Step by step Quick guide on How to write an essay outline for university
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How to write an essay outline for university
When writing scholarly articles, academic papers, novels, informative guides, and encyclopedias, an essay outline is one of the main planning methods. The paper outline contains the headings: introduction, body, and conclusion. Each source is organized by relevance to strengthen the writing process. There are different formats when it comes to outlining, but the main formats required for a college essay outline are APA and MLA.
Regardless of whether you are writing an APA or MLA outline, the process of organizing remains the same, with minimal differences. APA format uses abstracts and requires one or two sentences per line. Besides, APA is used mostly for humanities, while MLA is used more for social studies. The simple outline remains the same for any kind of academic paper structure. Writing an essay can be challenging, especially at the university level.
However, having a well-structured essay outline can make the writing process much more manageable. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to write an essay outline for university. By following these steps, you will be able to organize your thoughts, develop a coherent argument, and produce a high-quality essay.
What is a college essay outline, and why is it important?
It is a basic guide that ensures the structure of an essay makes sense. Even when students are concerned about what their university essays should be about, an outline plays a vital role. When writing essays, presenting thoughts and ideas logically is vital for formatting. Without coherence in your paper, it is possible that the instructor will not know the value of it. Understanding how to create an outline is the starting point for presenting a student’s best self.
How to write an outline?
The most common college essay is five paragraphs. An easy way to remember the general format of a writing plan is to think of planning a 5 paragraph essay outline where students would write an introduction, a thesis statement, a body, and a conclusion. Within the basic structure, fit a total of 5 paragraphs. The same practice can be done with planning, but instead of paragraphs, it is noted. This same method would apply to an argumentative essay outline and any other paper structure throughout and beyond college.
The key elements to outlining
Research and notes
It is crucial to find credible sources and note them before writing. Search across academic search engines and credible websites, oxford academic or google scholar, to find reliable references to include in an academic paper.
Prioritize your thesis
Since the thesis statement summarizes the entire paper, start prioritizing it before working on the other sections of the outline. The thesis can guide you through the planning and writing process.
Write your ideas
Supposing you have already written out the basic headings of an outline, write down all of the key points from your found sources in the thesis and body sections.
Where to include references
For cause and effect, in SAT essays, AP English examinations, and admission essays alongside other formal writing styles, all the references are included in the body section except for analytical papers and reflection papers, where it is acceptable to include a citation within the introduction paragraph.
Introduction
The introduction is the opening line of the paper for most academic styles. It is, therefore, to plan something catchy within the outline. The introduction is the first section of your essay outline and should grab the reader’s attention. It should provide background information on the topic, present the thesis statement, and outline the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
Body paragraphs
The body paragraphs constitute the main content of your essay. Each paragraph should focus on supporting a specific argument or idea related to your thesis statement. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point, followed by supporting evidence, examples, and analysis. It is important to address opposing viewpoints or counterarguments to strengthen the credibility of your essay. Dedicate a part of your outline to acknowledge alternative perspectives and explain why they are not as valid as your arguments. This will demonstrate critical thinking and a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Conclusion
The entire paper should be summarized in the final paragraph restating the thesis statement in the first sentence, and adding some predictions, suggestions and opinions in the sentences that follow. For the final sentence, it should summarize the goal of the paper. It should leave a lasting impression on the reader by providing a sense of closure and reinforcing the significance of your arguments. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
General outline format
Title page
- Essay Title:
- Student Name:
- Professor’s Name:
- Class
Introduction
This is the opening paragraph
Thesis
- Describe briefly the entire paper
- Link the statement to the first paragraph
Body paragraph 1
- Evidence
- Explanation
- Link sentence to the second body paragraph
Body paragraph 2
- Evidence
- An explanation related to the thesis
- Link sentence to the conclusion
Body paragraph
Evidence
Explanation related to the thesis
Link sentence to the conclusion
Conclusion
- Summary of the entire paper
- A conclusive sentence
Citations
- Footnotes or bibliography
Outline format
As a rule, students use the linear style when formatting their essay outlines. This means they rank arguments in order of their importance – from major to minor ones. Remember that your essay outline does not have to include complete sentences.
It is only an outline; therefore, feel free to format arguments and evidence the way it seems understandable and comfortable for you. Just ensure it is visually clear and allows you to see if some sections are redundant or repetitive.
This will help you avoid duplications when writing your essay. Your outline should be formatted accordingly, aware that your readers may not be familiar with your topic. Assume that some people know nothing about it when preparing arguments and arranging them logically.
