how to write an outline for a 5 page essay

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Outline of a 5 Page Paper

• Time to Write a 5 Page Paper?

Have you been required to write a 5 page paper?

What is the structure of a 5 page paper? How do you outline of a 5 page paper?

What academic writing skills do you need?

Note that academic papers usually vary in areas such as genre and their level of comprehensiveness.

This may demand different sets of writing skills.

For this reason, you need to understand the  different genres .

Accordingly, different genres vary in:

• Texts used,
• How the texts should be used, and
• How the texts should be structured

A 5 Page Paper

How long should it take to write a 5 page paper, introduction, how to create an outline of a 5 page paper.

• I. Introduction
• II. Background
• III. Point 1: Teenage pregnancy affects teenager’s physical health
• IV. Point 2: Teenage pregnancy affects teenager’s social health
• V. Point 3: Teenage pregnancy affects teenager’s mental health
• VI. Point 4: Physical, social, and mental health have direct impact on each other
• VII. Point 5: Teenage mothers are more predisposed to more stress and physical health
• VIII. Conclusion

1. Brainstorm on the topic

2. create a comprehensive outline, 3. start with the thesis and the body, 4. keep in mind the thesis when writing, 5. use transitions effectively, 6. rewrite and proofread your work.

A 5 page paper is a common assignment in learning institutions.

Writing it however requires and understanding of key writing knowledge and skills.

This understanding determines how comprehensive the 5 page paper will be.

The level of comprehensiveness encompasses the length and details of the academic paper’s content.

You have to be cognizant of the amount of details required.

Note that the difference in details can be manifested in the length of the academic paper.

For instance, details in a  500 words essay , 5 page paper, and a  10 page research paper  would vary widely even though they may be on a similar topic area.

Time management is key when writing a 5 page paper.

It is apparent that you need adequate time to write a quality academic paper.

This bring us to the question, “how long should it take to write a 5 page paper?”

Well, time required depends on the nature of the academic paper.

Note that a 5 page paper may assume different genres, including:

1.   Essays ,

2.  Research papers ,

3.   Reports , etc.

These genres usually require different amounts of time to execute.

For instance, research papers and reports may require more time to write compared to essays since they demand more extensive evidence and consequently more researching time.

So answers to the question on how much time it should take to write a 5 page paper are likely to vary depending on the requirements of the specific academic paper.

Time required to write a 5 page essay may not necessarily the same for a 5 page research paper or report.

Considering all the above factors, writing a 5 page paper could require between 10 and 48 hours.

It is therefore critical to plan your time wisely.

Note that despite the difference it time, the outline of a 5 page paper is fairly standard.

Basic Outline of a 5 Page Paper

The outline of a 5 page paper assumes the basic format for common academic papers.

Such an outline does not pay much attention to the length of the academic paper but rather considers the respective parts of the paper.

These parts include:

1. Introduction

3. Conclusion

Accordingly, the basic outline of a 5 page paper should be as illustrated below.

The introduction of an outline of a 5 page paper should constitute key elements, including:

1. An attention grabber

2. An overview of the entailed issues

3. Definition of key terminologies

4. Statement on the controversial nature of the subject (for  argumentative papers )

5. Topic’s background information

6. An antithesis (for argumentative papers)

Note that the introduction should also have a thesis statement as its last sentence(s).

The thesis statement should/ could:

1. Stipulate the paper’s overall focus

2. Briefly highlight the paper’s main points

In the outline of a 5 page paper, the body should do the following:

1. Present the points of the academic paper in line with the theses in a clear manner.

2. Provide details, examples, and explanations supporting the points.

3. Provide evidence from sources (for research papers), including summaries, paraphrases, quotations, etc.

4. Address counter arguments (for argumentative papers).

This is the last part in an outline of a 5 page paper.

1. Restate the thesis statement in the introductory part.

2. Provide a brief summary of all points in the body part.

3. Provide a statement on consequences of failing to embrace the positions (for argumentative papers).

4. Finish with a strong clincher statement.

It is advisable that you employ a standard approach when outlining your 5 page paper.

The most effective way of creating an outline of a 5 page paper therefore involves outlining each of the academic paper’s paragraphs.

Such outlining entail:

1. Developing a topic sentence for each paragraph

2. Identifying the purpose of each paragraph

3. Identifying repetitive ideas among the paragraphs

4. Determining paragraphs that may require combining or splitting

The above approach in outlining of an academic paper is very effective. This is because the topic sentence and purpose of each paragraph helps ensure that you remain on course and to the point.

