Conventional Outline: Standard Outline Format For An Essay Or Research Paper

Conventional Outline: Standard Outline Format For An Essay

A conventional outline means the most commonly used method to outline essays and research papers. The standard outline for a research paper will be made up of three parts, that is, the introduction, the body, and a conclusion paragraph. The body will further be divided into three body paragraphs. In addition, every paper should contain a list of references to list all the sources used to write the paper.

Standard Outline Format For An Essay

A conventional outline format includes:

1. Paragraph 1: Introduction

Your introduction paragraph should include the following elements:

• Background information. You are required to provide enough background information in order for your readers to understand your topic.
• Thesis statement. Your thesis statement should indicate your essay’s topic, make your essay’s purpose clear and provide an overview of the three main supporting points in your essay. Your thesis statement should be your last sentence in the introduction paragraph.
• When writing in response to a text, your introduction should include the title, author and genre of the piece. 

2. Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph

The first body paragraph should:

• Start with a topic sentence that identifies one main idea that you will discuss as support for the thesis statement.
• Include supporting sentences. Use specific details, and prove them by using closely related examples to explain the main ides. The paragraph should have at least five to eight sentences.
• Include paragraph unity. This means that all ideas in a paragraph should be closely related to the topic sentence in order to further develop that topic sentence. All sentences in a single paragraph must be unified around a central point.

3. Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph.

This paragraph and any subsequent body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that indicates that a new idea is being introduced. Ensure that there is coherence. That is, there is connection among paragraphs and ideas. This paragraph should include:

• Transition words at the beginning of your body paragraph to move from one idea to the next within your essay.
• Clear connections among the paragraphs.

4. Paragraph 4: Third Body Paragraph

• You should begin this paragraph with the final topic sentence that relates back to the remaining point mentioned in the thesis statement.
• Prove this main idea with specific examples, details and relevant support.
• Ensure that you maintain paragraph unity. Each sentence must relate to your topic sentence.

5. Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Your conclusion should revise the overall purpose for writing and invite your readers to consider the implications of why your ideas are important. Ensure that you do not introduce new, unrelated ideas in the conclusion. The conclusion should:

• Restate your thesis statement. While restating your thesis statement, ensure that you do not repeat the same words that you have used in your introduction or body paragraphs.
• Summarize your major points.
• Leave the reader with a final thought to think about. 

6. References

Provide evidence for the sources from which you have drawn ideas from to support your topic sentences.