essay scratch outline example

The Scratch Outline

An outline is a way of dividing a subject into its major parts, of dividing these in turn into subparts, and so on, into finer and finer detail. There are formal outlines, which are usually turned in with a composition and even serve as compositions in their own right. And there are informal outlines, often called "working" or "scratch" outlines. The formal variety follows rules that prescribe the alternating use of numbers and letters and the way in which the analysis must proceed. But formal outlines and their rules will not concern us here.

Our interest is in the scratch outline, which serves only the writer 's use and may be cast in any form that works. Begin by asking: What are the major sections of my composition? For example:

I. Beginning

II. How attitudes toward sex, love, and marriage in the differ from those in the

III. Why the differences occurred

IV. Closing

Now apply a similar question to each major section: Beginning

A. Identify subject and establish the reasons for the change rather than on the change itself

B. Quality and limit: attitudes in question are the predominating ones, those which set the tone of a generation

II. How attitudes toward sex, love, and marriage differ in the 1990s from those in the

A. permissive, less promiscuous

B. not so completely a preemptive good

C. calculating, rational; avoid early marriage, first get career on track

A. Feminism—more job opportunities for women and greater independence; also stronger sense of their own worth—all this weakens the allure of love and marriage

B. Tighter economy—future has to be planned more carefully, less room for romantic illusions

C. More self-centered view of life—partly a result of the two conditions above, but becomes a cause in its own right

A. The attitudes of the nineties more realistic, less prone to disillusion

B. But perhaps idealism has been sacrificed, or weakened, and the prevailing materialism is too ready to sell the world short

Thus the analysis could go on: the A's and B's broken down, examples introduced, comparisons offered, and so on. Generally, it is better to proceed with the analysis one step at a time, as in the example above. This keeps the whole subject better in mind and is more likely to preserve a reasonable balance. If you exhaustively analyze category I before moving on to II, then carry II down to detail before tackling III, you may lose sight of the overall structure of the composition.

How far you take a scratch outline depends on the length of your composition and obviously on your willingness to spend time in planning. But the more planning you do, the easier the actual writing will be. A good scratch outline suggests where possible paragraph breaks might come, and the ideas you have jotted down in the headings are the germs of topic statements and supporting sentences.

But however you proceed and however far you carry the scratch outline, remember that as a plan it is only tentative, subject to change. And the odds are that you will change it. No matter how much you think about a subject or how thoroughly you plan, the actuality of writing opens up unforeseen possibilities and reveals the weakness of points that seemed important. A scratch outline is a guide, but a guide you should never hesitate to change.

Continue reading here: Drafts and Revisions

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Readers' Questions

What is the difference between a scratch list and an outline?

A scratch list is a simple, informal list of ideas or notes that may or may not have a specific order or structure. It is often used as a brainstorming tool to jot down ideas quickly without worrying about organization or completeness. An outline, on the other hand, is a more structured and formal document that lays out the main points or topics of a piece of writing or presentation in a logical order. It typically includes headings, subheadings, and bullet points to indicate the hierarchy and relationships between different ideas. In summary, a scratch list is more casual and unstructured, while an outline is more organized and detailed. An outline is often used as a planning tool to help guide the development of a more comprehensive piece of work, while a scratch list is typically used as a starting point for generating ideas.

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the scratch outline for a composition?

The scratch outline is a simple and rough outline that helps to organize ideas before writing the final draft of a composition.

What does giving an outline mean in scratch?

In Scratch, giving an outline refers to creating a general plan or structure for a project before starting to code. It involves organizing ideas, determining the order of steps, and setting goals for the project. The outline can include information about the different sprites, their behaviors, and the interactions between them. It helps to clarify the project's scope and make the coding process smoother by providing a roadmap for development.

How to write a scracth outline?

To write a scratch outline, follow these steps: Understand the topic: Start by gaining a clear understanding of the topic you are writing about. Read any relevant material or conduct research to gather necessary information. Identify the main points: Identify the key ideas or arguments you want to cover in your outline. These should be the main points that will form the backbone of your writing. Organize the main points: Determine the logical order in which you will present the main points. You can use bullet points or numbering to list them in a structured manner. Add supporting details: Under each main point, add supporting details or sub-points. These can include evidence, examples, statistics, or any relevant information that strengthens your main points. Arrange sub-points: Organize the sub-points under each main point in a logical and coherent manner. You can use indentation or a hierarchical structure to denote the relationship between the main points and their supporting details. Review and refine: Take a step back and review your scratch outline. Ensure that it flows smoothly and makes sense. Make any necessary revisions to refine the outline, adding or removing points as needed. Optional: Add transitions and introductory/concluding statements: If you wish, you can also incorporate transition statements between main points to create a cohesive flow. You may also include an introductory statement at the beginning and a concluding statement at the end to provide an overview and closure to your writing. Remember, a scratch outline serves as a rough framework for your writing. It helps you organize your thoughts and establish the structure of your work.

How to make a scratch in a paragraph?

To make a scratch in a paragraph, you can follow these steps: Start by locating the specific paragraph where you want to make the scratch. Read through the paragraph and identify the part you want to scratch. Identify the key point or sentence within the paragraph that you want to emphasize or challenge. This could be a claim, an argument, or a statement that you want to question or counter. Insert a scratch or strike-through mark over the word or phrase you want to scratch. You can do this either by hand (if you have a physical copy) or using a word processing software if you are working on a digital document. If you are scratching a printed copy, lightly draw a horizontal line through the word or phrase using a pen or pencil. Be careful not to make the line too heavy or messy, as it may affect the readability of the paragraph. If you are working on a digital document, select the word or phrase you want to scratch and use the formatting tools in your word processing software to apply a scratch or strike-through effect. This is usually found in the font or text formatting options. Once you have scratched the paragraph, it’s essential to provide an explanation or alternative argument to support your point. This is especially crucial if you are doing this for academic or professional purposes to ensure that your scratch is clear and meaningful. Remember, scratching a paragraph is a form of highlighting or challenging a particular point. It can be used to convey disagreement or skepticism, but it should be done respectfully and backed up with valid arguments or evidence to contribute to the overall discourse.

What is preparing a scratch outline in prewriting?

Preparing a scratch outline in prewriting involves creating a rough and basic outline of the main ideas and key points that will be covered in a piece of writing. This can be done by brainstorming, organizing thoughts, and determining the overall structure of the writing. Some key steps to follow when preparing a scratch outline in prewriting include: Analyzing the topic or writing prompt: Understand the purpose of the writing and the main points that need to be addressed. Brainstorming ideas: Write down all the relevant ideas, information, and arguments that come to mind. These can be in the form of phrases, keywords, or short sentences. Grouping similar ideas: Look for common themes or ideas and group them together. This will help in organizing thoughts and making connections between different points. Ordering the ideas: Determine the logical flow or sequence in which the ideas should be presented. Identify the main points or arguments that need to be discussed and arrange them in a logical order. Adding supporting details: Under each main point, include any supporting evidence, examples, or sub-points that further develop the main idea. Reviewing and refining the outline: Read through the outline and make any necessary changes or adjustments. Ensure that the overall structure makes sense and that the main points are clear and well-supported. Preparing a scratch outline in prewriting is a useful tool that helps writers organize their thoughts, clarify their main points, and create a structured framework for their writing.

How wide should scratch line be?

There is no standard width for a scratch line, as it can vary depending on the purpose and context. In general, a scratch line is typically thin and narrow, representing a quick mark or indication. It can range from a hairline width to a few millimeters, depending on the desired effect. Ultimately, the width of a scratch line is subjective and can be adjusted based on personal preference or artistic intent.

What is the correct format for an informal or scratch outline?

An informal or scratch outline typically follows a looser structure compared to a formal outline. It serves as a rough guide, providing a general overview of the main points and ideas that will be included in an essay or writing piece. The format can vary depending on personal preferences, but here is a common structure for an informal or scratch outline: I. Introduction A. Hook or attention-grabbing opening line B. Background information or context C. Thesis statement or main argument/idea II. Main Point 1 A. Supporting detail 1 B. Supporting detail 2 C. Supporting detail 3 III. Main Point 2 A. Supporting detail 1 B. Supporting detail 2 C. Supporting detail 3 IV. Main Point 3 A. Supporting detail 1 B. Supporting detail 2 C. Supporting detail 3 V. Conclusion A. Restate thesis statement B. Summarize main points C. Closing thoughts or final remarks Remember, an informal or scratch outline is not as detailed or strict compared to a formal outline. It is designed to give you a basic structure to follow while allowing flexibility during the writing process. Feel free to modify or expand upon the outline as needed while you develop your ideas.

Why is outlining such an important prewriting activity?