Accordingly, the approach can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses of the academic paper.

Example of an Outline of a 5 Page Paper

Below is a 5 page paper example on the link between teenage pregnancy and health.

I.  Introduction

1. Problem : Teenage pregnancy rates remain consistently high while healthcare costs keep on rising.

2. Focus : Teenage mothers

3. Key terms : Teenage pregnancy, teenage mothers

Thesis statement :  Because of the parental responsibility (provide sources) and susceptibility to depression (provide sources), teenage mothers suffer a higher risk for mental health problems.

II.  Background

1. Historical overview of teenage pregnancy : Teenage mothers in the past did not experience extreme pressure from society (provide citation).

2. Historical overview of teenage mothers’ health:  In the past teenage mothers accessed adequate social, financial, and health support (citation).

3. Current link between teenage health and teenage pregnancy:  Nowadays, teenage mothers face more social, financial, and psychological pressure when raising their children (citations).

4. Research gap:  There is limited information on the health implications of the current societal conditions among teenage mothers.

III. Point 1 : Teenage pregnancy affects teenager’s physical health

1. Teenage pregnancy increases risk for pregnancy complications (citations).

2. Teenagers do not know how to watch changes in their health and health conditions (citations).

IV. Point 2 : Teenage pregnancy affects teenager’s social health

1. Teenage pregnancy comes along with social stigma (citations).

2. Teenage pregnancy exerts financial burden to the teenage and their families (citations).

V. Point 3 : Teenage pregnancy affects teenager’s mental health

1. Teenage pregnancy predisposes the teenager to stress and depression (citations).

2. Stress and depression are core causes of mental health issues (citations).

VI. Point 4 : Physical, social, and mental health have direct impact on each other

1. Mental health problems are correlated with social and physical health problems (citations).

2. Stress and depression can manifest themselves in physical form (citations).

VII. Point 5 : Teenage mothers are more predisposed to more stress and physical health

1.   Many teenage mothers lack adequate social and financial support (citations).

2. Financial and social problems often correlate with poor childcare, dropping out of school, unhealthy lifestyles, etc. (citations).

VIII.  Conclusion

1. Restatement of thesis : Teenage mothers are at a high risk for mental and physical health problems for the rest of their lives.

2. Clincher statement:  Society needs local educational campaigns; educators need to address this situation and seek methods for curbing teenage pregnancy in order to promote healthy lifestyles among teenagers, and should educate students on the impacts of teenage pregnancies.

Tips for Writing a 5 Page Paper

Now that you know how to develop the outline of a 5 page paper, you can go ahead and write the paper.

The writing process requires observing key tips.

Accordingly, some of the key tips you should observe when writing a 5 page paper include:

You should in great heights exercise your imagination and thinking on the academic paper topic under review.

Brainstorming is critical in providing a comprehensive picture of what you should be dealing with.

Remember to keep notes when brainstorming.

Key issues to deliberate on when brainstorming include:

1. The meaning the topic has to you.

2. The purpose of writing on the particular topic.

3. Potential challenges to come across when writing on the topic.

4. Potential solutions to these challenges.

5. Views of others on the topic.

6. Potential unique perspectives about the topic.

7. Availability of relevant sources.

Before writing, you should come up with a detailed outline of a 5 page paper.

The outline should guide you on the content to include, where it helps you effectively remain on course.

Note that outline making is a trial and error process that should allow you to experiment with different potential outlines before settling on the most appropriate.

Accordingly, when creating the outline you should come up with:

1. Thesis statement

2. Main points

It is advisable to write the thesis statement first.

You should then write the body before going ahead to write the introduction and finishing with the conclusion.

You should always consider the thesis when writing every single paragraph and sentence of the 5 page paper.

It is necessary to note that all your work must converge towards the thesis.

Transitions should be well used throughout the 5 page paper.

Transitions within the main point, between the main points/ paragraphs, and between examples/ evidence should be used appropriately.

Such use is essential in enhancing the flow of the academic paper.

It is important to go through the 5 page paper to help determine whether all information included is relevant and adequate.

Remove meaningless information and supplement the inadequate one.

Also, correct writing errors and ensure that the paper flows effectively.

