Outline Format
for a Five-Paragraph Essay (or piece of writing)
Christine Bauer-Ramazani
NOTE: Outline points are
usually in phrase form, e.g. Adj + N + Prep + N (= Noun Phrase) or
parallel verb phrases. The following numbering system is standard
and should be followed for outline assignments.
____________________________________________
Title of Essay
I. Introduction
A.
Background information (interesting facts,
statistics, rhetorical questions)
1.
_________________________________
2.
_________________________________
B. Thesis
Statement: (Write the sentence in full. Include Topic, Controlling Idea, 3 Aspects/Focal Points.)
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________.
II.
________________________________________
(Main idea/aspect # 1)
A.
___________________________________
(Supporting idea #1)
1. ________________________________
(Example/detail)
2.
________________________________
(Example/detail)
B.
___________________________________
(Supporting idea #2)
1. ________________________________
(Example/detail)
2. ________________________________
(Example/detail)
III.
______________________________________
(Main idea/aspect # 2)
A.
_________________________________
(Supporting idea #1)
1.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
2.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
B.
________________________________
(Supporting idea #2)
1.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
2.
_____________________________
(Example/detail)
IV. ___________________________________
(Main idea/aspect # 3)
A.
_________________________________
(Supporting idea #1)
1.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
2.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
B.
_________________________________
(Supporting idea #2)
1.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
2.
______________________________
(Example/detail)
V.
Conclusion
A.
______________________________________________________
(Restatement of the thesis/summary of aspects)
B. ___________________________________
(Outlook for the future/Recommendations)
© 2006
Christine Bauer-Ramazani, Saint Michael's
College. Last updated:
October 15, 2019 |