Get a structured outline for your essay based on the type of writing. Perfect for planning argumentative, expository, narrative, and more.
Defend a position with evidence
Select an essay type and click "Generate Outline"
Tip: Adding your topic and thesis makes the outline more personalized
Defend a position with evidence
Best for: debates, position papers, academic arguments
Explain or inform about a topic
Best for: explaining concepts, how-to guides, informative pieces
Tell a story or share an experience
Best for: personal essays, memoirs, creative writing
Analyze similarities & differences
Best for: analyzing options, literary analysis, evaluations
Convince the reader to act
Best for: opinion pieces, calls to action, advocacy
Present findings from research
Best for: academic papers, thesis work, scientific writing
WriteScholar can analyze your completed essay and provide AI-powered feedback on structure, grammar, citations, and academic style.
Build a structured outline for any essay type in 30 seconds. Pick the format, enter your topic and thesis, and the generator returns a ready-to-fill outline with introduction, body paragraphs, transitions, and conclusion sections. Copy it into your draft and start writing the body, not staring at a blank page.
Argumentative, expository, narrative, persuasive, compare-contrast, or research. The outline structure changes meaningfully, narrative essays use chronological flow; argumentative essays use claim-evidence-rebuttal.
A specific topic and thesis produce a more useful outline. If you don't have a thesis yet, our thesis generator (linked below) drafts one in seconds.
Three is standard for a 1,000-1,500 word essay. Five for a 2,000-3,000 word paper. Each body paragraph in the outline gets its own topic sentence stub and supporting-evidence prompts.
The outline appears with intro hook, thesis placement, body paragraph stubs, transitions, and conclusion sections. Copy it into your draft and start filling, the structure is already done.
Most blank-page paralysis comes from not having a structure. Get the outline first; the words come faster once you know where each paragraph is going.
Research papers need a literature review, methodology, results, and discussion. The "research" template lays out all four sections so you don't skip the methodology mistake everyone makes their first time.
Two organizational choices: block (all of A, then all of B) or point-by-point (A1 vs B1, A2 vs B2). The outline shows you both so you can pick what works for your topic.
In a 60-minute essay exam, spend the first 5 minutes on a quick outline. Generate one before the exam to memorize the structure, it carries you when the clock is ticking.
Narrative essays need a hook, a "why this matters" turn, and a reflective close. The narrative outline includes all three so your personal statement doesn't devolve into "and then I did X, and then I did Y".
A 50-bullet outline is a draft, not an outline. Aim for high-level structure (intro → 3 body sections → conclusion), then expand only on the body sections.
Most pros write the intro LAST. The body reveals what you actually argued; the intro should preview that. Outline the body, then frame the intro.
Every essay needs a "so what" answer. Why does this matter? The conclusion should land on it. If your outline doesn't have that ending, you're missing the point of the essay.
A strong body paragraph weaves 2-3 sources together. If your outline shows one paragraph = one source, you're writing summary, not analysis.
Each body paragraph should end with a sentence pointing toward the next. Not "Furthermore...", specific transitions that build the argument.
Skeleton outline shows 5 sections, each with a clear function. Filling in becomes much easier because you know what each section is for.
Block format covers all of A, then all of B (better for long essays). Point-by-point alternates by criterion (better for short, focused essays).
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