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How to Write an Outline in 5 Steps

An outline is an organizational tool you use to keep track of all the topics and points you plan to include in a piece of writing. Knowing how to make an outline is a great advantage when you’re doing any kind of writing, from research papers to creative writing. 

Still, many students and writers don’t know how to do an outline or understand the proper outline format. So below, we explain how to write an outline, with a step-by-step guide and a formal outline example. But first, let’s start with a simple question: What does it mean to “make an outline”?

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Table of contents

What is an outline in writing, why create an outline, outline structure: what is the outline format, outline format example: what does an outline look like , how to write an outline in 5 steps, outline faqs.

An outline is like a blueprint for writing . Simple outlines list the topics you plan to cover and the order they will go in. Outlines are usually broken up by paragraphs along with their supporting details like statistical data or logical evidence. When it’s time to write the first draft, the writer simply follows the outline so they know what to write about and in what order. 

Topic outlines let you focus exclusively on the structure and fitting everything in the right place. That way, when you’re writing the first draft, you can focus on details like sentence structure and clarity without getting distracted by the big picture. 

Knowing how to write an outline for a paper is particularly important if you want to keep track of your prior research. When outlining, you can decide the best way to put your findings into sections and paragraphs. The outline not only organizes your research but also ensures you don’t forget anything when writing the first draft. 

Easy outlines are structured by paragraph : You list the topic of each paragraph along with a few bullet points about what goes into that paragraph. This allows you to easily rearrange the order of the paragraphs to find the perfect arrangement before you begin writing. 

The standard outline format uses an alphanumeric system, which alternates letters and numerals at the start of each section. 

• Main topics like sections or chapters are listed as Roman numerals. 
• Paragraphs are usually listed as capital letters.
• Points and subtopics within a paragraph are listed as Arabic numerals.
• Specific details are listed as lower-case letters.

The content of the outline is generally written in blurbs—you don’t need to use complete sentences, although if you’re working as a team, using full sentences can help other people understand your ideas better and vice versa. 

Standard outline format has a distinct indentation. Roman numeral lines are not indented, capital letter lines are indented once, Arabic numeral lines are indented twice, and lower-case letter lines are indented three times. 

So you can see what an outline should look like, here’s an example of a writing outline for this section of this article. 

III. Outline structure

A. Overview about outline structure 

1. explain basic structure of outline

2. reiterate how outlines help with paragraph order

B. Alphanumeric system

1. introduce the alphanumeric system

a. bullet list of each line in alphanumeric system

C. Content written in blurbs

1. exceptions for sharing with teams

D. Outline indentation

E. Outline example

1. example outline of this section

As you can see, you use only the lines you need—not every paragraph needs markers for subtopics, and not every subtopic needs specific details. 

It’s also worth noting that there is no official structure for outlining. For example, if you’re using longer paragraphs, you might want to use Roman numerals as the paragraph marker. The above example is simply the most common and easiest format to follow, but you’re free to structure your outline however seems most reasonable to you. 

Knowing how to create an outline for an essay or another piece of writing is impossible if you don’t know what an outline looks like. 

We’ve already written articles about essay outlines and argumentative essay outlines in particular, but that doesn’t cover everything. So below we’ve included an outline example of a five-paragraph essay comparing the pros and cons of social media. 

I. Does the harm of social media outweigh the benefits?

A. Introduction

1. briefly mention background of social media

a. specific examples like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

2. explain how social media is a major part of modern people’s lives

3. end with a teaser about whether or not social media is actually good

B. The advantages of social media

1. increased socialization

a. “Many respondents in this study used their social networks to make friends, chat with them, conduct research, and share news or information.” ( Awareness and Usage of Social Media study)

2. raise awareness of social issues

a. list causes that benefited from social media ( Maryville article ) 

3. entertainment value

C. The disadvantages of social media

1. negative effect on self-esteem

a. Facebook knowingly harming teenage girls ( Guardian article )

2. echo chamber effect

a.“Social media may limit the exposure to diverse perspectives and favor the formation of groups of like-minded users framing and reinforcing a shared narrative, that is, echo chambers.” ( The echo chamber effect on social media study)

D. It’s how you use it

1. research shows both good and bad effects

a. “. . . some research finds that SNS use and self-esteem are negatively associated, while some find that they are positively associated.” ( Social networking site use and self-esteem study)

2. ways to mitigate disadvantages

a. limit time on social media per day

b. choose only positive platforms

c. learn to recognize and avoid triggers

E. Conclusion

1. draw parallels to TV 

a. TV can also be positive or negative depending on usage

2. reiterate healthy methods for social media use

Want to know how to create an outline for an essay, academic paper, or even a piece of creative writing? Here’s how to make an outline in five simple, easy-to-follow steps. 