How to make an outline: the process
Creating an outline is a vital step in the writing process, as it helps organize thoughts, establish a clear structure, and ensure a coherent flow of ideas. Whether you are writing an essay, a research paper, or a speech, a well-written outline acts as a roadmap to guide your writing.
In this guide, we will explore the process of outlining to help you create an effective outline for any writing project. Students know that an essay outline should specify all the main arguments and points of their future paper, though they find it challenging to create. Besides, professors may ask you to submit an essay outline for review.
That is where the planning skills come in handy. For effective outline writing, you will need to know what to do before outlining, the structure to choose for your work, and how to organize your outline so it is as informative as possible. Below is how to outline an essay.
What to do before outlining
Taking the time to adequately prepare before diving into the outlining process is crucial for creating a well-structured and coherent piece of writing. Whether you’re working on an essay, an article, or a presentation, the steps you take before outlining can significantly impact the quality and effectiveness of your work. Carefully read your writing assignment. Ensure you understand what essay type you need to write, how many points to use, and how long your text needs. Before you start writing your essay outline, it is essential to understand the assignment requirements fully. Carefully read the prompt and clarify any uncertainties with your professor.
Identify the key objectives, the topic, and any specific guidelines or restrictions.
Respond to the question, ‘what is the purpose of your essay?’ Do you want to persuade readers, inform or just entertain them? You will know what thesis to consider depending on the goal, how to visualize research in your paper, and what writing techniques to use. Identify the audience. Though an instructor reads and evaluates your work, who do you want to read your essay? Do you write for strangers? Classmates? What do they know about your topic?
How will they react to your information? Would they agree with your thesis? You will understand what arguments might work for your essay. This will also help you decide on the resources to use for research and the evidence to choose for your arguments. Consider credible sources to find references for your paper. Take note of them to use in your outline. State your thesis to see what topic sentences to outline for your essay. A thesis should be arguable and provide enough details to hook readers so they would get involved in your writing emotionally. Once a thesis is ready, start structuring your essay outline.
Choose an essay outline structure
Start with outlining your introduction. Write a sentence about your topic and introduce your thesis. Besides, you can mention an essay hook here, a statement you will use to make the audience interested in reading your work. Outline your body section. For each paragraph, write down a topic sentence and mention how it will relate to the topic and your thesis.
The more details you outline, the easier it will be to organize your thoughts while writing. You can also write a transition sentence for each paragraph to band all arguments easily. Finally, outline your essay conclusion, restate your thesis, and write a concluding statement. This statement addresses the thesis’s importance and proposes solutions to the problem addressed in the essay.
What are the steps for creating an outline?
Brainstorm and select a topic.
Start by listing all the topics you are considering. Don’t judge the topics you are writing. Just get as many of your thoughts on paper as possible. After creating a list, find the topic that seems like the best fit for your assignment. Maybe, a few topics could even be combined to create one larger and more developed topic.
Brainstorm some supporting details.
After choosing your topic, it is time to see if you have enough details to support this topic. A good web of ideas can help you see how your thoughts are connected to your main idea. Jot down any relevant points, arguments, or examples that come to mind. This brainstorming process will help you generate a pool of ideas for your essay.
Label your ideas. Where would they go in an outline template?
An outline generally contains an introduction, a body of supporting ideas, and a conclusion. You will eventually take your brainstorming of ideas and organize them into a neat and orderly outline. This enables you to place ideas in a logical order and help eliminate some ideas that are not as strong or do not fit the essay.
Tips on how to make a college essay outline
Writing a well-organized and coherent essay outline form requires careful planning and preparation. Outlines are flexible tools to guide the writing process; thus, be free to make adjustments as required.
Understand that college essay outline is not set in stone
The primary purpose of an essay outline is to organize your thoughts and ideas before commencing the writing process. It enables you to maintain focus and ensures a logical flow of information in your essay.
Choose your personal story.
Selecting a captivating and meaningful personal story is crucial. Choose an event or experience that resonates with you and aligns with the essay prompt. This will serve as the foundation of your essay and help create a strong connection with your readers.
Group related ideas
Group-related ideas to organize your thoughts. Identify key experiences, themes, or arguments that support your central story. Grouping will help you maintain coherence and ensure a logical progression of your outline for a personal essay.
Use subheadings
To further organize and structure your essay, incorporate subheadings into your outline to further organize and structure your essay. They act as signposts for different sections or main points within your essay, and this makes it easier for readers to navigate and understand your content.
Pay attention to submission requirements.
Note any specific submission requirements like word count limitations or formatting guidelines. Following these requirements showcases your attention to detail and professionalism.
You can utilize our essay writing service at Studygroom to get a unique outline that will smooth your essay writing process.