Lesson Three: Structure and Outline 
Introduction
The easiest
way to sabotage all the work you have done so far is to skip
this lesson. Writing is as much a discipline as it is an art,
and to ensure that your essays flow well and make sense, you
need to construct solid outlines before you write. Unless
you conscientiously impose structure around your ideas, your
essay will be rambling and ineffective. An outline should
make sense on its own; the ideas should follow logically in
the order that you list them. As you add content around these
main points, these words should support and reinforce the
logic of the outline. Finally, the outline should conclude
with an insightful thought or image. Make sure that the rest
of your outline reinforces this conclusion.
The body
paragraphs should consist of events, experiences, and activities
you have already organized in chronological order or in order
of importance. In many of the essays that our editors read,
the order of paragraphs seems to have been chosen at random.
Make clear why one point follows another: each point in your
outline should connect with the next; each main category should
be linked to your introduction or thesis; and each sub-category
should be linked to the main category. As you make your outline
you should be able to see where there are holes in your essay.
Continue on to
descriptions and examples of various essay structures,
a sample outline and essay, short essay strategies and samples,
and essay writing templates to help cure the worst
cases of writer's block.
Select One:
