1. Making an Outline A Plan That Builds an Essay ysa Es ---- ------ ---- --- - -- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- 2001 by Ruth LumanReferences

2. Introduction What is an outline ? Before you begin writing the firstdraft of your essay, it is best to makean outline. An outline is a generalplan of what you are going to write.You can compare making an outlineto drawing plans to build a house.Before one begins to build a house, itis best to draw up plans to make surethat a house is built in the way youwant. The same is true with writingan essay and making an outline. 3. IntroductionThe Benefits of an OutlineAn outline of an essay can be very helpful for tworeasons: An outline will help make your essay more organized. A careful plan will help your body paragraphs stay focused on the ideas in your thesis statement. An outline saves time for writers. Preparing anoutline can take time, but when you are finished,you will be able to write the rough draft of youressay more quickly than if you didnt have anoutline. 4. ExampleOutlineHere is an example of how a blank outline might look:Essay OutlineI. Introduction Thesis: _____________________II.Body Paragraph #1- Topic Sentence: _____________ A. supporting idea B. supporting ideaIII. Body Paragraph #2- Topic Sentence: ____________ A. supporting idea B. supporting ideaIV.Body Paragraph #3- Topic Sentence: ____________ A. supporting idea B. supporting ideaV. Conclusion 5. The ProcessMaking an Outline In a formal outline,Essay OutlineRoman numerals canI.IntroductionThesis: ____________________be used to representII. Body Paragraph #1- Topic Sentence: _________paragraphs. Capital A. supporting idealetters can be used toB. supporting idearepresent supportingIII. Body Paragraph #2- Topic Sentence: _________A. supporting ideadetails for the B. supporting ideaparagraphs. IV. Body Paragraph #3- Topic Sentence: _________ Click here to see aA. supporting ideaB. supporting idealist of Roman numerals.V.Conclusion 6. The Process Thesis StatementTo begin an outline, you need to start with your thesisstatement. The thesis statement will be your guidethroughout the process of writing your essay. From thethesis statement, you can begin writing the topic sentencesfor the body paragraphs in the outline.ESSAY OUTLINEThesis Statement Topic Sentence #1 Topic Sentence #2 Topic Sentence #3 7. The Process Topic SentencesThe topic sentence for each body paragraphshould support the thesis statement. The topicsentences need to agree with the main idea orsubpoints in the thesis statement; otherwise,the essay could be confusing. 8. The Process Topic SentencesTopic Sentence Paragraph #1: Thesis Statement The way you dress can have a bigimpact on an interview panels first A job interview can oftenimpressions of you.make or break your chancesof getting your dream job.Topic Sentence- Paragraph #2:There are several things that An interview is an opportunity foryou can do in an interview to potential employers to get to know youincrease the possibility of better, so it is important that youyour success such asanswer each question as completely asdressing properly,possible.answering interviewquestions thoroughly, and Topic Sentence- Paragraph #3:asking good questions at theBy preparing some thoughtfulend of the interview. questions for the end of the interview,you can show the panel that you haveprepared for the interview and wantthe job. 9. The Process Supporting Details Under the topic sentence for each paragraph,list some of the supporting details, examples,or ideas you want to include in each paragraph. 10. The Process Supporting Details II. Body Paragraph #1: Topic Sentence: The way you dress can have a big impact on an interview panels first impressions of you. A. Men and women should consider wearingdark suits. B. Conservative dress will show the interview supporting details,panel you are serious about what you do.examples, and ideasC. Dont carry too many things into theinterview. A notebook, pens, and/orlaptop computer should be carried in abriefcase. D. Hair and nails should be clean and neat. 11. for potential employers to get to know you Example Outline better, so it is important that you answer each question as completely as possible.I.Introduction- Thesis Statement: A jobA. Ask interviewers to repeat questionsinterview can often make or break your you dont understand.chances of getting your dream job. There areseveral things that you can do in an interviewB. Take some time to think about theto increase the possibility of your success questions before you answer.such as, dressing properly, answeringC. A notebook to write down key wordsinterview questions thoroughly, and askingin interview questions is sometimesgood questions at the end of the interview.helpful.II. Body Paragraph #1: IV.Body Paragraph #3:Topic Sentence: The way you dress can have a Topic Sentence: By preparing some thoughtfulbig impact on an interview panels first questions for the end of the interview, you canimpressions of you. show the panel that you have prepared for theA. Men and women should consider interview and want the job.wearing dark suits.A. Research the job and/or companyB. Conservative dress will show thebefore you go to the interview.interview panel you are seriousabout what you do.B. The interview is your opportunity toget to know your potential employer.C. Dont carry too many things into theAsk questions about company goals, interview. A notebook, pens, and/ormission, expectations of employees, laptop computer should be carried inetc. a briefcase.C. Dont ask questions about benefits orD. Hair and nails should be clean andsalary during the interview. Youneat.should try to get this informationIII.Body Paragraph #2:before you apply for the job.Topic Sentence: An interview is an opportunity IV.Conclusion: Dont underestimate theimportance of a good interview. 12. Practice ExerciseNow, you are ready to practice what youve learned. Click onthe button below to go back to Unit B. Print and complete theworksheet for Practice Exercise Two. 13. Roman Numerals I=1 XI= 11 II= 2 XII= 12 III= 3XIII= 13 IV= 4 XIV= 14 V= 5XV= 15 VI= 6 VII= 7 VIII= 8 IX= 9 X= 10 14. References Presentation by Ruth Luman: Modesto Junior College. This project incorporates portions of copyrighted works.These items are included under the fair use exemption ofthe U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared accordingto the educational fair use guidelines. They are restrictedfrom further use.