What is an outline?
What is an outline? An outline, also called a hierarchical outline, can help structure your arguments and ideas when writing an essay, providing a guide for organizing your paragraphs. Most essay outlines follow a similar basic structure, with variations based on the number of paragraphs or specific requirements. However, this outline template can give you a starting point to organize your thoughts and brainstorm the shape and flow of your paper.
Custom Outline Template Generator
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Generated Outline
MLA Handbook
The Modern Language Association provides a copy of the MLA Handbook.
How to Write an Essay Outline?
I. Introduction
-Start with a short story, statistic, or the historical context introducing the paper topic.
-Give an overview of the subject.
-Define any key terminology to understand the topic better.
-Quote or paraphrase sources revealing the subject’s controversial nature.
-Highlight the background information on the topic necessary to comprehend the paper’s direction.
-Write an antithesis paragraph, presenting the primary opposing views.
II. Body
- Present the main points of the paper.
- Provide examples, details, and explanations to support each main point.
- If it’s an argumentative paper, address any counterarguments and explain.
III. Conclusion:
- Restate your thesis statement in different words from the introduction
- Provide a brief recap of each main point, using two sentences for each
- Discuss the implications of not adopting the proposed position.