1 Research and gather sources

The first step in any writing process is preparation. For academic writing , that involves researching and collecting evidence to back up your thesis. For creative writing , that means brainstorming and coming up with ideas. 

Once you know what you want to write about, you can start to plan your outline. You can always add new content later if inspiration strikes you, but generally the more content you prepare at the beginning, the smoother the rest of the writing process will go. 

2 Make a list of the topics you want to cover

When you know what you want to write, whether it’s a researched argument or creative content, the next step is to organize it. The most common and effective way to organize topics is by paragraph. 

Take all your research or creative ideas and group them into separate topics. Remember that each paragraph should deal with only one main topic, so be sure to group everything with their related themes. Don’t forget to connect details like statistical data to their most relevant paragraph topic. 

3   Consider the best order to discuss the topics

By now you should have a scattered list of topics, ideally divided by paragraph. Your next step is to decide the optimal order the paragraphs should go in. 

Consider whether a topic requires some background information or if the reader will understand it right away. Some topics should be discussed early to prepare the reader for more advanced topics later on. If you’re having trouble deciding, chronological order also works fine. 

Make the backbone of your outline by putting the topics in the order you think will work best. Think of this as the first draft of your outline—you’ll be able to move things around later if you don’t like how it’s organized. 

4 Fill in the details

When you’re satisfied with the structure of your paragraphs, you can start filling in supporting details like quotes and references to sources. As you may have noticed from the standard outline format example above, it’s helpful to include direct quotes and source material links directly in the outline. This makes it easier to find the source material when you’re writing the first draft—and gives you one less thing to worry about. 

After you create a working outline, you can review it for areas to improve. Sometimes, when you see your topics listed out, you recognize problematic areas. Maybe you don’t have enough evidence for certain points, or maybe your writing would flow better if the paragraph order was rearranged. 

It can be helpful to have someone else review the outline to notice things you haven’t, although that’s not always necessary. Sleeping on it, or taking a fresh look at your outline after a rest,  can also help you notice problems you missed before. 

What is an outline?

An outline is a supportive document for organizing all the topics in a piece of writing before the first draft. Think of an outline as a blueprint; a writer can simply follow the outline as they write so they don’t forget to include anything. 

When should you use an outline?

Outlines are useful for all forms of writing, from academic papers to creative writing. They help compartmentalize the stages of the writing process: When writing the outline, you can focus exclusively on the structure and big picture; when writing the first draft, you can focus on writing details without being distracted by organizational concerns. 

What are the parts of an outline?

Typically, outlines are broken up into sections and paragraphs, with the relevant points or evidence listed under their respective topics. This makes it easy for writers to rearrange the paragraph order if they decide to change the structure. 

Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 28, 2024

A Complete Essay Outline - Guidelines and Format

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 15, 2019

To write an effective essay, you need to create a clear and well-organized essay outline. An essay outline will shape the essay’s entire content and determine how successful the essay will be.

In this blog post, we'll be going over the basics of essay outlines and provide a template for you to follow. We will also include a few examples so that you can get an idea about how these outlines look when they are put into practice.

Essay writing is not easy, but it becomes much easier with time, practice, and a detailed essay writing guide. Once you have developed your outline, everything else will come together more smoothly.

The key to success in any area is preparation - take the time now to develop a solid outline and then write your essays!

So, let’s get started!

On this Page

What is an Essay Outline?

An essay outline is your essay plan and a roadmap to essay writing. It is the structure of an essay you are about to write. It includes all the main points you have to discuss in each section along with the thesis statement.

Like every house has a map before it is constructed, the same is the importance of an essay outline. You can write an essay without crafting an outline, but you may miss essential information, and it is more time-consuming.

Once the outline is created, there is no chance of missing any important information. Also, it will help you to:

• Organize your thoughts and ideas.
• Understand the information flow.
• Never miss any crucial information or reference.
• Finish your work faster.

These are the reasons if someone asks you why an essay outline is needed. Now there are some points that must be kept in mind before proceeding to craft an essay outline.

Easily Outline Your Essays In Seconds!

Prewriting Process of Essay Outline

Your teacher may ask you to submit your essay outline before your essay. Therefore, you must know the preliminary guidelines that are necessary before writing an essay outline.

