Essay Outlines: Types and Benefits

Outline Meaning

• An outline is a tool used in the writing process to organize thoughts before writing an essay or formal paper.
• Outlines provide a way to visualize the essay and reorganize information.
• The outline helps ensure a well-formatted essay that flows cohesively.

Types of Outlines

• Alphanumeric outlines use Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, and lowercase letters with indentations.
  • They use fragmented ideas written in shorthand.
• Full-sentence outlines are similar to alphanumeric outlines but use full sentences.
  • Using full sentences can makes writing the actual essay easier.
• Decimal outlines use decimal points to denote new ideas.
  • Each subheading relates to the main heading for ease of understanding.

Why Outline?

• Outlines provide a general road map for the paper.
• Writing the essay becomes easier with a clear organization of ideas.
• Outlines allow for information grouping and rearrangement before writing.
• Outlines help ensure details are not left out and that the paper flows well.
• Writers can omit any information that does not fit the essay.

How to Write an Outline

• Conduct research to establish a purpose and audience for the essay.
• Write a thesis statement or objective to guide the paper's focus.
• List main points and create topic sentences for each paragraph.
• Add supporting details and analysis for each main point.
• Organize points into introduction, body, and conclusion sections.
  • The introduction introduces the information.
  • The conclusion summarizes the information without new content.

Full Sentence Outline Example

• Introduction: Introduce a Topic
  • Vaccines are a key component to the health of children and adults.
  • Diseases, such as mumps and rubella, have been nearly eradicated with the use of vaccines in the United States.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine should be mandated in schools because it will provide a safe environment, promote herd immunity and many vaccines are already mandated.
• Body Paragraph 1: A Safe Environment
  • The COVID-19 vaccine protects the older adults they have contact with who are at risk for developing severe complications.
  • Children are in close contact with other kids, where it can spread easily.
  • Children may be asymptomatic and not know they are infectious.
• Body Paragraph 2: Promote Herd Immunity
  • Increasing the vaccination rate in children will increase herd immunity.
  • Herd immunity will reduce community spread overall.
  • Herd immunity will reduce the need for masks and social distancing.
• Body Paragraph 3: Other vaccines are required by law
  • Some vaccines are already mandated by law for children to be in the school setting.
  • Vaccines for MMR, polio, and hepatitis A are required in certain states.
  • Mandating vaccines is an established policy for disease prevention.
• Conclusion: Summary
  • Vaccines are safe and effective at keeping children in school.
  • Vaccines increase herd immunity.
  • Vaccines will help eradicate COVID-19 by keeping in-school transmission to a minimum.