Begin with the introduction. Write the topic at top of the page. Below the topic, write the thesis. Beneath the thesis, write the subtopics. This will help organize what subtopics will be discussed in the body of the essay. List the topics in the exact order you want to bring them up in the body to make it easier to follow.
Write the first body paragraph outline for the essay. Beneath the introduction, write the first topic listed below the thesis statement. Below the topic title, write the transition line or opening sentence. This will be the sentence you will write with each new topic you discuss in the body of the essay. Beneath the opening sentence, list the supporting statements you want to bring up in the body. You can list as many supporting statements as necessary, but they should be relevant to your topic.
List as many topics or points as you will include in the body of your paragraph, but be aware of page or word limits.
List the conclusion in your outline. The conclusion can be a restatement of purpose in your essay or it can broaden the subject to make your argument stronger. List ideas or perceptions you might want to include in the conclusion so that when you write the essay you’ll have a general idea of how you want to conclude the paper.
List citations or sources. This will help organize your citations in one place. Include relevant information such as author name, name of documentation, date of publication, publisher or any other relevant information.