Standard Essay

Outline Guide
Title ___________________________________________________________________

I.

Introductory paragraph
A. Lead-in sentence ________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
B. Thesis statement/sentence _________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
C. Reasons why thesis is true (at least 3) ______________________________

__________________________________________________________________
II.

Body paragraphs
A. Paragraph #1 = Reason #1
1. Topic sentence ____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
2. Example _________________________________________________
a. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
b. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
3. Example _________________________________________________
a. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
b. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
4. Clincher/closing sentence ___________________________________

____________________________________________________________
B. Paragraph #2 = Reason #2
1. Topic sentence ____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
2. Example _________________________________________________
a. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
b. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Example _________________________________________________
a. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
b. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
4. Clincher/closing sentence ___________________________________

____________________________________________________________
C. Paragraph #3 = Reason #3
1. Topic sentence ____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
2. Example _________________________________________________
a. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
b. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
3. Example _________________________________________________
a. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
b. Supporting detail ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
4. Clincher/closing sentence ___________________________________

____________________________________________________________
III.

Concluding paragraph
A. Restate thesis statement __________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
B. State your opinion ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
C. Concluding statement ____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Note: This essay outline is only a simplified guide to assist you in writing a wellorganized literary essay. As you become more experienced, you will find yourself
straying from this guide.