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- 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 December 6, 2021.
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.
Table of contents
Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, 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?
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.
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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
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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Caulfield, J. (2021, December 06). How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved March 3, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-outline/
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How to Write a Strong Informative Essay Outline [Template Included]
03 Nov 2021
Quick Navigation
❓What is an Informative Outline?
📑How to Structure an Informative Essay?
✒️Informative Essay Outline Template
✅Tips for an Informative Essay
If your teacher or professor is assigning an informative essay, it’s time to break out those study skills and get researching! An informative essay layout is not as simple as it seems. Not only do they require in-depth research and analysis, but they also demand that you present that information in a logical and organized manner.
Creating an effective informational essay format can be daunting at first glance, but this process is actually quite simple if you know where to begin.
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What is an informative outline.
Knowing how to write an informative essay outline template is essential because it provides the basis for structuring the paper. This informational essay outline contains key details about the work or research that you are doing.
There are many benefits to creating an informative outline:
- It helps to organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing.
- It gives others insight into what your research is about by including background information, sources, and conclusions.
- It provides an opportunity to share your work with others in a way that they can understand.
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How to Structure an Informative Essay Outline
Even an informative essay for sale will contain the same sections in the same order. These sections include the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. This will help to ensure that the essay is relevant to its audience and will help you to choose appropriate examples, focus points, and arguments for a five-paragraph essay. Even when the essay extends beyond 5 paragraphs, the same idea applies.
Introduction
The introduction should be focused, concise, and direct. It should make an argument that is clear, compelling, and well-reasoned. There are three aspects to an introduction that must always be included in an informative writing outline. The most important one is the hook. This is the sentence that sets the tone and mood of your essay and draws the reader in.
Next, a brief introduction of the main points should appear, flowing from one point to another logically without repeating itself or going off on tangents. The last part of the introductory paragraph should be the outline for informative essay thesis statement: the basis of thought for the entire essay. It must be clear and concise so that it can effectively communicate your message to your audience.
Body Paragraphs
The main purpose of a body paragraph is to provide evidence for the thesis statement in the first sentence – a definition, a fact, or a theory. Therefore, you should start each paragraph with its own topic sentence, which will refer back to the thesis statement in the previous sentence to support your claim.
You should make sure your topic sentence also states how you plan to prove your claim with evidence from the body paragraphs that follow. In addition, it is important to use specific evidence in your body paragraphs that clearly substantiate your claim without too much repetition or too much detail (to avoid being wordy).
Your conclusion will be the last thing your reader sees before they put the essay down. Therefore, it’s crucial that you make it 100% clear what you are trying to say. End on a strong note by restating the thesis (that which you wrote in the introduction).
It needs to connect back to everything you’ve written up until this point and tie everything together into a cohesive whole. An informative paper can be closed without posing a question.
Know how to structure your paper
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Informative Essay Outline Template
Consider the informative essay template below as an example of an informative essay structure on stress relief.
While the above example is a condensed version, an ideal informational writing outline includes as much detail as possible.
Outline for an Informative Essay Tips
As with any type of essay, there are several different ways to go about writing one. You can order an essay for unlimited informative essay outline examples, or use the following tips to help you improve your chances of making a meaningful contribution:
Make sure that you have a solid grasp of the topic before you begin writing. If you don't have much knowledge to draw from, it will be hard for your words to do justify it.
Do the appropriate research, then select the sources that are most reliable and relevant.
Keep in mind that an informative essay is not meant to be entertaining or engaging. Your purpose is simply to present information in as clear and concise a manner as possible.
You should also keep in mind that an informative essay is often harder than a narrative or expository essay. However, it is still possible to make it worthwhile by focusing on your point, keeping your tone neutral, and of course, drafting an informative essay outline template.
How Should a Writer Follow the Informative Essay Format and Style
The most common informational essay format is often APA, MLA, or Chicago. In many cases, the assigning professor or teacher will specify which should be used. Other times, it depends on what category the topic falls under. A business essay topic will most likely use an APA informative essay outline, but MLA is also accepted. However, a liberal arts topic would typically use MLA over APA or Chicago.
