How to Write an Essay Outline | Template, Example & Tips
An essay outline is a structured list of the paragraph topics and details that an essay will include. Outlines make the writing process more efficient and lead to logical and organized essays.
To create an essay outline, review the assignment to find out what type of main idea and body paragraph topics are required (e.g., reasons for an opinion). Then, write a draft of your thesis statement, and decide what the topic of each body paragraph will be. After that, gather details for each paragraph, and list them below each paragraph topic.
What is an outline for an essay?
An outline for an essay is a planning tool that helps you decide what paragraph topics and details your essay will include. It’s a structured list of paragraph topics and the details for each paragraph (e.g., the pieces of evidence for each body paragraph).
An essay outline can follow a formal or informal structure depending on whether you’re turning it in for a grade. A formal essay outline has Roman numerals (e.g., “I” and “II”) for the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion and capital letters (e.g., “A,” “B”) for the details that each paragraph will include. An informal essay outline can be a bulleted list.
Essay outline examples
How to write an essay outline in 4 steps
Even when an essay outline isn’t required, outlining your ideas before you write saves time and leads to better drafts. Here’s how to do it in 4 steps.
- Understand the assignment requirements. Examine the essay prompt to find out:
- What types of body paragraph topics are required (For example, in an argument essay, each body paragraph focuses on a reason for the main argument.)
- How many body paragraphs your essay needs based on the required length
- Write a draft of your thesis statement. Choose a main idea to develop in the body of the essay (your angle or opinion on the topic). You may need to do preliminary research or brainstorming to make this decision. QuillBot’s thesis statement maker can help you brainstorm and choose a strong thesis statement.
- Write the topic of each paragraph. The first paragraph topic is the introduction, and the last paragraph is the conclusion. Each body paragraph should focus on a separate aspect of your main idea.
- List the details below each paragraph topic. For the introduction, list the hook and background details. For each body paragraph, make a list of examples or facts to use as evidence. If you’re outlining the conclusion, list the points you’ll summarize and the final thoughts or call to action.
- Use each body paragraph topic as a search phrase in an academic database, search engine, or QuillBot’s AI Search.
- Decide which search results are most relevant to your topic.
- Skim those sources for details that support the paragraph.
As you learn more information, don’t be afraid to adjust your angle or refine body paragraph topics. The writing process is recursive, so it’s common to revisit steps that you previously worked on (e.g., writing a main idea).
Essay outline template
When you need to make an essay outline, the template below can jumpstart the process. Simply paste it into a document and fill in the details. Modify the number of body paragraphs and supporting details to fit your topic or assignment.
- Introduction
- Hook: [Statement, fact, or statistic that shows why your topic is worthy of attention at this moment]
- Background information [What does your reader need to know about your topic to understand your main idea?]
- Thesis statement: [The main idea of your essay and a general or specific preview of your body paragraph topics]
- First body paragraph topic
- Supporting Detail
- Supporting Detail
- Supporting Detail
- Second body paragraph topic
- Supporting Detail
- Supporting Detail
- Supporting Detail
- Third body paragraph topic
- Supporting Detail
- Supporting Detail
- Supporting Detail
- Conclusion
- Thesis statement paraphrase
- Summary of main points
- Overall implications or call to action
Essay outline example
The following example shows how to outline paragraphs and details for a 5-paragraph argument essay.
Topic: Why you should make an outline before you write an essay
- Introduction
- Hook: Statistic about percentage of students who outline
- Background details (the biggest concerns students have about outlining)
- An extra step
- Takes time
- Seems unnecessary
- Main idea: Students should begin the essay-writing process with an outline.
- Body Paragraph 1: Makes the overall writing process faster
- Prevents the time wasted from writer’s block/blank page syndrome
- Accelerates the research process because you know what to look for
- Reduces the need for major structural revisions later
- Speeds up transitions between paragraphs since the flow is pre-planned
- Body Paragraph 2: Divides the writing process into manageable parts
- Makes long essays feel less overwhelming
- Allows you to tackle one section at a time
- Allows you to set a time limit or deadline for each section
- Body Paragraph 3: Leads to a more organized draft
- Makes it possible to get feedback on the structure
- Prevents repetition or off-topic content
- Makes it easier to stay aligned with thesis and purpose
- Conclusion
- Restate thesis: Outlining makes writing faster, less stressful, and more organized
- An outline doesn’t need to be perfect or very detailed to improve your writing process.
