Sometimes during the course of your research, you will come across a piece of statistical evidence that would totally add poignancy to your paper. Remember, you’re writing an academic paper, not a novel! Keep in mind, these anecdotes should be very brief – just a few sentences long. Here’s where your creativity comes in handy! You can either use a true story from your research or write a hypothetical one. ( Bonus! You can come back to this question in your conclusion and recount how you have addressed it.)
In your outline, these would make up the three supporting points. You may want to add more detail to this statement later, but for now, you know the first point in your essay will discuss how dogs are friendly companions, your second point will assess canine intelligence, and your third point will contemplate cuteness. “Dogs are the best pets because they are friendly, intelligent, and cute.” However, at the beginning of the writing process when you may be feeling overwhelmed, a working thesis can help you decide how to organize the body of your paper.įor instance, if you are writing a five-paragraph essay about why you love dogs, your working thesis could be: This is basically a rough draft of your thesis statement, which you are completely free to change later. It is often helpful to write a “working thesis” before you form the rest of your outline. Thesis statements can be considered “mini-outlines.” In one straightforward sentence, they inform your reader of the main claim (or argument) in your paper, as well as at least three pieces of evidence you will use to support that claim. Here are three tips for how you can best make use of these elements to maximize your outline’s effectiveness. Still, there are some key elements that should be in any outline. That makes it difficult to propose a “one-size-fits-all” approach. However, even though most outlines follow a similar structure, there are about as many different ways to fill them in as there are different types of writers. You would then fill out this basic template with more detailed information for your particular paper. You will likely also include subpoints under each of these headings. Usually, you want at least five headings in your outline – an introduction, three supporting points, and a conclusion. An outline is essentially a road map to guide your writing.īefore you begin drafting, you create an outline to plan the order in which you will present your content. Whether you’re writing a five-paragraph essay or a major research project, knowing how to write an outline will help you remain organized and on track as you draft your work. Just about every writer, English teacher, or seasoned student would agree – outlining is an essential part of the writing process.