Outlining is an important prewriting activity for several reasons: Structure and organization: Outlining helps to organize and structure your thoughts, ideas, and arguments in a logical order. It allows you to establish a clear and coherent flow of information, ensuring that your writing is easy to follow and understand. Without an outline, you might end up with a jumbled and confusing piece of writing. Clarity and focus: Outlining helps you clarify your main points and ensures that you stay focused on your topic. It allows you to identify the key ideas and supporting details, enabling you to present them in a focused and concise manner. Without an outline, your writing might lack clarity and wander off-topic. Time-saving: Outlining saves time by helping you organize your thoughts before you start writing. It provides a roadmap for your writing process, helping you stay on track and avoid unnecessary digressions. Additionally, having a clear outline allows you to write more efficiently and effectively, as you already know what information to include and in what order. Identifying gaps or weaknesses: By creating an outline, you can easily identify any gaps or weaknesses in your arguments or ideas. It allows you to critically evaluate the coherence and strength of your thought process. If you notice any flaws in your outline, you can revise and refine your points before investing time in writing a full draft. Revision tool: An outline serves as a useful tool for revising and editing your work. It allows you to review your structure, identify areas that need improvement, and ensure that your main ideas are well-supported. Additionally, if you receive feedback from others, an outline can help you make targeted revisions without having to rework the entire piece. Overall, outlining acts as a blueprint for your writing, providing structure, clarity, and organization. It helps you plan and organize your ideas, saves time, and ensures that your writing is focused, coherent, and well-supported.

How to apply outline to a line in scratch?

In Scratch, you can apply an outline to a line by following these steps: Open Scratch and create a new project. Select the "Line" sprite from the sprite library or draw your own line using the paint editor. Go to the "Events" category in the blocks palette and drag the "when green flag clicked" block to the scripts area. In the "Pen" category, drag and attach the "pen down" block below the "when green flag clicked" block. Select the "Line" sprite on the stage and click on the "Costumes" tab in the sprite editor. Underneath the costume editor, you will see the "Outline" option. Click on it to enable the outline. Customize the color and thickness of the outline by clicking on the color and width options next to the "Outline" checkbox. Go back to the scripts area and add the desired motion or drawing blocks to make the line move or draw something. Click the green flag to start the program and see the line with the outline on the stage. Remember to save your project if you want to keep the changes.

How to creaste a scratvh outline'?

Creating a scratch outline is a useful way to gather your thoughts and ideas before starting a writing project. Follow these steps to create a scratch outline: Start with a blank piece of paper or a new document on your computer. Write down the main topic or subject of your writing project at the top of the page. Underneath the main topic, list the main points or ideas that you want to address in your writing. These can be broad statements or questions related to your topic. Organize the main points in a logical order. You can arrange them chronologically, by importance, or any other method that makes sense for your project. Once you have the main points arranged, think about any sub-points or supporting details you want to include for each main point. These can be more specific ideas or examples that contribute to your overall argument or message. Indent or bullet-point the sub-points beneath their respective main points to visually separate them. Keep expanding and organizing your ideas until you feel you have included all the necessary information and supporting details. Take a step back and review your scratch outline. Check for any missing information, gaps in logic, or areas that need further elaboration. Make revisions as needed. Once you are satisfied with your scratch outline, use it as a guide to start writing your first draft. You can refer back to your outline to ensure you stay focused and on track with your main ideas. Remember, a scratch outline is a flexible tool that can be adjusted and revised as you go along. It is meant to help you structure your thoughts and get started, but it doesn't need to be set in stone. Adapt it as your writing project evolves and new ideas come to mind.

What is the difference between your outline and your written project?

An outline is a plan for a written project that shows the main ideas to be discussed, the structure of the project, and the order in which the ideas should be presented. It is a way to organize your thoughts and make sure that all of the important topics are addressed. A written project is the actual written work that is created based on the outline. It includes the details and evidence to support the points made in the outline.

Which feature should not be listed on a formal outline?

Specific details of a plan or idea. Formal outlines are used to organize large ideas and concepts, not the small details that make up a plan.

How to delete a reply in scratch?

On the project page, click on the comment you want to delete. A menu will appear with options to "Edit" the comment or "Delete" it. Click on "Delete" and it should be removed from the project.

Where is outline option in scratch website?

The outline option is not available on the Scratch website.

What is the difference between a scratch outline and a full outline?

A scratch outline is a quick, rough outline created to provide a general overview of an essay. It is typically less detailed than a full outline and is often used as the starting point for an essay. A full outline is much more detailed, providing an in-depth look at the essay as a whole, including the topic, direction, structure, and main points of the essay.

Why do scratchers have red outline on profiles?

The red outlines are used as a visual indicator to help Scratchers easily locate another Scratcher's profile. This helps prevent members from signing up with duplicate usernames and helps new members find friends and other members to connect with. It also helps members identify the profiles of their friends and other members they may be interested in.

How does an informal outline usually organize information?

An informal outline usually organizes information according to topics and sub-topics. Information is organized in hierarchical order with main topics listed first, followed by sub-topics in each topic. The outline can also be organized from general points to more specific points.

What is preparing a scratch outline in writing process?

Preparing a scratch outline is a pre-writing activity in which an author creates a skeletal structure for a piece of writing. This typically includes the main points that are intended to be covered and the order in which they will be presented. The aim of a scratch outline is to provide the writer with a roadmap they can follow while producing the final piece.

How to write an essay scratching format?

To write an essay using the scratching format, also known as the scratch outline or skeleton outline method, follow these steps: Gather ideas: Begin by brainstorming or considering the main points or arguments you want to make in your essay. Jot down these ideas without worrying about their order or structure at this stage. Create a working thesis statement: Summarize your main argument or thesis in a concise and clear manner. This statement will guide the content of your essay and help you stay focused. Identify key sections: Determine the main sections or paragraphs that your essay will include. These can be based on the main points or arguments you have identified. Write down each section or paragraph as a heading or bullet point. Arrange your points: Once you have your headings, start organizing your ideas under each section. Develop each point in a brief sentence or phrase, avoiding excessive details. This is the "scratching" part, as it involves quickly jotting down ideas without worrying about sentence structure or grammar. Add supporting evidence or examples: Underneath each point or argument, list evidence or examples that support it. This evidence can be in the form of statistics, quotes, research findings, or personal anecdotes. Be sure to tie each piece of evidence back to your main thesis statement. Introduce and conclude: At this stage, write a rough introduction and conclusion, focusing on providing a clear opening and summary of your main points. Make note of any specific details or information you will include. Review and revise: Once you've completed your scratching outline, go through it to check for logical flow, clarity, and coherence. Consider if any ideas need further development or if any sections can be combined or restructured. Make revisions as necessary to ensure a well-organized and coherent essay. Write the full essay: Using your scratching outline as a guide, begin drafting your essay by expanding on the points and evidence you have identified. Turn your scratch phrases into complete sentences and paragraphs, ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea and flows smoothly into the next. Edit and proofread: After completing the draft, take the time to edit and proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity. Make sure your arguments are well-supported and your ideas are effectively communicated. By following these steps, the scratching format will help you quickly organize and develop your ideas before writing a full essay.

How to turn off outline in scrach?

Scratch does not have an outline feature, so it cannot be turned off.

Why make a scratch outline?

Making a scratch outline helps organize information prior to writing, allowing writers to see the overall structure of their project and how the pieces of information fit together. This type of outline also makes it easier to go back and revise the order of topics and ideas as needed.

How to prepare a scratch outline?

Preparing a scratch outline involves following a basic structure to brainstorm and organize your thoughts before beginning a writing project. Here's a step-by-step guide: Understand the purpose and topic: Clearly define the purpose of your writing and the topic you will address. Ask yourself what message or information you want to convey. Brainstorm ideas: Jot down any ideas that come to mind regarding your topic. Don't worry about organization at this stage; just write down everything that might be relevant. Identify main points: Review your brainstormed ideas and identify the main points or key arguments related to your topic. These should be the main ideas you'll expand on in your writing. Organize main points: Arrange your main points in a logical order. Consider introducing the topic, presenting supporting evidence or arguments, and concluding your piece. Develop subpoints: Under each main point, add subpoints that will support and expand on the main idea. These subpoints can be specific examples, evidence, or explanations related to the main point. Determine the structure: Decide on the type of outline structure that works best for your writing project. Some common formats include alphanumeric (using Roman numerals, letters, and numbers), decimal (using numbers with decimal points), or a bullet point list. Add additional details: For each subpoint, add any relevant details, examples, statistics, or evidence that support and explain your ideas. Review and revise: Take a step back and review your scratch outline. Ensure it is logical, coherent, and follows a clear progression from the introduction to the conclusion. Make any necessary revisions or adjustments to improve the flow and structure. Remember, the purpose of a scratch outline is to provide a visual organization of your ideas and to serve as a guide for your writing. It can be as detailed or as brief as you find necessary. Once the scratch outline is complete, use it as a reference while drafting your actual piece.