The most important thing about these style guides is consistency. While there are many minor variations in how these styles format different sections of your paper, you should stick to the same formatting rules whenever possible. Consistency helps to ensure that your paper looks right and makes it easier for readers to understand your work, as well as aids with avoiding plagiarism.
How is an Interesting Topic Chosen?
The best way to write a successful essay is to choose informative topics to write about which are actually essential for you. This will help you to stay motivated when you’re working on it and will also make the process feel less overwhelming.
To choose an interesting topic for your informative essay, you should consider two main things:
One is the relevance of your topic. What will this topic help you to achieve? Why is it significant? Is it relevant to the topic of your study or to your research interests?
The second thing to consider is the feasibility of your topic. Are there enough resources available to support you with your research? What will be the impact of publishing this topic? Can you think of any other ways that you could explore this topic that might make it more interesting for readers?
Remember, the best way to write an informative essay is to have a thesis statement at the beginning of your essay. This is the main idea that you will be arguing for throughout the entire paper.
Then you can focus on writing about the supporting facts or research that will help you prove your point. The next step is to write your informative essay using a 5-paragraph essay format. This means that you will have the main introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion that brings everything together.
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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.
Informative Essay — Purpose, Structure, and Examples
What is informative writing?
Informative writing educates the reader about a certain topic. An informative essay may explain new information, describe a process, or clarify a concept. The provided information is objective, meaning the writing focuses on presentation of fact and should not contain personal opinion or bias.
Informative writing includes description, process, cause and effect, comparison, and problems and possible solutions:
Describes a person, place, thing, or event using descriptive language that appeals to readers’ senses
Explains the process to do something or how something was created
Discusses the relationship between two things, determining how one ( cause ) leads to the other ( effect ); the effect needs to be based on fact and not an assumption
Identifies the similarities and differences between two things; does not indicate that one is better than the other
Details a problem and presents various possible solutions ; the writer does not suggest one solution is more effective than the others
Purpose of informative writing
The purpose of an informative essay depends upon the writer’s motivation, but may be to share new information, describe a process, clarify a concept, explain why or how, or detail a topic’s intricacies.
Informative essays may introduce readers to new information .
Summarizing a scientific/technological study
Outlining the various aspects of a religion
Providing information on a historical period
Describe a process or give step-by-step details of a procedure.
How to write an informational essay
How to construct an argument
How to apply for a job
Clarify a concept and offer details about complex ideas.
Explain why or how something works the way that it does.
Describe how the stock market impacts the economy
Illustrate why there are high and low tides
Detail how the heart functions
Offer information on the smaller aspects or intricacies of a larger topic.
Identify the importance of the individual bones in the body
Outlining the Dust Bowl in the context of the Great Depression
Explaining how bees impact the environment
How to write an informative essay
Regardless of the type of information, the informative essay structure typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Introduction
Background information
Explanation of evidence
Restated thesis
Review of main ideas
Closing statement
Informative essay introduction
When composing the introductory paragraph(s) of an informative paper, include a hook, introduce the topic, provide background information, and develop a good thesis statement.
If the hook or introduction creates interest in the first paragraph, it will draw the readers’ attention and make them more receptive to the essay writer's ideas. Some of the most common techniques to accomplish this include the following:
Emphasize the topic’s importance by explaining the current interest in the topic or by indicating that the subject is influential.
Use pertinent statistics to give the paper an air of authority.
A surprising statement can be shocking; sometimes it is disgusting; sometimes it is joyful; sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.
An interesting incident or anecdote can act as a teaser to lure the reader into the remainder of the essay. Be sure that the device is appropriate for the informative essay topic and focus on what is to follow.
Directly introduce the topic of the essay.
Provide the reader with the background information necessary to understand the topic. Don’t repeat this information in the body of the essay; it should help the reader understand what follows.
Identify the overall purpose of the essay with the thesis (purpose statement). Writers can also include their support directly in the thesis, which outlines the structure of the essay for the reader.
