Outline your Paper

Purpose

The purpose of an outline is to help you organize your notes and thinking in preparation for the drafting process. Having an outline helps to keep you focused on proving your thesis statement rather than be derailed by peripheral information. It can also help you to begin drafting, especially if you struggle to get started on the writing process.

Types of Outlines

There are as many ways to create an outline as there are essays, depending on your style as a thinker and writer, your purpose, topic and the complexity of the subject. A common way to begin creating an outline is to brainstorm and use all your research notes to:

• list;
• classify;
• group; and
• number all discussion points.

This step will help you connect your ideas together to support the viewpoint you are putting forward in your thesis statement.

The resources listed below can help you organize your thinking and research so that you can begin drafting smoothly.

Key Resources
Sequence Chart This tool is useful for organizing your thinking with topics that are chronological or sequential.
Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer This organizer helps you not only compare and contrast articles, books, or other texts, but also prompts you to create categories or patterns for comparing.
Topical Paragraph Note Taking Grid This resource helps you plan out paragraph by paragraph the development of your essay as well as what each paragraph should contain.
Sample Paper Outline and Sample Paper Outline Blank This resource is helpful for those students who are linear and logical in their thinking, or who have a very clear idea of what they want to prove and what information is needed in order to prove it.