What is scratch outline and formal outline in English composition?

A scratch outline, also known as a rough outline or brainstorming outline, is a preliminary plan or sketch of ideas for a written composition. It is usually not organized in a specific format and may consist of a list of points or phrases that capture the main ideas. A scratch outline helps writers to brainstorm and organize their thoughts before proceeding to write a more detailed and formal composition. On the other hand, a formal outline is a structured and organized plan that follows a specific format and uses standard alphanumeric notation. It includes headings, subheadings, and detailed points or sentences to elaborate on each main idea. A formal outline provides a roadmap for the writer and serves as a guide to ensure that each part of the composition is well-developed and coherent. It helps to organize the ideas and arguments in a logical and sequential manner, making the writing process more efficient and effective.

What is scratch outline in academic writing?

A scratch outline in academic writing is a rough or preliminary outline that helps writers organize their thoughts, ideas, and arguments before composing a final draft. It is often a simplified version of an outline and is developed quickly, serving as a framework to guide the writing process. A scratch outline typically includes key points, main ideas, supporting evidence or examples, and the general structure of the argument or paper. It helps writers establish a logical flow and structure for their writing before delving into the detailed content. As the writing progresses, the scratch outline can be modified, expanded, or revised to create a more comprehensive and coherent final outline.

What is making scratch outline?

Making a scratch outline is the process of organizing ideas before writing a paper or other written work. It involves determining the main points and outlining them in a logical order. This helps to make the writing process easier and more organized. It may involve creating a hierarchy of topics and subtopics, and then breaking those down further into smaller points. A scratch outline gives the writer a roadmap to follow as they compose their paper.

What is the difference between a scratch and format outline?

A scratch outline is a very basic outline, often created quickly to give an overall structure and direction to a project. Typically, a scratch outline contains only key points, with no details or evidence. A format outline is a more detailed and organized outline that includes detailed evidence, examples, and other support for each point. Format outlines can vary in length and organization style depending on the subject, purpose, and audience.

What is the difference between Scratch and Processing.org?

Scratch is a visual programming language and online community geared towards children to help them learn coding basics and think creatively when developing projects. It features a drag-and-drop interface to create interactive stories, animations, and simple games. Processing.org is an open source programming language and environment for people who want to program images, animations, and interactions. It is designed to help teach computer programming fundamentals in a visual context and to serve as the foundation for more complex programming languages and libraries. Unlike Scratch, Processing does not have a visual interface and instead requires a text-based programming language, such as Java.

What is scratchh. outline?

Scratch is a visual programming language developed by the MIT Media Lab. It uses graphical and drag-and-drop interfaces to create simple programs that can be shared and remixed online. Scratch allows users to create animations, games, stories, and interactive art. It is designed for children and novice programmers, with its visual language, large library of drag and drop components, and easy-to-use interface. It allows users to create basic interactive projects without the need for any prior programming knowledge. Scratch is an excellent introduction to programming concepts and can serve as the foundation for learning more advanced languages and systems.

What is scratchout line?

A scratchout line is a line in a document that is drawn through words, sentences or other content to indicate that it should be removed or ignored. It is usually used to cross out or delete the words or text that the writer no longer wishes to keep.

How to write scratch outline?

Brainstorm and research your idea: Research your topic thoroughly and make a list of key points and ideas related to it. Create an outline: Use the information you have gathered and create a basic outline of your topic. Think of what order you want to present the information in and use subheadings to separate topics. Write an Introduction: Write an introductory paragraph that captures the reader's attention and gives an overview of topic. Body: In the body of your outline, include the key points and themes you have identified. Make sure to support each point with evidence or research. Conclusion: Write a conclusion paragraph that ties the main points together and reiterates the overall purpose of your paper. Revise and edit: Read over your outline, making any changes and adding additional ideas as necessary. Once you are satisfied with the structure and content of your outline, you are ready to write your paper.

What is scratch outlining academic writing?

Scratch outlining is a technique used to help the writer plan and organize their thoughts before beginning to write an academic paper. Scratch outlining involves creating a basic outline with headings and main ideas for each section of the paper. This can help the writer to organize their thoughts in a logical order, identify main points to discuss, and structure their argument. Additionally, scratch outlining can help the writer identify any gaps in their knowledge or understanding of the subject and conduct additional research as needed.

WHAT IS A SCRATCH OUTLINE IN A PARAGRAPH?

A scratch outline is a high-level overview of an essay, report, or research paper. It provides a concise summary of the main arguments, ideas, and evidence that will be covered and organized in the paper. Scratch outlines are generally used as a first draft of an outline and as a way to get a clear idea of where the paper is headed before committing to specific points and details. They can help writers plan out the structure and flow of their paper, as well as identify any gaps in their research or arguments.

How to do scratch outline?

Gather your materials: paper, pencils, erasers, and other necessary art supplies. Choose an image you would like to draw. This could be an object, animal, landscape, etc. Draw a light outline of the image on your paper. Take your time, and don’t press too hard with your pencil. Slowly and carefully scratch away areas of the outline using your pencil or other tool of choice. Continuously check your progress and adjust the scratching as needed to make sure the outline is accurate and precise. Once you are happy with the outline, you can erase the excess lines and continue with your drawing.

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
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• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Chapter 5: Putting the Pieces Together with a Thesis Statement

5.3 Outlining

Learning Objectives

• Identify the steps in constructing an outline
• Construct a topic outline and a sentence outline

Your prewriting activities and readings have helped you gather information for your assignment. The more you sort through the pieces of information you found, the more you will begin to see the connections between them. Patterns and gaps may begin to stand out. But only when you start to organize your ideas will you be able to translate your raw insights into a form that will communicate meaning to your audience.

Organizing Ideas

When you write, you need to organize your ideas in an order that makes sense. The writing you complete in all your courses exposes how analytically and critically your mind works. In some courses, the only direct contact you may have with your instructor is through the assignments you write for the course. You can make a good impression by spending time ordering your ideas.

Order refers to your choice of what to present first, second, third, and so on in your writing. The order you pick closely relates to your purpose for writing that particular assignment. For example, when telling a story, it may be important to first describe the background for the action. Or you may need to first describe a 3-D movie projector or a television studio to help readers visualize the setting and scene. You may want to group your supporting ideas effectively to convince readers that your point of view on an issue is well reasoned and worthy of belief.

In longer pieces of writing, you may organize different parts in different ways so that your purpose stands out clearly and all parts of the essay work together to consistently develop your main point.

Methods of Organizing Writing

The three common methods of organizing writing are chronological order, spatial order, and order of importance, which you learned about in Chapter 4: What Are You Writing, to Whom, and How? You need to keep these methods of organization in mind as you plan how to arrange the information you have gathered in an outline. An outline is a written plan that serves as a skeleton for the paragraphs you write. Later, when you draft paragraphs in the next stage of the writing process, you will add support to create “flesh” and “muscle” for your assignment.

When you write, your goal is not only to complete an assignment but also to write for a specific purpose—perhaps to inform, to explain, to persuade, or a combination of these purposes. Your purpose for writing should always be in the back of your mind, because it will help you decide which pieces of information belong together and how you will order them. In other words, choose the order that will most effectively fit your purpose and support your main point.

Table 5.2: Order versus Purpose  shows the connection between order and purpose.

Writing an Outline

For an essay question on a test or a brief oral presentation in class, all you may need to prepare is a short, informal outline in which you jot down key ideas in the order you will present them. This kind of outline reminds you to stay focused in a stressful situation and to include all the good ideas that help you explain or prove your point. For a longer assignment, like an essay or a research paper, many instructors will require you to submit a formal outline before writing a major paper as a way of making sure you are on the right track and are working in an organized manner. The expectation is you will build your paper based on the framework created by the outline.

When creating outlines, writers generally go through three stages: a scratch outline , an informal or topic outline , and a formal or sentence outline. The scratch outline is basically generated by taking what you have come up with in your freewriting process and organizing the information into a structure that is easy for you to understand and follow (for example, a mind map or hierarchical outline). An informal outline goes a step further and adds topic sentences, a thesis, and some preliminary information you have found through research. A formal outline is a detailed guide that shows how all your supporting ideas relate to each other. It helps you distinguish between ideas that are of equal importance and ones that are of lesser importance. If your instructor asks you to submit an outline for approval, you will want to hand in one that is more formal and structured. The more information you provide for your instructor, the better he or she will be able to see the direction in which you plan to go for your discussion and give you better feedback.

There are two types of formal outlines: the topic outline and the sentence outline . You format both types of formal outlines in the same way.

