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Outlining as a Writing Tool

The following is a rough outline for writing an essay. The outline is divided into three parts, which can each include several paragraphs. Your essay does not need to be three paragraphs long! The following outline is divided into Part I: Introduction, Part II: Main Body Paragraphs (there can be many main body paragraphs in an essay), and Part III: Conclusion. Remember that this is only one way to write a paper, but it is a proven, effective one, especially when you are trying to structure and organize your ideas.

  1. Intro:  Introductory sentences funneling to Thesis. This section should clearly introduce your thesis and the main points you intend to use in support of it.

  2. Main Body Paragraphs

    Topic Sentence: Introductory sentence discussing the subject matter for the main body paragraph.

    Supporting examples for the Topic Sentence: Use examples from the original text or supporting material to strengthen your point.  Using phrases, such as "for instance" or "for example," helps the writer to signal the introduction of new ideas in the essay.  Follow these phrases with a quotation from the text or topic of discussion.

    Analyze the quotation cited: Explain and analyze the quote you used in the text and how it relates to your point.  What is significant about the quote?  Why should the audience care?  What does the quote establish- in terms of your essay?

    Wrap it up and tie back to thesis: Your main body paragraphs conclusive statements should relate back to your topic sentence, reaffirming that you have confirmed what you set out to prove.  Ultimately, the final sentence of a Main Body Paragraph relates to the Topic Sentence and reflects the thesis or components of the thesis.

  3. Conclusion:

    The first few sentences of the conclusion should touch upon the thesis.  The conclusion should include a brief discussion about the material covered in the essay- it is not, however, a summary of each main body paragraph!  The conclusion allows the writer to acknowledge a personal stance in the essay and often includes a reiteration of the thesis followed by a personal position on the subject matter.

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Strategies for Writing a Conclusion

Conclusions are often the most difficult part of an essay to write, and many writers feel that they have nothing left to say after having written the paper. A writer needs to keep in mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best.

A conclusion should

  • stress the importance of the thesis statement,

  • give the essay a sense of completeness, and

  • leave a final impression on the reader

  • prompt contemplation about the further implications of the material presented

 

Suggestions

Answer the question "So What?"
Show your readers why this paper was important, meaningful, and useful.


 Synthesize, don't summarize
Don't simply repeat your content! Show the reader how the points, support, and examples you used fit together.

Redirect your readers
Give your reader something to think about or perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world. If your introduction went from general to specific, make your conclusion go from specific to general.

Create a new meaning
You don't have to give new information to create a new meaning. By demonstrating how your ideas work together, you can create a new picture.

Strategies

Echo with a restatement of the introduction: Echoing your introduction can be a good strategy if it is meant to bring the reader full-circle. If you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario as proof that your essay was helpful in creating a new understanding.


Challenge the reader: By issuing a challenge to your readers, you are helping them to redirect the information in the paper, and possibly apply it to their own lives.

Example: Though serving on a jury is not only a civic responsibility but also an interesting experience, many people view jury duty as a chore that interrupts the routine of daily life. However, juries are part of America's attempt to be a free and just society.  Thus, jury duty challenges us to be interested and responsible citizens.

Pose questions: Posing questions, either to your readers or in general, may help your readers gain a new perspective on the topic. It may also unite your main ideas to create new meaning.

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