to make sure your points are organized and make sense. Writing an outline can take place at any time during the writing process. Many writers find it easier to write from an outline instead of starting from a blank page. It allows you to brainstorm new ideas and make sure your paper will be organized, focused, and supported. Creating an outline is a good step to take while writing your paper. ![]()
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