• Place your introduction and thesis statement at the beginning, under Roman numeral I.
• Use Roman numerals (II, III, IV, V, etc.) to identify main points that develop the thesis statement.
• Use capital letters (A, B, C, D, etc.) to divide your main points into parts.
• Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) if you need to subdivide any As, Bs, or Cs into smaller parts.
• End with the final Roman numeral expressing your idea for your conclusion.

Here is what the skeleton of a traditional formal outline looks like. The indention helps clarify how the ideas are related.

• Introduction →  Thesis statement
• Supporting detail

Constructing Informal or Topic Outlines An informal topic outline is the same as a sentence outline except you use words or phrases instead of complete sentences. Words and phrases keep the outline short and easier to comprehend. All the headings, however, must be written in parallel structure.

Here is the informal topic outline that Mariah constructed for the essay she is developing. Her purpose is to inform, and her audience is a general audience of her fellow college students. Notice how Mariah begins with her thesis statement. She then arranges her main points and supporting details in outline form using short phrases in parallel grammatical structure.

• Thesis statement: Everyone wants the newest and the best digital technology, but the choices are many, and the specifications are often confusing.
• Electronic downloads
• Storage in memory for hundreds of books
• E-book readers from booksellers
• E-book readers from electronics and computer companies
• Incompatible features from one brand to the next
• Borrowing and sharing e-books
• Compact digital cameras
• Single lens reflex cameras, or SLRs
• Cameras that combine the best features of both
• The confusing “megapixel wars”
• The zoom lens battle
• 1080p vs. 768p
• Plasma screens vs. LCDs
• Home media centres
• How to be a wise consumer

Writing at Work

Word processing programs generally have an automatic numbering feature that can be used to prepare outlines. This feature automatically sets indents and lets you use the tab key to arrange information just as you would in an outline. Although in business this style might be acceptable, in college or university your instructor might have different requirements. Teach yourself how to customize the levels of outline numbering in your word processing program to fit your instructor’s preferences.

Self-Practice Exercise 5.8

H5P:  Creating a Topic Outline

The purpose of an outline for your essay is to collect your ideas and organize them in a logical order. For many people, this doesn’t need to be a formal process to be helpful. However, some instructors will require a more traditionally structured outline, so we will practice that skill today.

Take a moment to review the structure outlined in Mariah’s outline so that you can understand the structure that is expected. Feel free to use her outline as a model for your own work.

The first thing to consider is how you will organize your essay. Chronological order — where points follow the passage of time — is best for explaining how to undertake something. Spatial order — where points follow movement through space — is best for descriptive, sensory writing. And order of importance — where you decide the order based on significance — is good for persuasive writing. Which type of structure makes the most sense for your essay?

Following the model above, take a first run at outlining your essay. We will have lots of time to revise this work over the next few exercises, so just do your best to be clear and logical in the development of your ideas.

Checklist 5.2: Writing an Effective Topic Outline

This checklist can help you write an effective topic outline for your assignment. It will also help you discover where you may need to do additional reading or prewriting.

H5P: Outlining Checklist

• Do I have a controlling idea that guides the development of the entire piece of writing?
• Do I have three or more main points that I want to make in this piece of writing? Does each main point connect to my controlling idea?
• Is my outline in the best order—chronological order, spatial order, or order of importance—for me to present my main points? Will this order help me get my main point across?
• Do I have supporting details that will help me inform, explain, or prove my main points?
• Do I need to add more support? If so, where?
• Do I need to make any adjustments in my working thesis statement before I consider it the final version?

Self-Practice Exercise 5.9

H5P: Supporting Details

Review your outline and decide what your three strongest points are. They should be specific and directly, clearly related to the thesis statement. Make note of those points below.

These points will become topic sentences for the body paragraphs of your essay. Take a run at writing those topic sentences now. Remember that nothing is set in stone, and you will be able to revise your work again in the next exercise.

Constructing Formal or Sentence Outlines

A sentence outline is the same as a topic outline except you use complete sentences instead of words or phrases. Complete sentences create clarity and can advance you one step closer to a draft in the writing process.

Here is the formal sentence outline that Mariah constructed for the essay she is developing.

• Books can be downloaded electronically.
• Devices can store hundreds of books in memory.
• Booksellers sell their own e-book readers.
• Electronics and computer companies also sell e-book readers.
• The devices are owned by different brands and may not be compatible.
• Few programs have been made to fit the other way Americans read: by borrowing books from libraries.
• Compactible digital cameras are light by have fewer megapixels.
• Single lens reflex cameras, or SLRs, may be large and heavy but can be sued for many functions.
• Some cameras combine the best features of compacts an SLRs.
• Choosing the camera type involves the confusing “megapixel wars.”
• The zoom lens battle also determines the camera you will buy.
• In the resolution wars, what are the benefits of 1080p and 768p?
• In the screen-size war, what do plasma screens and LCD screens offer?
• Does every home really need a media centre?
• The solution for many people should be to avoid buying on impulse. Consumers should think about what they really need, not what is advertised.

PowerPoint presentations, used both in schools and in the workplace, are organized in a way very similar to formal outlines. PowerPoint presentations often contain information in the form of talking points that the presenter develops with more details and examples than are contained on the PowerPoint slide.

Self-Practice Exercise 5.10

H5P:  Creating a Sentence Outline

Continuing with practicing skills you may need in other classes, we will now flesh out your Topic Outline to become a Sentence Outline.

Once again, it’s a good idea to take a moment to review the structure outlined in Mariah’s outline so that you can understand the structure that is expected. Feel free to use her outline as a model for your own work.

Using your Topic Outline as a basis, work to flesh out that outline to create the more formal Sentence Outline. Students sometimes feel that this step is busy work, but if you take your time with it, you will be most of the way to your formal essay draft.

Key Takeaways

• Writers must put their ideas in order so the assignment makes sense. The most common orders are chronological order, spatial order, and order of importance.
• After gathering and evaluating the information you found for your essay, the next step is to write a working, or preliminary, thesis statement.
• The working thesis statement expresses the main idea you want to develop in the entire piece of writing. It can be modified as you continue the writing process.
• Effective writers prepare a formal outline to organize their main ideas and supporting details in the order they will be presented.
• A topic outline uses words and phrases to express the ideas.
• A sentence outline uses complete sentences to express the ideas.
• The writer’s thesis statement begins the outline, and the outline ends with suggestions for the concluding paragraph.

Writing for Success - 1st Canadian H5P Edition Copyright © 2021 by Tara Horkoff is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Argumentative Research Essay

Make a scratch outline.

Now that you have your sources and a thesis, you will need to create a “scratch” outline of your paper. This important step in the writing process will provide you with a brief “roadmap” of what you want to include in your paper. The outline essentially allows you to make a plan for what you want to include, and allows you to organize your ideas before you begin writing.

Things to consider:

1. What is the argument I am making?

hand writing an outline

2. What evidence will I be presenting to make my point?

3. How do I want to organize my ideas?

Your scratch outline does not have to follow a specific format, it simply has to outline briefly what you will cover in your paper.

Click on this link to learn more about outlining your paper:

More on Outlines

Checkpoint #5

Before you proceed any further, see an instructor to have your outline approved and signed off on your packet.

No Alignments yet.

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6.2 Organizing Ideas

This section of Ch. 6 covers the following topics:

• developing a thesis
• using a critical question
• constructing an outline
• organizing options

Prewriting helps a writer explore possible topics and figure out what to say. But to communicate ideas to someone else, those ideas have to be organized. That is the goal of a thesis statement and an outline.

Step 2: Organizing

The first step in organizing is to articulate your purpose.  What are you going to say about this topic?

Thesis Statement

A thesis is a clear statement of the essay’s main idea. It is the essay topic and the writer’s position or opinion on that topic. It’s sort of like the topic sentence of a paragraph, but it’s the topic sentence for the entire essay.

Here is an example thesis:

Urban trees are key to a healthy environment for humans. (The topic is “trees in the city” and your opinion is that they are crucial to human health.)

A thesis is not just the essay’s topic; it is what you have to say about that topic, your point. Look at the following table to see the difference.

Each thesis states an opinion. It is not just a fact; it is the writer’s thoughts, feelings, or position about the topic.

The job of a thesis is to generate and govern the essay. To generate something is to cause it to be created. To govern something is to control it. A thesis statement creates and controls the essay.