Informative essay body paragraphs
Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, evidence, explanation of evidence, and a transition sentence.
A good topic sentence should identify what information the reader should expect in the paragraph and how it connects to the main purpose identified in the thesis.
Provide evidence that details the main point of the paragraph. This includes paraphrasing, summarizing, and directly quoting facts, statistics, and statements.
Explain how the evidence connects to the main purpose of the essay.
Place transitions at the end of each body paragraph, except the last. There is no need to transition from the last support to the conclusion. A transition should accomplish three goals:
Tell the reader where you were (current support)
Tell the reader where you are going (next support)
Relate the paper’s purpose
Informative essay conclusion
Incorporate a rephrased thesis, summary, and closing statement into the conclusion of an informative essay.
Rephrase the purpose of the essay. Do not just repeat the purpose statement from the thesis.
Summarize the main idea found in each body paragraph by rephrasing each topic sentence.
End with a clincher or closing statement that helps readers answer the question “so what?” What should the reader take away from the information provided in the essay? Why should they care about the topic?
Informative essay example
The following example illustrates a good informative essay format:
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Tips on How to Write Informative Essay
In today's world of information overload, it's challenging to find sources that give information that is well-written, engaging, and trustworthy. That's why creating an informative essay is a skill that will serve you well not just in school but in many work environments, as well as when you establish your online presence. In this article, you will learn what an informative essay is, about the informative essay format, get an informative essay outline, step-by-step directions for every paragraph, a list of topics for informative essays, and other tips to make your process easier. The goal of this article is to prepare you to write your own informative essay and to be able to pick out dissertation writing services if you need to.
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What Is An Informative Essay?
An informative essay is a piece of writing with the goal of giving the reader information about a subject, event, experience, company, thing, or concept. An informative essay relies on facts and is backed up by reliable sources. It does not use subjective opinion or personal anecdotes to present a viewpoint or persuade the reader. Informative essays educate a reader about the important facts of a topic, often diving deep into the subject and presenting interesting relationships and information. Informative essays are somewhat unique because amongst the four main types of essays, narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive, informative essays can be any of the first three.
Variations of an Informative Essay
Since the goal of an informative essay is just to present information to the audience, many types of essays can be considered informative essays. Expository essays are the most similar to informative essays because the goal of both of them is to provide information to the reader. The main difference is that in an expository essay you usually include a thesis statement that has the goal of explaining something, not just giving information. Narrative and descriptive essays can be informative essays as long as they only present information rather than try to persuade the reader about something. Here are some common variations of informative essays.
A cause and effect essay analyzes the relationship between two things by determining how something happened or the effect it had. Cause and effect essays can be argumentative if you are trying to establish cause or effect, or they can be informative if you are purely giving information about the connection between two things. For example, “Why should the government ban the usage of single-use plastic to protect the environment” is an argumentative cause and effect essay, whereas “An analysis of the connection between plastic and long-term pollution” is an informative essay.
A descriptive essay describes a person, thing, event, or situation with the goal of making it as real as possible in the reader's imagination. It uses evocative imagery and appeals to the five senses to relate experiential information. A descriptive essay can be written with an eventual purpose, or it can be written just to provide information. For example, “ Why beach vacations are the best” is not an informative writing but “An incredible afternoon at the beach” can be one.
A process essay is almost always an informational essay. It explains how to do something or explain how something was created. Step-by-step guides and how-to tutorials are great examples of process essays.
A compare and contrast essay analyzes the similarities or differences between two related things. They can be either argumentative or informative based on the purpose of the essay. For example “Why Xbox is better than PlayStation” is an argumentative compare and contrast essay, whereas “The differences and similarities between Xbox and PlayStation” is an informative compare and contrast essay.
A problem-solution essay analyzes a problem and offers various solutions to it. These types of essays can be persuasive if one solution is considered better than the rest or informative if it is just presenting various possible solutions. For example, “The best way of fixing chronic unemployment” is a persuasive problem solution essay, whereas “Different methods to alleviate unemployment” is an informative problem solution essay.
