Writing an outline for an essay

 SGliederung für einen Essay schreiben

In this article: Basic structure of an outline
Outline of an expository essay
Outline of an argumentative essay
Outline of a narrative essay
Related articles

The outline of an essay should summarize the content of the essay briefly and in a way that is easy to understand. Writing an essay is a very effective pre-writing method and some professors even require their students to hand in the outline of their essays so that they can control that students are actively working on their essays. There are general rules for outlining an essay, but the content will obviously depend on the topic you are writing the essay about. Read on to learn how to write an outline for an expository, argumentative, and narrative essay.
   
    It is best to use the standard alphabet structure. This structure is the most commonly used and is easy to understand. An alphabetical structure is then subdivided in the following order: Roman numerals, uppercase letters, Arabic numerals, lowercase letters.
        Roman numerals are used to mark the top points or headings. In an essay, you usually have three for each of your introduction, body, and conclusion.
        These main points are then further subdivided with capital letters to describe larger sub-points.
        Arabic numerals are then the next level of subdivision.
        If you want to subdivide even further, then lowercase letters are suitable for this.
   
    An alternative to the alphabetical system would be an outline with decimal numbers. It works basically like the alphabetical outline, but it uses only numbers.
        The top points (introduction, main body, conclusion) are then subdivided as follows: 1.0 for the introduction, 2.0 for the main body, and 3.0 for the conclusion.
        When subdividing these points, you then simply add a number after the point. That is under the 1.0 then for example 1.1, 1.2, 1.3... etc.
        You can then subdivide further subchapters by adding further numbers. This is how you label your chapters under the 1.1 selection, i.e. 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, etc.
       Decide whether to use complete sentences or just short phrases. For most essays, full sentences are better because you can pack more information into the outline. This is especially true if you have to give your outline to a professor.
        Whatever you decide to do, be sure to follow through from beginning to end. Avoid writing complete sentences for some selections and only phrases for some.
        You can label your top points as introduction, body, and conclusion. But your teacher may want you to do it differently.
        Keep it short, no matter what structure you choose. As a general rule, no point should be longer than one line. Longer points can be two lines long as an exception, but they should not make up the bulk of your outline.
   
    Introduce your introduction in the first section. This section should contain information about the topic and thesis of your essay.
        In the first subheading, write a sentence that introduces your topic and simultaneously grabs the reader's attention. An interesting fact is usually good for this.
        In the second subheading, you describe your topic, the story, the background, or the problem being explained. Again, keep this short. You only need to introduce the topic, not elaborate on it.
        If you want to expand on the topic, then divide the second subheading into additional subheadings.
        The last subheading should be your thesis. That is, the idea or opinion you want to discuss in your essay.
    
    In the second section, you describe the main body. Each sub-point immediately following it is then a main point in your essay.
        However, do not call each of these points a main point, just write it out directly.
        Under each main point, you should then list the evidence that supports your main point. You do this by subdividing the main point into further subpoints.
        If you wish, you can also write a transition at the end of each main point that leads to your next main point. However, this is not necessary.
  

You end this section with a point that brings the reader back to the initial discussion you addressed in the introduction.
        First, mention your thesis again. However, do not copy your original thesis word for word, but express it a little differently.
        Then conclude with a paragraph about your conclusions. This paragraph usually looks like discussing the thesis again, giving solutions to the problems, or reminding the reader of the extent of the thesis, which is sometimes much more far-reaching than listed in the essay.


    An expository essay explores a topic.
        You should come to a conclusion on the topic, but also explore the overall topic at the same time. Unlike an argumentative or persuasive essay, you don't have to refute controversial opinions or conclusions about the same topic.
    Image title Write an Essay Outline Step 8
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    In the first part, you introduce with the background of the topic. The main part of the introduction should be to provide a context for your topic.
        As in most outlines for essays, the first subheading of the first main point should be a sentence that grabs the reader's attention. This can be an anecdote, a fact, definition, or a quote.
        The second subheading usually contains information about the background of your topic. If you are writing a literary essay, you may need to summarize your work. For other topics, it is sufficient to give a brief overview of the history of your topic.
        Then end this point with a concluding statement.
 
    The second part is about evidence. Each sub-point of the main part, i.e. your second part, should support your thesis and be evidence for your claim.
        For each point, write a sentence that describes the corresponding essay paragraph.
        Name your arguments. This means that you state it in the text, so state your claim with quotes, statements, personal experiences, or other sources.
        Analyze each argument. Once you have presented your evidence, briefly explain why this evidence supports your thesis.
        At the end of each point, you will need a segue to the next argument.
   
    At the end, it is best to give an overview of the topic. This part should give the reader something to think about and give them another overview of the topic.
        Express your thesis in other words.
        List your arguments in the order you listed them in the essay. Thus, show that you have some structure and have thought while writing.
        In this part, you can also ask all the new questions that may have occurred to you while writing the essay.

    An argumentative essay, or persuasive essay, is a discussion in which you support one side of a controversial issue.
        If you are going to defend your own side, you need to show the reader that you are knowledgeable about the other side as well, however.
   
    You need to highlight both sides of the issue in the introduction. In the part where your first Roman numeral is written, or in the part that is your introduction, you should then describe the topic from all sides before focusing on only one side.
        Your first subheading should again attract the reader's attention. A statistic, a quote, or a symbol is suitable for this purpose. However, this point must support the page you want to describe in your essay.
        Your next subheading should describe the topic in general terms. This includes information about why the topic is so controversial and both sides of the issue.
        Write your thesis statement. For an argumentative essay, your thesis statement must clearly state which side of the issue you support.
   
    Refute opposing arguments and defend your arguments in the body. Half of the subpoints in the body should be points that support your thesis and the other half should be points that refute the opposing side. However, there are several ways to structure this essay.
        Write each sub-point in such a way that it provides evidence for your thesis and, at the same time, refutes the arguments of the opposing side.
        The first arguments should support your thesis. The second half of your subpoints should then refute the opposing view and give evidence for why the opponents are not right.

But list your arguments in reverse order. From the weakest to the strongest argument. So the first arguments refute the opposing side and the last are evidence for your thesis.
    
    In the end, you must once again emphasize the significance of your arguments and explain why your view of the issue is correct.
        Restate your thesis in other words in the first subheading of this part.
        In your next subsection, summarize the main points again. However, you should be brief and not go into detail.
        Be sure to include an appeal in your essay. If you write an argumentative essay, you motivate the reader to think about it and possibly even to act. If there is no obvious solution to the issue, at least motivate the reader to think more about the issue.
        In the essay, also state how you think about the future of the topic. This can be interpreted positively or negatively, depending on whether your side is the side that the majority of people have as well or not.