Following are guidelines for a strong, clear thesis statement:

• A thesis is one sentence. The subject of the thesis is the subject of your essay. Write it first. (For example: “Mail-in voting…”)
• A thesis must include an opinion, the point you will make about your subject. Write it second. (For example: “…should be required in every state.”) If the thesis is simply a fact (“Americans over the age of 18 can vote.”), you have nowhere to go.
• A good thesis will generate a critical question, either “How?” or “Why?” This is the question you will answer in the body of the essay. A good critical question for our example thesis is “Why?” The body paragraphs will explain why mail-in voting should be required.
• A good thesis is clear and specific. Avoid vague language (“interesting,” “terrible,” “good”). In our example, “should be required” is much clearer than “would be a good idea.”
• Keep the thesis short and simple: Don’t tackle two or three ideas. Our example thesis does not say mail-in voting should be “encouraged and monitored”–it picks one focus: “required.”
• Express the thesis as a statement, not a question (don’t write “What should we do about…?”) or an announcement (don’t write “The subject of this paper is…”).
• Be aware of your audience. Take a stand without insulting the reader. (“Only anarchists support mail-in voting” is unnecessarily offensive.) The goal of an essay is to inform and persuade, not be belligerent. If you can’t make a point without insulting people who disagree with you, you will never persuade anyone.

The thesis is usually presented in the essay’s introductory paragraph, often as the last sentence.

Using the topic you identified in Ch. 6.1, write a thesis statement for your essay. Follow the above guidelines carefully. Your goal is to explain your position on this topic clearly and succinctly.

Although you are only writing a single sentence, this will likely take you some time to do well. Creating a good, clear thesis is the first step in producing a good, clear essay.

Write your thesis in your notebook. Figure out whether you are going to answer “Why?” or “How?” in the essay, and write that word at the end of your thesis. Submit this to the instructor for approval before proceeding to the next step.

Without clear organization, your reader can become confused and lose interest. An outline is a written plan for the essay. We use the critical question generated by the thesis to create the outline. For example:

Thesis: Mail-in voting should be required in every state.

Critical question: Why?

Answer: Because it is cheaper, easier, and safer.

Those three answers become the three main points in the outline and, eventually, the topic sentences of the body paragraphs.

A short, informal “scratch” outline, where you list key ideas in the order you will present them, will help you visualize your argument and ensure the structure will be clear to a reader. Here is a basic structure for a five-paragraph essay:

Paragraph 1: introduction, thesis statement

Paragraph 2: first main point and supporting detail

Paragraph 3: next main point and supporting detail

Paragraph 4: last main point and supporting detail

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Here is an example of a scratch outline on the topic of mail-in voting:

It would be easy to turn this outline into an essay draft by simply adding explanations and details to each paragraph.

Ordering Information

Once you know what you want to say, you have to decide in what order to present the information.

There are three basic ways to organize the body of an essay: chronological order, emphatic order, and spatial order.

Chronological order is when events are arranged in the order they actually happen. Chronological order is used for the following purposes:

• to explain the history of an event or a topic
• to tell a story or relate an experience
• to explain how to do or to make something

For example, an essay about the history of the airline industry would begin with its conception and progress through essential events up to present day. This method uses transition words such as “then,” “after that,” and “finally.”

Emphatic order is when your points start with the least important and build to the most important argument last. Emphatic order is best used for the following purposes:

• persuading and convincing
• ranking items by their benefit or significance
• illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

For example, an essay about registering firearms could develop several answers to “Why?” Key transitions with this pattern might be “one reason is,” “just as importantly,” and “but the most important.”

The example outline above on mail-in voting is organized emphatically: it moves from a good reason, to a better one, to the best one. Emphatic order is common in persuasive essays because it allows the writer to increasingly strengthen her argument.

Spatial order means explaining or describing objects as they are arranged in space. Spatial order is less common in college writing and best used for the following purposes:

• helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
• evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, sound)

For example, an essay that describes a microscope or the parts of a guitar would use spatial order. You create a picture for the reader. The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals (“to the left is…,” “above that…,” “on the back is…”)

These three options can be used alone or, in a long paper, they can be combined. The key for writers is to choose an organizational pattern consciously, one that will best help them achieve their purpose.

Now it’s time to create an outline for your essay. Your outline should end up looking like the scratch outline above, but it will take several steps to get there.

In your notebook, do the following:

• Start with the word “Introduction” followed by your thesis. (Don’t write the actual introduction, just the word. Do write your thesis and the critical question.)
• Look at the three options for an organizational pattern listed above: chronological, emphatic, or spatial. Which pattern would best help you explain your point? Pick one. The emphatic pattern is the most common for college writing, but which one you choose is driven by what your topic is.  For example, if you decided to write about why the gym facilities at MHCC are great, you might explain how you learned to love the gym over time (chronological), or identify your three favorite pieces of equipment (emphatic), or describe the gym layout so the reader can see it (spatial).
• If you chose a chronological pattern, identify three moments in time.
• If you chose an emphatic pattern, list three examples and order them from least important to most.
• If you chose a spatial pattern, list three parts of your topic following a logical progression.
• If the pattern you chose isn’t working, now is the time to change it.
• Add some details to each of the three points. As in the example above, don’t write full paragraphs or even full sentences, just words or phrases. This is just a plan, not the actual essay.
• Write the word “Conclusion” at the end.  (Don’t write the conclusion, just the word.)

This process will take you a couple of hours to do well. Your final product should look like the example scratch outline above.

This is the point when you figure out if the essay is going to work. Is your topic panning out?  Is your thesis clear enough? Do you have sufficient details? If not, go back to Ch. 6.1 and do some more prewriting. Do not proceed to Ch. 6.3 until your thesis and outline have been approved by the instructor.

To review how to structure an essay, this exercise asks you to find the structure in an existing essay.

Read the student essay called “The Best Place to Study” by Pablo Medina, linked in Ch. 7.

Create a “reverse outline” for his essay. Dig into the essay to discover the structure: find his thesis, his main points, and his supporting points.

• First, find the thesis statement and write it in your notebook. (Hint: It is where it should be: in the introductory paragraph.)
• Briefly describe which technique Pablo uses in his introduction (check Ch. 5.3 for a list of options).
• Read the first body paragraph, identify the topic sentence, and write it in your notebook. Briefly list the examples Pablo uses in that paragraph.
• Do the same for paragraphs three and four.
• Identify which organizing structure Pablo used (chronological, emphatic, or spatial) for the essay.
• Look at the concluding paragraph. What is he doing there?

You should end up with Pablo’s outline for his essay. Notice how smoothly his essay reads and yet we can easily deconstruct it.  That is because he did the work you just created before he drafted his essay. The essay is carefully and clearly built.

• A thesis statement is a topic and the writer’s opinion on that topic.
• An outline is a plan, a structure for the essay.
• Chronological order is common in expository writing.
• Emphatic order is most appropriate in a persuasive paper.
• Spatial order is best for helping readers visualize something.

a brief statement of the essay's main point

express an idea fluently and coherently

according to time

based on importance

as arranged in space

a type of writing that investigates, evaluates, and explains an idea or topic

Write On! Copyright © 2020 by Gay Monteverde is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Types of Outlines and Samples

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Alphanumeric Outlines

This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:

• Roman Numerals
• Capitalized Letters
• Arabic Numerals
• Lowercase Letters

If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

The sample PDF in the Media Box above is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.

What is the assignment?

Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.

Full Sentence Outlines

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of the outline. This outline is most often used when preparing a traditional essay. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Decimal Outlines

The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Informal Outline

Ai generator.

Sometimes during lectures, speakers forget that their listeners want to take notes of what they’re talking about and they tend to ramble on and on and on. Their listeners struggle to write down the facts and information given by the speaker because before they even finish writing the first one, another one is introduced immediately. This results in random writings and incomprehensible words and sentences. You may also see content outline .

• APA Outline Examples in PDF
• How To Make A Lecture Outline

Most students do this especially when a PowerPoint presentation is not available. Important information is written in messy handwriting and abbreviated words just to make do with what’s available. This habit has resulted in disorganized and incoherent thoughts. You may also see leadership outline .

Although students try to outline topics discussed by their professors, with the limitations of time, it simply is not ideal and downright near impossible. Outlines are designed to summarize a certain topic and break it into smaller but still understandable parts. They help you organize thoughts and ideas. You may also refer to  How to Write Definition Essay and Examples

What is an Informal Outline?

An inform outline sometimes called a scratch outline or working outline is a blueprint for the argument. It still functions like any other outlines, however, it does not have the rigidity of a formal outline. Ideas are listed down minus the roman numerals that segregate main topics from sub-topics. You may also see project proposal outline .

An informal outline can also become the basis for your  formal outline . Once you’re done casually listing ideas that support your thesis, you can easily make a complex formal outline. Although this outline is fluid in structure, it is subject to constant revision because it is made with no attention to form and is destined for the trash bin.

