Outlining

Creating an Outline

Once a topic has been chosen, brainstormed, and a working thesis (the main point of your essay) has been created , many writers create an outline. This allows you to organize ideas into an order that makes sense, and make sure that each idea (your future paragraphs!) can be fully developed.  An outline will include your thesis, the main idea of each body paragraph, and evidence or examples that can be used in each paragraph to support the main ideas. 

Traditional Outline Example

Thesis: In order to succeed in the classroom, college students need to utilize the resources available to them throughout their college careers.

I.   Advising

       A.  Find the right program(s) and/or career field

       B.  Implement a plan for fulfilling program requirements

       C.  Sign up for the correct classes

                  1. Verify prerequisites

                  2. Find times that work

                  3. Locate proper instructor

       D.  Evaluate progress

II.  Help with content

       A. Study groups

       B.  Tutoring

                 1. Drop-in

                 2. Appointments

III.  Technology

       A. Computer Labs

       B. Academic websites

       C. Forums and online discussions

Notice all that the above outline accomplishes:  sections of the essay have been grouped into an order that makes sense (Roman numerals I, II, III) ; main ideas for each section (A, B, C) are identified along with the support (1, 2, 3) that will be offered. Essentially, the essay is completely mapped out. Now the writer can simply follow the outline and turn each idea into a paragraph by expanding on the details that are present. 

Nontraditional Outline Example

Made with Mindmup 2.0

Notice all that the above outline still accomplishes:  sections of the essay have been grouped into an order that makes sense (a blue thesis; green for topic sentences; gray for sources) main ideas for each section (green) are identified along with the support (gray) that will be offered. Now the writer can simply follow the outline and turn each idea (green) into a paragraph by expanding on the details that are present. 

See below for a more comprehensive outline.