How to Write an Outline for a Five-Paragraph Essay

The five-paragraph essay writing model is a standard in education. Used to test a students ability to organize information and demonstrate understanding of basic writing skills. Complete a five-paragraph essay with an outline. Many students fail to create an outline and suffer with organizing their essay. Writing an outline only takes a few simple steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose an outline type. Different students prefer different methods of creating their outlines for a five-paragraph essay. The formal style uses Roman Numerals.

2. Review the topic. When a topic is assigned, read over it to make sure to fully understand it, or choose a topic of your own when allowed.

3. Write down the thesis statement. Rewrite the information in the topic into a focused idea using your own words.

4. Take a position in the essay. Choose an opinion showing support or disagreement with the topic. Come up with three subtopics defending the position and write them down in the appropriate section.

5. List subtopic in order from most important to the least important. Add evidence to support each subtopic listed. Note and include three facts as evidence of support.

6. Rewrite the conclusion. The conclusion restates the thesis again and should be different from the introduction. It should also restate the points of the subtopic.

Tips & Warnings

• Writing an outline practically writes the essay and saves time.
• The purpose of the outline is to help you get you thoughts in order and cement your ideas about the topic. The outline is flexible and should not prevent you from changing your essay when necessary.
• Never introduce new information into the conclusion of your five-paragraph essay.

Resources

• Find detailed info on preparing a five-paragraph essay.
• Find a sample outline here.

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