Meaning an informal or working outline as the name would suggest is a constant work in progress. The writer just scribbles ideas that he/she thinks best explains the main idea and continues to add more examples to his/her outline. By doing more expansion and correction of his/her ideas, he/she is then able to come close to a rough summary of his/her own paper. You may also see  Samples of Formal Essays

How to Make an Informal Outline

As this is an informal outline, there are no strict rules to follow and no structure to adhere to. An informal outline is just normally prepared by you, the writer, it is not rigid and controlling. It is somewhat like a free-flow writing where you jot down additional details as you progress. However, you can still follow these basic steps to have a more understandable informal outline:

1. Write the Title of Your Outline

The title of your outline should directly reflect the title of your actual paper. This will serve as a guide for you as you think and write about the topic. This step serves as the foundation of your thesis and helps ground the ideas you will include. You may also see training outline .

The title of your outline is not necessarily the title of your actual paper but it just a mere reflection of the same thought as your actual title. There are instances that as you continue to write the supporting details of the main topic, you follow a slightly different thought group than you originally planned. In this case, you can always revise the title and make it more suitable to the contents of your outline. Also, see  Examples of How to Write a Topic Outline

2. Formulate Your Thesis

Write your thesis clearly and label it as “Thesis.” For example, “Thesis: Environment conservation including the 3 Rs, reforestation, anti-mining drive, plastic use minimization and carbon footprint reduction.” By doing this, you are constantly reminded of the ideas and thought that you will need in your paper. It will give direction to the outline you are trying to make. The thesis is the backbone of your outline and the final paper. The supporting details revolve around the thesis in order to prove or elaborate it. You may also see thesis outline .

3. Write Your Main Idea

There can be more than one main idea on a certain topic. The main idea of your outline is the first issue in your thesis. Like in the given thesis above, your first main idea is about the 3 Rs namely Reduce , Reuse , Recycle . When writing your main idea in an informal outline, there is no need to label it as the first main idea. Unlike in a formal outline, it is not necessary to use roman numerals in an informal outline. You may also see book outline .

4. Write Your Supporting Details

After your main idea comes the supporting details. It is better to indent the beginning of your first supporting detail. In the given example above, your first supporting detail can be “minimizing the use of non-biodegradable housewares.”  As there are no rules in an informal outline, you can elaborate on your supporting detail as much as you want with the limitation that an outline is supposed to shorten your paper, not lengthen it much more. You may also see course outline .

Like mentioned before, an informal outline is a free-flowing form of outlining, therefore, as you go through more main ideas and their supporting details, you can also insert new ones that you think is important and relevant to the topic. You may also see resume outline .

After the fourth step, you can add more supporting detail about your first main idea (step 3). After that, you can now add your second main idea. In the thesis given above, it would mean the second main idea is reforestation. You can then add its supporting details. And so on. You may also see  Step Basic Guide on Essay Writing .

Making an Informal Outline Example

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Things to Remember

1. An informal outline has no correct or incorrect format. It does not follow a number scheme or a hierarchical order. It is in the discretion of the writer how to organize his/her outline. You may also see essay outline .

2. It helps you organize your idea the best way you want it to. You can draw diagrams, draw ideas within bubbles, make charts or anything just to help you get your outline done.

3. As the name implies, a scratch outline only serves as a basis for your formal outline. It is destined to be put in the trash bin after you jot down your ideas, organize and reorganize ideas, and revise it as many times as you want without any restrictions in its format. You may also see speech outline .

4. Even though an informal outline is free-flowing, your outline should still be able to help you identify gaps in your argument, and problems with structure and logic. You may also see news editorial outline .

An informal outline is good to use when you are tasked to write an essay or any writing activity in a limited time. Because of the freedom it provides, you will have no problems just writing down ideas and rearranging them in the order you would like. You may also see program outline .

However, you must be careful about the lapses in an argument or the organization of your ideas. Because it is unstructured by nature, you might forget to arrange your ideas and in return come up with an incoherent paper instead. Always think about the flow and transition of your thoughts when you transfer it in your final paper. You may also see sentence outline .

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Home > Blog > How To Write an Outline for Essays

How To Write an Outline for Essays

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Updated: August 13, 2024
• Step-by-Step Instructions for Writing

Think of an outline for an essay as a guide that will shape your writing. Persuasive essays need to be thought out carefully, with body paragraphs planned out in detail. It isn’t advisable to go into an essay blind – it won’t have a logical order, and your draft won’t make much sense.

If you’ve never written an outline before, read on. We’re covering how to incorporate it into your writing process and list some essay outline examples to help you get started.

What Is an Outline for an Essay?

An essay outline is like a roadmap for your writing journey. It guides you from the introduction section to the conclusion in a clear and organized way. It’s the bare bones of what you’re going to write about, allowing you to set out your key points and showing you how you’re going to structure them in the body paragraphs.

Laying out the main points and subpoints in an argumentative essay outline or other types of essays you’ll cover will help you ensure there is logical flow and all the necessary aspects of your topic are covered.

Creating an outline might seem like an extra step, but it can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. It allows you to see the big picture before you dive into writing, making it easier to stay on track and avoid wandering off-topic.

Plus, with a solid outline, you can spot any gaps in your argument or areas that need more research before you start the essay writing process.

So, whether you’re tackling a high school assignment, crafting a complex research paper , or diving into expository essays, starting with an outline is a smart move. It helps you stay focused on the topic and confident in where you’re going with your paper.

So now that you know what is an outline for an essay, let’s discuss how it can help you during the writing process in more detail.

How Can an Essay Outline Help You During the Writing Process?

Good essays are a measure of academic success, according to the Honor Society . Hence, you need to ensure that your essays are well-researched and well-written. Effective essay outlines are an easy way to make your writing process much easier when writing a paper.

Here’s why an essay outline is helpful.

1. Organizes Your Thoughts

An outline acts as a map for your essay. It helps you organize your thoughts and ideas so everything flows logically. By planning out your main points and supporting all your details in advance, you can make sure your essays or research papers make sense from start to finish.

2. Saves Time

Taking a little time to create an outline, including your body paragraphs, intro, and conclusion, can save you a ton of time later. With a clear plan in place, you can write faster and avoid getting stuck or going off on tangents.

3. Ensures Coherence and Clarity in Your Writing

A good essay outline makes sure your essay stays clear and easy to follow. It helps you move from one idea to the next in a logical way so your readers can understand your argument or story without getting lost.

4. Helps Identify Gaps and Weaknesses

When you outline your essay, you can spot any gaps in your research or weak points in an argumentative essay, for example. This lets you fix these issues early on, making your overall essay stronger. This is particularly important for an expository essay outline, where you need to weave arguments throughout.

5. Creates a Balanced Structure

An outline helps you balance your essay. You can make sure each section gets enough attention and that no part is too long or too short.

6. Reduces Your Stress Levels

Having a clear plan can reduce the stress of writing. Knowing what you need to write next keeps you focused and helps prevent writer’s block.

7. Improves Overall Quality

In the end, a well-made outline leads to a better essay. It helps you present your ideas in a structured, persuasive, and polished way, making a strong impression on your readers. It’s the foundation that helps you build a compelling and well-organized essay.

How To Do an Outline for an Essay That’s a Thesis Statement

Wondering how to do an outline for an essay that’s a thesis statement? We’ve got you covered! When you write an essay outline, you’re forced to think about the main points you want to cover. This process helps you narrow down your focus and get a clearer idea of your main argument.

As you organize your ideas and see how they fit together, you can start to see the big picture of your essay. This big picture is what your thesis statement is all about.

Your thesis statement is the heart of your essay—it tells your reader what your main point is and sets the direction for your whole paper. By outlining first, you make sure that your thesis statement is strong and clearly reflects the main ideas you’ll be discussing.

Plus, if you find that your ideas aren’t quite lining up as you outline, you can tweak your thesis statement to match your essay’s direction better. It’s much easier to make these adjustments early on rather than having to rewrite large parts of your essay later.

Creating an outline not only helps you organize your essay but also ensures your thesis statement is clear, focused, and on point.

Outline Examples for Essays: 3 Most Common Essay Types

To help you start writing your essay outline, here are three outline examples for essays of different types.

1. A Descriptive Essay Outline Example

Creating a clear outline for a descriptive essay helps ensure your writing is organized and engaging. Here’s an example of a descriptive essay you might write at college.

Example Outline: The Library at My University

I. Introduction

• Hook: “Stepping into the university library is like entering a sanctuary of knowledge.”
• Background info: Brief introduction to the library’s significance
• Thesis statement: “The university library is my favorite place due to its peaceful atmosphere, extensive resources, and inspiring architecture.”

II. Body Paragraphs

A. Atmosphere

• Topic sentence: “The library offers a serene atmosphere for studying.”
• Details: Quiet study areas, comfortable seating, natural light
• Sensory descriptions: The silence, the soft rustling of pages

B. Resources

• Topic sentence: “The library provides a wealth of resources.”
• Details: Vast book collections, digital databases, research assistance
• Sensory descriptions: The smell of old books, the glow of computer screens

C. The Architecture

• Topic sentence: “The architecture of the library is inspiring.”
• Details: High ceilings, large windows, modern design
• Sensory descriptions: The grandeur of the building, the brightness of the space

III. Conclusion

• Restate thesis: “The library’s atmosphere, resources, and design make it an ideal study spot.”
• Closing thought: “It’s a place where learning comes alive.”

