Essay Outline Components

Introduction

  • Gets your reader's attention
  • Explains the significance of the subject
  • Lays out your thesis statement: arguable, specific, researchable, and personally meaningful and interesting
  • Offers a map of your paper as whole

Evidence

Your best support for your argument (conventionally at least three separate points), with all source material cited:

  • LOGICAL APPEAL
  • EMOTIONAL APPEAL
  • ETHICAL APPEAL

Defining Key Terms

Defines technical jargon, ambiguous words and phrases, names, and any other words which will be key in developing your argument.

You must make sure that your readers understand the way in which you are using your most important terms.

Opposition

A respectful look at the viewpoint of the opposition, with their arguments backed by sources:

  • OPPONENT'S EVIDENCE
  • YOUR CONCESSION ON SOME LEVEL
  • REFUTATION WITH STRONGER EVIDENCE OF YOUR OWN

Conclusion

An ending which anticipates questions or objections, ties up loose ends, makes
any last connections, and finishes strongly with an appeal for action.