BASIC ESSAY OUTLINE
This is a basic outline for a five-paragraph essay. For more information on writing essays and/or writing in general, please consult my Writer's F-Key. There I have links to tools and sites useful to writers of all genres.
I. Introduction (first paragraph)
- Introductory statements
- Thesis statement
- Introduce supporting ideas (optional)
II. Body (three paragraphs)
- First supporting idea
- Transition, topic sentence
- Discussion, examples, and analysis
- Conclusion (optional)
- Second supporting idea
- Transition, topic sentence
- Discussion, examples, and analysis
- Conclusion (optional)
- Third supporting idea
- Transition, topic sentence
- Discussion, examples, and analysis
- Conclusion (optional)
III. Conclusion (final paragraph)
- Transition, statement reflecting back on thesis
- Restate key points
- Ending statement that provokes thought (optional)