Informative Essay Outline
Creating an outline is a step that many students skip, but an outline is one of the most useful ways of focusing your research and planning the overall structure and flow of your essay. Spend a little extra time on your outline and you can save a lot of time when actually writing. An informative essay outline is similar to the general 5 paragraph structure of essays but with a few important differences. Let's take a look at one from our nursing essay writer .
- Introduction paragraph
- Background information
A thesis statement or a sentence explaining the main purpose of the essay
- Transition sentence
- Body paragraph 1
A topic sentence about the first main idea or fact being presented
- Supporting evidence and facts
- Transition to the second paragraph
- Body paragraph 2
A topic sentence about the second main idea or fact being presented
- Transition to the third paragraph
- Body paragraph 3
A topic sentence about the third main idea or fact being presented
- Transition to the conclusion
- Summary of the main ideas
- Restate the thesis statement or main purpose
- Final thoughts
- Informative essays benefit from an outline because it helps structure the essay. As you conduct research, think about the three main ideas you want to present and note down interesting facts you find in the appropriate place in the outline along with its sources. You should understand the outline and think about it even when considering topics for your essay. If all of this seems like a lot to handle already and you're thinking 'I would rather have someone help me with physics' or 'i need help from a professional essay editor ', then this is a great time to reach out for some additional help.
Informative Essay Introduction
Just like any other essay, the informative essay introductory paragraph has the goal of giving the reader a little bit of information about what the essay will be about. Starting with a hook to grab the reader's attention is always a good idea, followed by some background information about the topic and finally, the thesis statement.
Informative Essay Body
The body of an informative essay typically consists of 3 paragraphs that contain the information you want to share with the reader. Each main paragraph should talk about one main interesting fact about the topic so that the essay is clear and easy to understand. Even though the goal of an informative essay is to provide information, only include the most important and relevant facts. Make sure that every piece of information you include is cited and comes from a reliable source.
Informative Essay Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is the single most crucial sentence in the entire essay as it contains informative writing aims. A good thesis statement clearly states the purpose of the essay. You should come up with a thesis statement after picking a topic and doing some research. A good thesis statement will help guide your research so that you know exactly what you're looking for. It also helps structure the essay by clearly explaining to the reader what they can expect. A thesis statement for an informative essay does not make arguments or a persuasive claim, rather it clearly states what information will be conveyed. For example, a good informative essay thesis statement looks like “There are three main ways how the renaissance impacted modern western civilization”.
Informative Essay Conclusion
Like most other essays, the conclusion of an informative essay summarizes the main pieces of information. Remind the reader about the purpose of the essay, explain why it is important, and leave them with a few questions to think about.
Always check the final draft for accurate information into the the main points, supporting ideas, and transition words.
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Informative Essay Topics
Choosing an informative essay topic is more difficult than it seems. Because the goal of an informative essay is to give information about a subject, almost anything can be an informative essay topic. Don't just start writing about the first topic that pops into your head, spend some time brainstorming several different topics and do a little bit of research about all of them. How do you narrow down a good topic?
- The topic should not be so broad that you cannot explain it
- The topic should not be so specific that there isn't a lot of information about it
- The topic should be interesting to the audience
- You should find the topic personally interesting so that you enjoy the research and writing process
- Your topic should explain something that is important
Make sure you spend enough time coming up with a good topic. If you find it difficult, go through some informative essay examples to understand what kind of information you will have to find, or go through this list of informative essay topics for inspiration!
10 Education Topic Examples
- What are the pros and cons of standardized testing?
- How to improve your memory.
- What are the benefits of mentor programs?
- What are the main ways University can benefit your life?
- Students should be allowed to choose their subjects.
- Educational systems in different countries.
- What are the most difficult exams in the world?
- How does education help reduce social imbalance?
- How to write an informative essay.
- The importance of being well-rested before an exam.
10 Political Topic Examples
- How the French Revolution set the foundation for modern democracy.
- Reasons why the world is more politically divided now.
- Why has China expanded so rapidly?