2. A Narrative Essay Outline Example

Creating a clear outline for a narrative essay helps ensure your story is well-organized and engaging. Here’s an example focused on a more academic topic.

Example Outline: My First Science Fair

• Hook: “I’ll never forget the excitement of my first science fair.”
• Background info: Brief introduction to the event and its significance
• Thesis statement: “Participating in my first science fair taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, creativity, and teamwork.”

A. Preparing for the Fair

• Topic sentence: “Preparation was a journey of discovery.”
• Details: Choosing the project, researching, and building the model
• Sensory descriptions: The smell of glue, the feel of experiment materials

B. The Day of the Fair

• Topic sentence: “The day of the fair was filled with excitement and nerves.”
• Details: Setting up the display, presenting to judges, and interacting with other participants
• Sensory descriptions: The buzz of conversations, the bright fair lights

C. The Results and Reflection

• Topic sentence: “The results taught me valuable lessons.”
• Details: Waiting for the results, receiving feedback, winning an award
• Sensory descriptions: The anxiety of waiting, the joy of recognition
• Restate thesis: “The science fair experience was unforgettable and educational.”
• Closing thought: “It sparked a lifelong interest in science and learning.”

3. An Expository Essay Outline Example

Creating a clear outline for an expository essay helps ensure your content is well-organized and informative. Here’s an example focused on an academic topic.

Example Outline: The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers

• Hook: “In today’s digital age, social media has become a significant part of teenagers’ lives.”
• Background info: Brief introduction to the topic and its relevance
• Thesis statement: “Social media influences teenagers’ social interactions, self-esteem, and academic performance in both positive and negative ways.”

A. Social Interactions

• Topic sentence: “Social media affects how teenagers interact with their peers.”
• Details: Communication methods, peer pressure, forming relationships
• Examples: Messaging apps, online communities, influence of trends

B. Self-Esteem

• Topic sentence: “Social media impacts teenagers’ perceptions of themselves.”
• Details: Comparisons, feedback loops, self-expression
• Examples: Likes, comments, body image issues

C. Academic Performance

• Topic sentence: “Social media usage can affect teenagers’ academic achievements.”
• Details: Distractions, study habits, access to information
• Examples: Procrastination, online research, and educational resources
• Restate thesis: “Social media’s influence on teenagers is complex, impacting their social interactions, self-esteem, and academic performance.”
• Closing thought: “Understanding these influences is crucial for navigating the digital world responsibly.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do i need to create an outline for my essay.

Think of an essay outline as your roadmap. It helps you organize your thoughts and ensure your essay flows logically from start to finish. Without an outline, your essay may lack a clear structure, making it difficult for readers to follow your arguments or narrative.

By planning your main points and supporting details ahead of time, you can save time, maintain focus, and create a cohesive and well-structured essay.

What should be included in an essay outline?

An effective essay outline typically includes:

• Introduction: Include a hook, background information, and thesis statement.
• Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by details, examples, and sensory descriptions where applicable.
• Conclusion: Restate the thesis and provide a closing thought that leaves a lasting impression.

This structure ensures that your essay is well-organized and covers all necessary aspects of your topic, whether you’re writing a persuasive essay, narrative, or expository piece.

Can an outline help me refine my thesis statement?

Absolutely! When you create an outline, you’re forced to clarify your main points and how they support your thesis. This process helps you identify any weak arguments or gaps in your research early on. By outlining first, you can ensure that your thesis statement is strong, focused, and reflective of the ideas you’ll develop throughout your essay.

This approach not only enhances the coherence of your writing but also sets a clear direction for your entire paper.

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How to Write A Report - A Guide to Report Format with Examples

A report is a major aspect of every academic's life, serving as a vital reflection of the depth and quality of your research. For those in research, the report is especially crucial, as it details the thoroughness of your work. Ensuring that your report is comprehensive and perfectly formatted is essential, particularly for university students, where it can define your greatest achievements. In this article, I will guide you on how to write a report properly, detailing everything you should include to ensure it meets high standards.

Types of Report Formats

Reports serve various purposes across different contexts, each tailored to meet specific needs and audiences. Here's a detailed breakdown of their classifications:

1.Academic Reports:

Academic reports are meticulously created by students or researchers to present findings on a specific topic. They typically include sections like an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Examples include research papers, thesis reports, and lab reports.

2.Business Reports:

These reports facilitate communication within or between businesses, offering insights into market research, financial analysis, project progress, and more. Examples encompass financial reports, market analysis reports, and project status updates.

3.Scientific Reports:

Scientific reports are comprehensive documents that detail research and experiments, structured to ensure clarity and reproducibility. Examples range from research articles and clinical study reports to technical reports.

Classification of Reports:

1.Formal and Informal Reports:

Formal Reports: Structured and detailed, adhering to specific formats for official use. Examples include annual business reports.

Informal Reports: Less structured and straightforward, often used for internal updates like project status emails.

2.Short and Long Reports:

Short Reports: Concise documents providing essential information swiftly, such as executive summaries.

Long Reports: Detailed and extensive documents offering comprehensive insights, like in-depth research studies.

3.Internal and External Reports:

Internal Reports: Used within organizations to communicate among employees or departments, such as internal audit reports.

External Reports: Shared outside the organization with stakeholders or the public, such as annual financial statements.

4.Vertical and Lateral Reports:

Vertical Reports: Communicate vertically within organizational hierarchies, either upward (e.g., from employees to management) or downward (e.g., from management to employees). Examples include performance review reports.

Lateral Reports: Shared horizontally among peers or departments at the same hierarchical level within an organization, facilitating inter-departmental collaboration on projects.

Structure and Organization

When it comes to writing reports, the structure and organization can vary depending on the type of report you're creating. Let's explore some common report outlines to help you understand the differences and choose the right structure for your needs.

First, it's important to note that there's a basic outline that many reports follow, which typically includes:

Now, let's dive into specific types of reports and their unique structures:

Scientific Report

Scientific reports follow a specific structure designed to present research methods and findings clearly:

Book Report

Book reports, often assigned in school, have their own unique structure:

Business Report

Business reports are used to communicate information within an organization:

Newspaper or School Assignment Report

Newspaper articles and some school assignments follow a more concise structure:

These outlines provide a general guide, so it's best to always check your specific assignment requirements or organizational guidelines. The key is to choose a structure that best presents your information in a logical, easy-to-follow manner for your intended audience.

How to Write a Report Faster in 5 Steps- Using WPS AI

Learning how to write a report with the proper format and structure can be valuable in your academics. Not only will this help you with your assignments, but following a report structure can also make describing events or incidents with more clarity much easier in other situations.

Now, since we are just setting off on what report writing is, we will be taking help from WPS AI. It is a major resource for me whenever I start writing a report for an assignment, while writing my research papers, or even a simple class assignment. Its AI features make every task easier for me. With the help of AI, I can research better, get better ideas, and even improve my writing. So, let's begin learning how to write a report and also look at a few examples along the way.

1.Choose a topic

So, the first step in starting our report writing is selecting a topic for our research. Choosing the right topic is crucial for a successful report. It should align with your assignment requirements or your audience's expectations. Additionally, selecting a topic at the beginning gives us a clear direction—what to research and what keywords to use—making our research more focused and concise.

Now, this can be a bit challenging. Let's say our assignment requires us to write about battery-powered cars. This requirement is quite broad, and there are many different topics within battery-powered cars. The traditional approach would be to learn about the topic first, conduct a Google search, and read various articles to select a topic for our report. However, this process can be lengthy. Let's make it quicker by using WPS Office :

Step 1: Open WPS Office and create a new blank document by clicking on New > Docs > Blank.

Step 2: In WPS Writer's blank document, simply type "@ai" and then press Enter to activate the WPS AI assistant.

Step 3: Since we want topic ideas for our report, we'll click on "Brainstorm" and ask WPS AI to generate a few topic ideas for our report with a prompt. Here's an example:

"Generate ideas for a report topic focused on battery-powered cars, exploring recent advancements in electric vehicle technology and their environmental impact."

Step 4: WPS AI will generate a few topic ideas for your report. If you find a topic you like, click on "Accept". Otherwise, click on "Continue" to get more topic ideas.

Using WPS AI to generate topic ideas helps students quickly find their preferred topic and saves them the trouble of extensive research to choose a topic for their report. So, with the topic chosen, let's move on to the next step.