- Taking a few minutes to plan can save hours in revision and frustration.
How to outline different types of essays
The key to writing an effective outline is understanding what types of body paragraph topics your assignment requires. The following examples show how to make an essay outline for the most common essay types. Individual assignments and instructor preferences may vary.
Argumentative essay outline (aka persuasive essay outline)
In most cases, an argument essay outline or persuasive essay outline follows this structure. You can add body paragraph topics as needed to meet the required length. For example, your assignment may or may not require counterarguments, and argument essays don’t always need exactly three reasons.
- Introduction
- First reason
- Second reason
- Third reason (repeat as needed depending on the required length)
- Counterargument(s)
- Conclusion
Rhetorical analysis essay outline
In a rhetorical analysis essay, each body paragraph usually focuses on a different rhetorical appeal (e.g., ethos, pathos, logos, and in some cases, kairos). You might be required to evaluate how well the author uses ethos, pathos, and logos or analyze how they support an author’s main idea.
- Introduction
- Ethos
- Pathos
- Logos
- Conclusion
Compare and contrast essay outline
A compare and contrast essay outline can take one of two forms: block or point-by-point. The focus is always on similarities and/or differences.
- In block format, there’s a section or paragraph for each topic you’re comparing with details about how the similarities and differences apply to each one.
- In point-by-point format, each body paragraph focuses on a similarity or difference and contains details about both topics of comparison.
| Block format | Point-by-point format |
|---|---|
|
|
Narrative essay outline
A narrative essay outline follows the timeline of a short but meaningful event. The plotline is usually sandwiched between an introduction that establishes what event you’re writing about and a conclusion that elaborates on the impact or meaning.
- Introduction
- Rising action
- Climax
- Falling action
- Outcome
- Conclusion
Frequently asked questions about how to write an essay outline
- What is a synthesis essay outline?
-
A synthesis essay outline is a structured list of the paragraphs and details that a synthesis essay will include. A synthesis outline includes a list of evidence from two or more sources beneath each body paragraph topic. Synthesis outlines also tend to include citations, like this example:
- Introduction
- Building a new park will positively impact property values.
- Case study by Hayes (2023) about parks and Springfield property values
- Report by Shafer (2024) comparing property values in neighborhoods with and without a nearby park
The outline would continue with additional evidence and body paragraph topics.
When you’re making a synthesis essay outline, QuillBot’s AI Search can help you find outside sources.
- What is an expository essay outline?
-
An expository essay outline is an organized list of paragraph topics and details for any type of expository essay (e.g., cause/effect essay or process analysis essay). The following example shows how to start a cause/effect outline.
- Introduction
- First cause or effect
- Supporting detail
- Supporting detail
- Supporting detail (repeat as needed)
- Conclusion
When you’re working on an expository essay outline, QuillBot’s AI Chat can give you pointers or feedback. Simply copy/paste your assignment instructions and outline into the prompt, and ask for the type of help you need.
- What is a research essay outline?
-
A research essay outline is a structured list of the paragraph topics and supporting details for a research paper. Beneath each body paragraph topic, include a list of the evidence from outside sources along with citations that show where you found each piece of evidence, like this example with fictitious sources:
- Introduction
- Impact of renewable energy on local economies
- Report by Smith (2022) on wind farms and job growth in Kansas
- Statistics on solar energy job growth in Nebraska (Coen, 2023)
The outline would continue with additional evidence and body paragraph topics.
When you’re working on an outline for a research paper, QuillBot’s AI Search can help you find outside sources.
Cite this Quillbot article
We encourage the use of reliable sources in all types of writing. You can copy and paste the citation or click the "Cite this article" button to automatically add it to our free Citation Generator.
Routh, N. (2025, October 28). How to Write an Essay Outline | Template, Example & Tips. Quillbot. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://quillbot.com/blog/academic-writing/essay-outline/