- The pros and cons of various political systems.
- How to start a conversation with someone on the other side.
- The steps to becoming president of the USA.
- What would be the impact of another World War?
- What are the main differences between liberals and conservatives?
- How do elections in a neighboring country impact your country?
- Describe the life of an important political leader.
10 Social Topic Examples
- What are the steps to reducing the social stigma associated with mental disorders?
- Explain the history of media censorship.
- How does where you live affect your possibilities in life?
- What is the importance of Jane Goodall?
- Why are people so quick to judge others?
- What can we learn about humans by observing other animals?
- How did the pandemic affect the richest people on the planet?
- What is the best way to donate money to charitable causes?
- What are the most effective ways to reduce bullying in schools?
- How does social media impact loneliness?
10 History Topic Examples
- Describe your favorite time in history.
- What are the origins of the English language?
- An analysis of your family tree.
- What did the ancient Egyptians sound like?
- How did ancient civilizations keep track of time?
- 3 things considered normal in the past that are considered evil now.
- Trace the history of a royal European family.
- What Africa was like before the arrival of the Europeans.
- What was the importance of the silk trade route?
- How did the last mass extinction pave the way for mammals?
10 Business Topic Examples
- Three reasons why global supply chains are bad for the environment.
- What are the most effective social media marketing strategies?
- What are the biggest challenges to starting your own small business?
- How do government policy changes impact business decisions?
- How to bring a product to a new market.
- How data and information are becoming commodities.
- What is the long-term impact of cryptocurrency?
- What were the benefits of the barter system?
- Why do some countries have different child labor laws?
- How to identify business opportunities.
Tips for Writing an Informative Essay
Writing an informative essay can be a lot of fun if you know what you're doing. As long as you choose a good topic, understand the informative essay structure, and spend some time planning, it will be easy. Keep the following things in mind when writing your essay.
- Make sure you understand the specifics of the assignment
- Brainstorm several topic ideas
- Research several ideas before making a final choice
- Come up with a thesis statement
- Make an outline
- Write an engaging introduction paragraph with a clear thesis statement
- Write body paragraphs that present one idea backed by reliable sources
- Don't present new information in the conclusion paragraph, restate your main pieces of information and your thesis
Before Writing
Before you begin writing the paper, read the assignment carefully so that you know exactly what is expected. The word count, expected quality of sources, specific subjects to talk about, etc, will guide your choice of topic. It can be difficult to choose a topic, which is why you should brainstorm several ideas and research them to make sure there is enough interesting information to put into your essay. Once you have settled on a topic, conduct thorough research and put the information you find into the outline so that you get a feel for what the final essay will look like. Think about possible thesis statements while you are initially narrowing down your list of topics because this will help guide your in-depth research.
While Writing
- While writing your essay, these are the most important things to keep in mind.
- Keep the introduction paragraph short
- Don't use overly complicated terms unless it suits the topic
- Each main paragraph should only present one main supporting piece of information
- Always keep in mind that you should not make an argument or try to convince the reader of something. The goal of an informative essay is to provide information.
- Do not present new information in the conclusion.
- Try reading the finished essay as if you know nothing about the subject to make sure it makes sense and has a good flow.
How to Write an Informative Essay
It's finally time to get to actually writing an informative essay! Now that you understand all the pieces and have done your planning, use your informative essay outline to start writing the essay. Let's go over each part in depth.
How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction
Are you wondering how to start an informative essay? Well, an introduction paragraph's goal is to pique the reader's interest and briefly tell them what the essay is going to be about. An introduction isn't complicated to write as long as you follow the right structure.
- Thesis statement
The very first sentence should be a hook. An interesting fact, question, or statement that engages the reader and makes them want to read more. Follow this up with some brief background information about the main topic. A thesis statement for an informative essay is different from a thesis statement for other types of essays because there is no argument to be made or claim to support. Rather the thesis statement should clearly state the purpose of the essay. End the introduction paragraph with a transition sentence that improves the overall flow of the essay.