2.Conduct research

Once we have chosen the topic for our report, the next step is to conduct research. For this part, I usually visit Google Scholar to find research papers and other helpful articles. Students can also access exclusive research papers through their university's online libraries. Additionally, for specific topics like stocks, valuable resources include official stock exchange websites for authentic data.

Now, once the research papers and relevant information are gathered, going through these resources to extract information can take hours of reading time. To streamline this process, you can upload your research paper PDFs to WPS Office and get key insights in just a few moments.

Step 1: Open the PDF document using WPS Office and click on the WPS AI widget at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2: The WPS AI pane will open on the right side of the screen. Simply click on "Upload" to upload the research paper to WPS AI.

Step 3: WPS AI will process the PDF, and in a few moments, it will present all the key insights available in the PDF.

Step 4: If you need further information from the PDF, simply click on the "Inquiry" tab and chat with the WPS AI chatbot to extract more details.

With this approach, conducting research becomes not only quicker but also more meaningful. After conducting research, I quickly move on to the next step, which is creating an outline for my report and starting the writing process.

3.Prepare an outline

Creating an outline before we begin writing our report is essential, as it helps our report follow a proper order and prevents confusion or getting lost while writing. If creating an outline seems challenging, you can always use WPS AI to assist in creating one. A simple AI prompt allows students to generate an effective and detailed outline for their report with the help of WPS AI.

So, let's say my topic is "Advancements in the Range and Charging Speeds of Electric Cars." Let's ask WPS AI to create a detailed outline for our report on this topic:

Step 1: First, type "@AI" to activate WPS AI and then click on "Outline" since we need help creating an outline.

Step 2: Enter an AI prompt to guide WPS AI in creating an outline for your topic. The more detailed your prompt, the better the outline will be.

Step 3: WPS AI will assist in generating an outline with a proper structure.

The outline generated with the help of WPS AI may or may not be the final version of your outline. You may need to make a few changes based on the content of your research. However, this outline will provide a basic structure that you can now modify according to your report's topic.

4.Write a Rough Draft

Now that you have a solid outline, it's time to start writing. Don't worry about perfection at this stage – the goal is to get your ideas down on paper.

Here's how WPS AI can assist in drafting:

Use the AI to expand on each section of your outline. For example, you could ask: "Write an Overview on the importance of advancements in the range and charging speeds of electric cars".

If you're stuck on a particular point, ask WPS AI for help. Try prompts like: "What are Lithium-ion batteries” or "List out the possible environmental benefits of Electric Cars".

Use WPS Office's formatting tools to structure your document. Apply heading styles to your outline points for easy navigation.

As you write, remember to maintain your own voice. Use the AI-generated content as a starting point, but add your own analysis, insights, and examples. This will ensure your report is original and reflects your understanding of the topic.

5.Revising and Editing your Report

At this point, you might feel like you're done with your report, but there's one last crucial step: proofreading. A mistake or two in typing or grammar can significantly diminish the professionalism of your report. It's essential to review your content, refining what needs to be included and removing anything irrelevant.

Here's how to use WPS AI for revising and editing:

Use the AI's grammar and spell-check features to catch basic errors.

We can use WPS AI to review specific paragraphs for clarity by selecting the "Improve Writing" option from the list of WPS AI options provided in the hover menu.

Here is what your report would look like at the end of this entire process:

Bonus Tips: How Can WPS AI Help your Report Writing [Not Only the Format]

WPS Office has contributed a lot to academic pursuits by providing a full-fledged office suite that aids everyone in their academic life. It gives access to advanced features that simplify report writing, eliminating frustrations related to conversions to PDF, formatting, checking, and more.

WPS Office offers multiple tools to help refine the report, including:

1. Content Generation and Refinement

WPS AI Writer: The AI-powered content generation tool in WPS Office assists users in creating well-structured and coherent content. Whether you're starting from scratch or need to enhance an existing draft, WPS AI can suggest improvements, generate additional content, and help organize your ideas effectively.

Templates: WPS Office provides a variety of templates for different types of reports, ensuring that you start with a professional format.

Smart Assistance: The AI can offer suggestions for better word choices, sentence structures, and even provide detailed outlines based on your topic.

2. Language and Style Enhancement

Grammar and Style Check: WPS Office includes advanced grammar and style checking tools that help you maintain a professional tone and clear language throughout your report.

Real-Time Feedback: Receive instant feedback on grammar, punctuation, and style issues as you type.

Customization: Adjust the settings to focus on specific style guides or preferences, ensuring that your report meets the required academic standards.

3. Proofreading and Editing

AI-Powered Proofreading: The built-in proofreading tool in WPS Office helps catch errors that you might miss. It goes beyond basic spell check to include context-aware suggestions.

Comprehensive Checks: This tool checks for consistency, coherence, and clarity, ensuring that your report is not only error-free but also easy to read and understand.

Batch Processing: Proofread and edit multiple documents simultaneously, saving time and ensuring consistency across all your reports.

FAQs About Writing a Report

1. what is a report.

A report is a written document that presents information about a particular topic, practical experiments, or research. Reports are usually well-structured, consisting of sections such as an executive summary, introduction, findings, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. The main objective of a report is to describe and analyze the results, offering a clear understanding of the subject being addressed.

2. What is the difference between a report and an essay?

A report is a systematically organized document that presents information and analysis. Reports are used to detail the findings of a project, experiment, or investigation.It typically features specific sections with headings and subheadings and often incorporates tables, bullet points, and graphics. An essay, in contrast, has a more flexible structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Essays focus on developing a discussion or argument about a topic through a series of connected paragraphs. They are used to build and explore arguments and insights.

3. What are some common mistakes to avoid in report writing?

When writing a report, it is essential to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder clarity and effectiveness, such as:

Insufficient Organization: A well-defined structure is essential for clarity.

Excessive Detail: Too much information without context can confuse the reader.

Language Mistakes: Grammatical and spelling issues can diminish the report's credibility.

Audience Consideration: Not customizing content for the audience can reduce effectiveness.

Omitting Conclusions and Recommendations: Clear conclusions and actionable recommendations are crucial for impact.

Inappropriate Tense Usage: The report should be in the past tense.

Direct Speech Misuse: Use indirect speech.

Voice Misapplication: Passive voice should be utilized.

Perspective Issues: Reports must be composed in the third person.

Craft The Perfect Report WIth WPS Office

Reports can truly have a major part in shaping your ultimate future, so you want to make sure you have all the tools you need to know on how to write a report that allows you to submit it to perfection. WPS Office provides the resources and features necessary to help you achieve this goal. By using WPS Office, you equip yourself with all the necessary tools to write a perfectly formatted, professional report. Get WPS Office today to make your report writing better and ensure your reports contribute positively to shaping your future.

• 1. Step-by-step Guide to Using ChatGPT to Write a Report, Thesis and Dissertation
• 2. How To Write On A Pdf Documents Without Changing Format
• 3. Guide on how to write or create weekly report in Excel 2022
• 4. Guide on How to Write or Create Annual Report in Word 2022
• 5. Guide on how to write or create daily report in Word 2022
• 6. Ultimate Guide to Write A Seminar PDF Report

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How to cite ChatGPT

Use discount code STYLEBLOG15 for 15% off APA Style print products with free shipping in the United States.

We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

• Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
• Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

Other questions about citing ChatGPT

You may have noticed the confidence with which ChatGPT described the ideas of brain lateralization and how the brain operates, without citing any sources. I asked for a list of sources to support those claims and ChatGPT provided five references—four of which I was able to find online. The fifth does not seem to be a real article; the digital object identifier given for that reference belongs to a different article, and I was not able to find any article with the authors, date, title, and source details that ChatGPT provided. Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process. If the sources are real, accurate, and relevant, it may be better to read those original sources to learn from that research and paraphrase or quote from those articles, as applicable, than to use the model’s interpretation of them.

We’ve also received a number of other questions about ChatGPT. Should students be allowed to use it? What guidelines should instructors create for students using AI? Does using AI-generated text constitute plagiarism? Should authors who use ChatGPT credit ChatGPT or OpenAI in their byline? What are the copyright implications ?

On these questions, researchers, editors, instructors, and others are actively debating and creating parameters and guidelines. Many of you have sent us feedback, and we encourage you to continue to do so in the comments below. We will also study the policies and procedures being established by instructors, publishers, and academic institutions, with a goal of creating guidelines that reflect the many real-world applications of AI-generated text.

For questions about manuscript byline credit, plagiarism, and related ChatGPT and AI topics, the APA Style team is seeking the recommendations of APA Journals editors. APA Style guidelines based on those recommendations will be posted on this blog and on the APA Style site later this year.

Update: APA Journals has published policies on the use of generative AI in scholarly materials .

We, the APA Style team humans, appreciate your patience as we navigate these unique challenges and new ways of thinking about how authors, researchers, and students learn, write, and work with new technologies.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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