Here are the guidelines:

• You must go through your assignments’ guidelines carefully.
• Understand the purpose of your assignment.
• Know your audience.
• Mark the important point while researching your topic data.
• Select the structure of your essay outline; whether you are going to use a decimal point bullet or a simple one.

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How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Steps

Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in crafting a well-structured and organized piece of writing. Follow these four simple steps to create an effective outline:

Step 1: Understand the Topic

To begin, thoroughly grasp the essence of your essay topic. 

Break it down into its key components and identify the main ideas you want to convey. This step ensures you have a clear direction and focus for your essay.

Step 2: Brainstorm and Gather Ideas

Let your creativity flow and brainstorm ideas related to your topic. 

Jot down key pieces of information, arguments, and supporting evidence that will strengthen your essay's overall message. Consider different perspectives and potential counterarguments to make your essay well-rounded.

Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts

Now it's time to give structure to your ideas. 

Arrange your main points in a logical order, starting with an attention-grabbing introduction, followed by body paragraphs that present your arguments. 

Finally, tie everything together with a compelling conclusion. Remember to use transitional phrases to create smooth transitions between sections.

Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints

To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point. 

These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

By following these four steps - you'll be well on your way to creating a clear and compelling essay outline.

Essay Outline Format

It is an easy way for you to write your thoughts in an organized manner. It may seem unnecessary and unimportant, but it is not.

It is one of the most crucial steps for essay writing as it shapes your entire essay and aids the writing process.

An essay outline consists of three main parts:

1. Introduction

The introduction body of your essay should be attention-grabbing. It should be written in such a manner that it attracts the reader’s interest. It should also provide background information about the topic for the readers.

You can use a dramatic tone to grab readers’ attention, but it should connect the audience to your thesis statement.

Here are some points without which your introduction paragraph is incomplete.

To attract the reader with the first few opening lines, we use a hook statement. It helps engage the reader and motivates them to read further. There are different types of hook sentences ranging from quotes, rhetorical questions to anecdotes and statistics, and much more.

Are you struggling to come up with an interesting hook? View these hook examples to get inspired!

A thesis statement is stated at the end of your introduction. It is the most important statement of your entire essay. It summarizes the purpose of the essay in one sentence.

The thesis statement tells the readers about the main theme of the essay, and it must be strong and clear. It holds the entire crux of your essay.

Need help creating a strong thesis statement? Check out this guide on thesis statements and learn to write a statement that perfectly captures your main argument!

2. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an essay are where all the details and evidence come into play. This is where you dive deep into the argument, providing explanations and supporting your ideas with solid evidence. 

If you're writing a persuasive essay, these paragraphs will be the powerhouse that convinces your readers. Similarly, in an argumentative essay, your body paragraphs will work their magic to sway your audience to your side.

Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and no more than one idea. A topic sentence is the crux of the contents of your paragraph. It is essential to keep your reader interested in the essay.

The topic sentence is followed by the supporting points and opinions, which are then justified with strong evidence.

3. Conclusion

When it comes to wrapping up your essay, never underestimate the power of a strong conclusion. Just like the introduction and body paragraphs, the conclusion plays a vital role in providing a sense of closure to your topic. 

To craft an impactful conclusion, it's crucial to summarize the key points discussed in the introduction and body paragraphs. You want to remind your readers of the important information you shared earlier. But keep it concise and to the point. Short, powerful sentences will leave a lasting impression.

Remember, your conclusion shouldn't drag on. Instead, restate your thesis statement and the supporting points you mentioned earlier. And here's a pro tip: go the extra mile and suggest a course of action. It leaves your readers with something to ponder or reflect on.

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Structure

An outline is an essential part of the writing as it helps the writer stay focused. A typical 5 paragraph essay outline example is shown here. This includes:

• State the topic
• Thesis statement
• Introduction
• Explanation
• A conclusion that ties to the thesis
• Summary of the essay
• Restate the thesis statement

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Essay Outline Template

The outline of the essay is the skeleton that you will fill out with the content. Both outline and relevant content are important for a good essay. The content you will add to flesh out the outline should be credible, relevant, and interesting.

The outline structure for the essay is not complex or difficult. No matter which type of essay you write, you either use an alphanumeric structure or a decimal structure for the outline.

Below is an outline sample that you can easily follow for your essay.