How to Write an Informative Essay Body
Following the five-paragraph format of essay writing, there should be three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should talk about a specific piece of information or fact that you want to explain to the reader. The structure is:
- Topic sentence about the idea or fact being presented
- Transition to the next paragraph
You can learn a little more information from our explanatory essay example .
The body of the essay is where you present the interesting information about the topic. Depending on the type of informative essay, these could be general facts shown in a new light, little known or new facts meant to educate the reader, or the steps in a how-to guide. Make sure you back up any statements you make with reliable sources. End each paragraph with a transition sentence to improve the overall flow of the essay.
How to Write an Informative Essay Conclusion
A good conclusion is one of the most difficult things to write. It has to sum up all the major points of the informative paper while tying them all together and leaving the reader with some kind of new insight. This is the structure of a conclusion paragraph.
Start the conclusion with a recap of the topic sentences of each body paragraph to remind the reader of the main pieces of information you want them to take away. Next, remind them of the thesis statement so that they connect the pieces of information to the overall purpose of the essay. Finally, ask them a question or suggest why the information is important so that they continue thinking about the essay after they are done reading it.
You also need to consider the fact that you need to know about how to write a precis .
Informative Essay Examples
Students should apply as many scholarships and grants as possible. The money paid by the scholarships go directly to cater for college cost, and the student does not have to repay the money, this reduces the amount of money paid out of pocket to student loans. They can look for a scholarship by visiting websites such as studentscholarshipsearch.com and scholarship.com or visiting their guidance office to learn more on local scholarship. Scholarships can be secured before and throughout college (Snider, 2014, p.2).
According to Lin (2000), Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) is one of the few biometric systems that help identify an individual based on their biological characteristics. Researchers from diverse fields including security, computer vision, image processing, and psychology have gained a deep interest in the technology, owing to its high accuracy and low intrusiveness. FRT works by identifying and verifying an individual’s still image or video of a scene and confirming it with one stored in a database. This paper aims at investigating the basic functioning of FRT, areas of applications, and challenges in FRT.
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Final words
You should now know how to write an excellent informative paper! In this guide from our essay service , we've covered what an informative essay is, how to choose a good topic, how to come up with an outline, step-by-step instructions on how to write each paragraph, and several tips and general advice. If you follow the advice given here you will have a fun writing experience and get the chance to share information about a topic you feel passionate about. Good luck!
Read the Article and Still Have Questions?
Informative essays tend to be difficult assignments for students as sometimes explaining certain concepts takes a lot more critical thinking than expected. This causes students to submit low-quality work and receive poor grades for their efforts.
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Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023
Learn How to Create an Informative Essay Outline
By: Jared P.
Reviewed By: Melisa C.
Published on: Jun 1, 2021
An informative essay is written to educate readers on a particular topic. This type of essay can be written for several purposes, such as defining a term or comparing and contrasting something. This type of essay doesn’t require your opinion on the topic.
The purpose of writing an informative essay is to educate others on a certain topic. You should not express your opinion and do not try to persuade others to take a certain action.
If you are writing an informative essay for the first time, better create an outline first. The informative essay outline will help you structure your essay in the best way possible.
In this blog, you will learn about the basic rules for creating an informative essay outline. These guidelines and a sample outline are designed to help students get started with their projects successfully.
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What is an Informative Essay Outline?
An informative essay outline is like a checklist or action plan that you need to complete. The outline helps the writer not to lose focus while working on the essay. Creating an outline is not necessary, but expert writers recommend it. An outline is the only way not to get lost in the middle of the writing process.
The purpose of an outline for an informative essay is to highlight ideas that you want to include in your essay.
Writing an outline is important because of the basic structure that it provides. In addition, the outline should contain some specific details regarding the layout of the essay. Creating an outline prior to the essay writing process is the key to writing a successful essay.
How to Write an Informative Essay Outline?
The layout of an informative essay is similar to other types of academic essays. These include argumentative essays, persuasive essays, narrative essays, etc.
The outline for an informative essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Understanding what to include in each part of the informative essay is very important for a successful informative essay.
