How to Write an Essay Outline – Steps & Examples

Do I need to submit my essay outline beforehand? 

Yes, in some cases, you may need to complete and hand in an outline before writing the essay. But even if you don’t need to submit one, it is recommended to develop an essay outline, so you don’t get off track.

How to categorise information in an essay outline?

When categorising information in your essay outline, divide the topic into broad categories, then further divide those into subcategories and specific points.

What are the steps to write an essay outline?

1. Shape up your ideas
2. Categorise information
3. Decide the order of the material

EXAMPLE

Introduction

1. Describe the relationship between the main character, Laura, and the theme of coming of age.
2. Emphasise the significance of Laura’s older sister, Mary, losing her sight due to scarlet fever.
3. Set up your research question: Why must Laura suddenly take on the role of the oldest child in the family and grow in maturity when her eldest sister, Mary, loses her sight?

Link with the previous novels

1. Discuss the typical sibling relationship between Laura and Mary in the previous novels.
2. Analyse how their relationship changed after Mary’s rapidly fading eyesight.

Impact of Mary’s blindness on the family

1. Discuss how Laura’s responsibilities increase because Mary can no longer care for herself.
2. Describe how Mary’s blindness turns Laura’s life upside down because Laura is responsible for Mary’s safety and well-being.

The burden of Laura’s responsibilities

1. Laura must “see out loud” for Mary, as is described in the chapter “Riding the Cars”.
2. Give details of the heavy burden Laura carries.

Conclusion

1. Provide a summary of the three themes: Link with previous novels, the impact of Mary’s blindness on the family, and the burden of Laura’s responsibilities.

EXAMPLE

Introduction

1. Claim that the conquest of Makkah marked the beginning of the Golden Islamic Age.
2. Provide background on the circumstances that led to the siege of Mecca.
3. Write the thesis statement: The event marked the end of the ongoing wars between Muslims and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca and allowed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to unite Arabia into a single Muslim religious polity.

Circumstances leading to the epic clash

1. Discuss the cruel and harrowing experience of living in Mecca as a Muslim.
2. Mention the expulsion of Muslims from Mecca after Muhammad claimed that he was the prophet of Allah (God).
3. Describe how this forced Muslims to migrate from Mecca and find refuge in Medina.

Regrouping in Medina

1. Explain Muhammad’s departure from Mecca under threat from the city’s power elite and his regrouping in Medina.
2. Discuss how Christian King, Al-Najashi, came to Muslims’ aid as his kingdom provided shelter to the Muslim emigrants.

The beginning of the golden Islamic Age

1. Describe the event of the conquest of Mecca by Muslims led by the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
2. Provide insight into the circumstances that encouraged volunteers and contingents from allied tribes to join the Muslim army.
3. Map out the tactics employed by the Muslim army during the assault on Mecca.

Conclusion

1. A summary of the historical event is explained.
2. Emphasise the significance of the conquest of Mecca in medieval times.

EXAMPLE

Introduction

1. The significance of online learning programmes.
2. The impact of e-learning on public libraries.
3. Thesis statement: Public libraries should be shut down, and, in their place, everyone should be given an iPad with an e-reader subscription.

Libraries are expensive to maintain

1. Shutting down libraries will save local cities and towns money.
2. More people will read because they won’t have to travel to the library.
3. People will get access to more materials without buying physical copies of the books.

A severe mistake to replace libraries with tablets

1. People read 20—30% slower on tablets and retain 20% less information when using digital resources.
2. Staring too long at a screen can cause health problems.
3. People will not be able to read online in an internet shutdown or partial blackout.

Libraries are more than lending books

1. There are numerous benefits of service libraries, with many only available if the library has a physical location.
2. Physical libraries can organise community events for children and senior citizens.
3. One-third of the UK population sees libraries as a necessary component of their community system.

Conclusion

1. A summary of the arguments presented.
2. The advantages of public libraries over digital learning.
3. Emphasise the importance of public libraries to the community network.

EXAMPLE

Introduction

1. Hook
2. Significance of the topic to you and the reader
3. Thesis statement

Body paragraphs

1. The setting, background about the event
2. Characters (people involved)
3. Short anecdote or foreshadowing
4. The onset of the event
5. Climax
6. Ending or resolution

Conclusion

1. Moral of the story
2. Significance of the overall subject
3. Call-to-action (if applicable)