Making an Outline for an Essay
Beginning
Often called the introduction, as well, an introduction may have one or more of these;
a. an overview of the whole subject
b. background to the particular issue you are going to write about;
c. a definition or clarification of the main terms of the assignment;
d. an outline of the particular point of view you plan to take in the essay.
Middle
b. example-of whatever points you are making;
End
b. a summing-up that points out the larger significance or meaning of the main points;
c. A powerful image or quote that sums up the points you have been making.
You can begin to shape your ideas into an outline. Start with the most basic shape, using the fact every piece of writing has a Beginning, a Middle, and an End.
Beginning
Often called the introduction, as well, an introduction may have one or more of these;
a. an overview of the whole subject
b. background to the particular issue you are going to write about;
c. a definition or clarification of the main terms of the assignment;
d. an outline of the particular point of view you plan to take in the essay.
Middle
Often called the development. This is where you develop, paragraph by paragraph, the points you want to make. A development might include:
a. information-facts, figures, data;b. example-of whatever points you are making;
c. supporting material for your points-quotes, logical cause and effect workings, putting an idea into a larger context.
End
Often called the conclusion. You have said everything you want to say; but this time your readers are in danger of forgetting where they were going in the first place, so you remind them. A conclusion might include:
a. a recap of your main point, to jog the readers’ memories;b. a summing-up that points out the larger significance or meaning of the main points;
c. A powerful image or quote that sums up the points you have been making.