1. Writing An Essay Outline
Take Time Now To Save Time Later!
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What is an outline?
An outline is a part of the writing process called “Pre-Writing.”
It is a list that outlines all of the information that you would like to include in your paper.
The list helps you to put all of your information in order before you begin writing.
It is the best way to get your mind
UNJUMBLED
when writing any major paper!
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How does it do that?
An Outline Organizes The Major Parts Of Your Essay:
Your Thesis Statement-The sentence that tells your reader your ultimate point and what they should expect.
You Major Points-The facts that you are using to prove your main point.
Your Supporting Details-The examples, facts, quotations, etc. that further explain and back up each major point. You should have several for each Major Point.
Your Transitions-The statement or information you will use to transition form one major point to the next. This stops your paper from sounding jumpy or disorganized.
Concluding Thoughts-Any thoughts that you would like to include at the close of your paper to wrap things up and tie it all together. NEVER INCLUDE NEW FACTS OR INFORMATION IN YOUR CONCLUSION!
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4. It will help you organize all of the ideas running around your brain!
Why Write An Outline?
It will help you organize all of the ideas running around your brain!
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Why Write An Outline?
It will allow you to find any gaps in your research or ideas early enough to fix them.
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Why Write An Outline?
It will make writing you essay less stressful because you will KNOW what you have to work with.
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Why Write An Outline?
Professors are often willing to look over an outline for you to make sure that you are on the right track!
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8. Do I Have To Use Roman Numerals?
No!
You can organize your outline any way that you would like.
Use Number or Letters
Use signs or simple pictures (- * √ ◊ ●)
You can even do it on the computer and use the bullet function.
NOTE: If you do your outline on the computer, you can use it as the basis for your essay. Just remove the bullets when you are ready and edit what you have already typed!!
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Where do I start?
Gather all of your research or notes on the topic that you are writing about.
Review it all and decide what your research/information is telling you about your topic.
Form a working thesis statement that describes the point that you want to make about your topic.
Begin to select what information you would like to include in your essay based on what proves your point.
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10. Then what?
Start Writing Your Outline!
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11. How?
An Outline Organizes Your Information Into 3 major parts in Preparation For Your Paper:

12. What goes in the intro. section?
The Same Information That Should Be In Your Essay’s Introductory Paragraph

13. What about the Body section?
The Body Section Outlines The Following Information On Each Of Your Major Points:
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14. And the conclusion section…
Your Conclusion Section Does The Following:
NOTE: You do not have to rewrite the thesis or major points in your outline if you do not choose to, but they should be in your essay’s conclusion!
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15. How Will My Final Outline Look?
Your Final Outline Should Look Something Like This:
Thesis Statement
1st major point
2nd major point
3rd major point (etc.)
Supporting details (3-5)
Transition
2nd major point
Supporting details (3-5)
Transition
3rd major point
Concluding Thoughts
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16. Need More Help Writing Outlines?
Visit the Writing Center Building C
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