Essay Outline Sample

Essay Outline Examples

An essay outline template should follow when you start writing the essay. Every writer should learn how to write an outline for every type of essay and research paper.

Essay outline 4th grade

Essay outline 5th grade

Essay outline high school

Essay outline college

Given below are essay outline examples for different types of essay writing.

Argumentative Essay Outline

An  argumentative essay  is a type of essay that shows both sides of the topic that you are exploring. The argument that presents the basis of the essay should be created by providing evidence and supporting details.

Persuasive Essay Outline

A  persuasive essay  is similar to an argumentative essay. Your job is to provide facts and details to create the argument. In a persuasive essay, you convince your readers of your point of view.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

A  compare and contrast essay  explains the similarities and differences between two things. While comparing, you should focus on the differences between two seemingly similar objects. While contrasting, you should focus on the similarities between two different objects.

Narrative Essay Outline

A narrative essay is written to share a story. Normally, a narrative essay is written from a personal point of view in an essay. The basic purpose of the narrative essay is to describe something creatively.

Expository Essay Outline

An  expository essay  is a type of essay that explains, analyzes, and illustrates something for the readers. An expository essay should be unbiased and entirely based on facts. Be sure to use academic resources for your research and cite your sources.

Analytical Essay Outline

An  analytical essay  is written to analyze the topic from a critical point of view. An analytical essay breaks down the content into different parts and explains the topic bit by bit.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

A rhetorical essay is written to examine the writer or artist’s work and develop a great essay. It also includes the discussion.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

A  cause and effect essay  describes why something happens and examines the consequences of an occurrence or phenomenon. It is also a type of expository essay.

Informative Essay Outline

An  informative essay  is written to inform the audience about different objects, concepts, people, issues, etc.

The main purpose is to respond to the question with a detailed explanation and inform the target audience about the topic.

Synthesis Essay Outline

A  synthesis essay  requires the writer to describe a certain unique viewpoint about the issue or topic. Create a claim about the topic and use different sources and information to prove it.

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

A  literary analysis essay  is written to analyze and examine a novel, book, play, or any other piece of literature. The writer analyzes the different devices such as the ideas, characters, plot, theme, tone, etc., to deliver his message.

Definition Essay Outline

A  definition essay  requires students to pick a particular concept, term, or idea and define it in their own words and according to their understanding.

Descriptive Essay Outline

A  descriptive essay  is a type of essay written to describe a person, place, object, or event. The writer must describe the topic so that the reader can visualize it using their five senses.

Evaluation Essay Outline

Problem Solution Essay Outline

In a problem-solution essay, you are given a problem as a topic and you have to suggest multiple solutions on it.

Scholarship Essay Outline

A  scholarship essay  is required at the time of admission when you are applying for a scholarship. Scholarship essays must be written in a way that should stand alone to help you get a scholarship.

Reflective Essay Outline

A reflective essay  is written to express your own thoughts and point of view regarding a specific topic.

Getting started on your essay? Give this comprehensive essay writing guide a read to make sure you write an effective essay!

With this complete guide, now you understand how to create an outline for your essay successfully. However, if you still can’t write an effective essay, then the best option is to consult a professional academic writing service.

Essay writing is a dull and boring task for some people. So why not get some help instead of wasting your time and effort?  5StarEssays.com is here to help you. All your  do my essay for me  requests are managed by professional essay writers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of outlines.

Here are the three types of essay outline;

• Working outline
• Speaking outline
• Full-sentence outline

All three types are different from each other and are used for different purposes.

What does a full-sentence outline look like?

A full sentence outline contains full sentences at each level of the essay’s outline. It is similar to an alphanumeric outline and it is a commonly used essay outline.

What is a traditional outline format?

A traditional essay outline begins with writing down all the important points in one place and listing them down and adding sub-topics to them. Besides, it will also include evidence and proof that you will use to back your arguments.

What is the benefit of using a traditional outline format and an informal outline format?

A traditional outline format helps the students in listing down all the important details in one palace while an informal outline will help you coming up with new ideas and highlighting important points

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab College of Liberal Arts

Types of Outlines and Samples

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Alphanumeric Outlines

This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:

• Roman Numerals
• Capitalized Letters
• Arabic Numerals
• Lowercase Letters

If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

The sample PDF in the Media Box above is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.

What is the assignment?

Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.

Full Sentence Outlines

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of the outline. This outline is most often used when preparing a traditional essay. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Decimal Outlines

The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.