Informative Essay Introduction
Any idea how to start an informative essay?
Remember this is the section where you need to introduce your topic and provide a thesis statement. In a few lines, introduce the topic you are writing your essay on and provide some background information.
The introduction should end with a strong thesis statement. This statement should tell the audience what direction your essay is going to take. Therefore, make sure the thesis statement is brief, clear, and concise.
Tips for Writing an Effective Introduction:
- Make sure to narrow down the scope of your essay.
- There must be a connection between your introduction and thesis statement.
- Hook your readers at the start of your introductory paragraph.
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Informative Essay Body Paragraphs
The main body of an informative essay is usually composed of three paragraphs. There are two things that you should consider while composing the body paragraphs of an informative essay. One is the target point, and the second is supporting facts.
Each body paragraph of an informative essay should begin with an idea (topic sentence). This is one sentence statement on which the whole paragraph will be based on. This statement must be in cohesion with the thesis statement written in the introductory paragraph.
After that, provide supporting evidence from the most credible sources. The evidence you provide must relate to your main target point. Don’t forget to quote sources and properly cite information to avoid plagiarism.
At the end of each body paragraph, summarize your points and explain their relevance to the thesis statement. Effective body paragraphs for an informative essay depend on the following points.
- Making a claim
- Evidence in support of the claim
- Provide an explanation in the last
The informative essay can have more than three body paragraphs depending upon the chosen topic.
Tips for Effective Body Paragraphs:
- Do not provide your opinion or point of view on the topic.
- Completely rely on facts and research.
- Discuss the strongest point in the first body paragraph.
- Don’t forget to use transition words for a smooth flow of information in your body paragraphs.
Informative Essay Conclusion
This is the last part where you need to wrap up your information. Begin the conclusion by restating the thesis statement. After that, write about your major arguments and their purpose. The goal of the conclusion is to provide the reason for your informative essay and its importance in the real world.
The conclusion should describe the purpose of your informative essay and what it means for your readers. You should summarize your key arguments and provide a strong closing statement to summarize all your key points.
Tips for a Strong Conclusion:
- Highlight the key points of your argument.
- Do not introduce any new ideas in the conclusion.
- Restate the thesis in other similar words and terms.
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Informative Essay Outline Template Free
Most of the essay outline contain the same elements. But each essay outline has particular points that you need to focus on. It is important to be well-aware of the distinctive features to come up with a good informative paper.
INFORMATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE ELEMENTARY
5Th TO 8TH GRADE INFORMATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE TEMPLATE
INFORMATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE TEMPLATE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
INFORMATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE HIGH SCHOOL
INFORMATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Informative Essay Outline Example
Wondering where you can get free informative essay outline examples? Having a well-written example in hand will help you in coming up with successful work. You can easily find many informative essay examples online for your help.
5 PARAGRAPH INFORMATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE
Sample Informative Essay Outline
Hopefully, the above guidelines and examples help you in writing a great informative essay. However, informative writing is sometimes not easy, especially when you are working on an unfamiliar topic.
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Masters Essay, Literature
Jared P. is a renowned author and writing service provider with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He has a Ph.D. degree in English Literature and has spent his entire career helping students achieve their academic goals by providing expert writing assistance.
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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.
This informational essay outline contains key details about the work or research that you are doing. There are many benefits to creating an informative outline: It helps to organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing.
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.
Informative writing includes description, process, cause and effect, comparison, and problems and possible solutions: Describes a person, place, thing, or event using descriptive language that appeals to readers’ senses Explains the process to do something or how something was created
An informative essay contains an introductory paragraph that begins with a hook sentence and contains the topic sentence, or thesis. The body of the essay generally contains three to five...
Informative essays benefit from an outline because it helps structure the essay. As you conduct research, think about the three main ideas you want to present and note down interesting facts you find in the appropriate place in the outline along with its sources.
The outline for an informative essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Understanding what to include in each part of the informative essay is very important for a successful informative essay. Informative Essay Introduction Any idea how to start an informative essay?