Unit 4: Fundamentals of Academic Essay Writing
26 Writing a Detailed Outline
Preview Questions:
- How is a detailed outline different from a rough outline?
- What information should be included in a detailed outline?
- Why are detailed outlines important? How can they help you as a writer?
- What are some possible formats of detailed outlines? Which format do you typically use?
Introduction to Detailed Outlines
A detailed outline helps you plan your essay before you write your first draft. A detailed outline works like a guide or plan for writing your essay. It helps you see:
- what each paragraph will be about
- what evidence you will use
- how your ideas are organized
What does a detailed outline include?
A detailed outline usually includes:
- your research question
- your thesis statement
- topic sentences for each body paragraph
- evidence (quotes or paraphrases) for each supporting point
- citations to show where each piece of evidence comes from
What are detailed outlines important?
A detailed outline is a tool for organizing ideas. A detailed outline helps you:
- stay focused on your main ideas
- organize your ideas clearly and logically
- see if you have enough evidence
- write your draft faster and with less stress
You can change your detailed outline while writing. For example, you may change the order of ideas, add new information, or remove weak or unnecessary points.
Common Outline Formats
Example 1: An alphanumeric outline
One common format is the alphanumeric outline. This type of outline is easy to create using the Outline feature in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Research Question:
I. Introduction:
A. Opening statements (to engage the reader and introduce the topic)
B. Thesis statement
II. First supporting point (topic sentence)
A. Evidence 1 (with citation)
B. Evidence 2 (with citation)
C. Evidence 3 (with citation)
III. Second supporting point (topic sentence)
A. Evidence 1 (with citation)
B. Evidence 2 (with citation)
C. Evidence 3 (with citation)
IV. Conclusion
A. Reminders/Summary of main ideas
B. Final analysis or interpretation of main point
C. Ending comment (opinion, prediction, recommendation, etc.)
Other Acceptable Formats
It does not matter whether you use numbers, letters, bullets, or other symbols; what is important is that you use a reasonable, clear visual method to represent your overall organization and hierarchy of main ideas and supporting ideas.
Here are additional examples, which accomplish the same goal as the outline above:
Example 2
Research question:
Introduction:
Opening statements (introduce the topic):
Thesis statement:
Body Paragraph 1 (Supporting Point):
Topic sentence:
Evidence 1 (paraphrase with citation):
Evidence 2 (paraphrase with citation):
Evidence 3 (paraphrase with citation):
Body Paragraph 2 (Supporting Point):
Topic sentence:
Evidence 1 (paraphrase with citation):
Evidence 2 (paraphrase with citation):
Evidence 3 (paraphrase with citation):
Conclusion:
Final analysis or interpretation:
Ending comment (opinion, prediction, or recommendation):
Example 3
Research question:
- Introduction:
- Opening statements (to engage the reader and introduce the topic):
- Thesis statement:
- (Body) First supporting point (topic sentence):
- Evidence 1: Paraphrase (with citation):
- Evidence 2: Paraphrase (with citation):
- Evidence 3: Paraphrase (with citation):
- (Body) Second supporting point (topic sentence):
- Evidence 1: Paraphrase (with citation):
- Evidence 2: Paraphrase (with citation):
- Evidence 3: Paraphrase (with citation):
- Conclusion:
- Final analysis or interpretation of main point:
- Ending comment (an opinion, a prediction, a recommendation, etc):
Key Takeaways
- A rough outline helps you decide what to write about.
- A detailed outline helps you decide how to write the essay.
- A detailed outline includes the research question, thesis, topic sentences, evidence, and citations.
- Detailed outlines help you organize ideas, stay focused, and write more easily.
- You can change your detailed outline as you write and revise your essay.
