How to Write a Winning Informative Essay Outline (2021 Update)
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Informative essays are among the most frequently assigned papers in high school and college. They aim at equipping students with the know-how on conveying relevant information about a specific topic. The content focuses on facts and not on personal opinions.
The purpose of an outline for an informative essay is to convey information straightforwardly and concisely. It is therefore, essential to master the steps on how to write a killer informative essay outline.
But first, you need to master the structure of the paper. So, how do you write an informative essay?
Informative Essay Structure
What are the parts of an informative essay? All essays have a nearly similar structure, although each one of them has distinctive peculiarities and features. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration the intricate parts of your assignment to ensure it meets the lecturer’s requirements.
An outline for an informative essay should contain each one of these seven parts:
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An Impressive Title
The title is the first catch in any essay, and it determines whether the reader will devote their attention to your work. Therefore, you should brainstorm several ideas before settling on one. You should also ensure that the title reflects the main view of the topic, and it should not be too long. The scope of the topic should not be too broad or too narrow.
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A Powerful Beginning
How do you start an informative essay introduction? The introduction should be captivating enough to capture your reader’s attention. Beginning with a definition would do justice to your assignment, but a powerful hook would be better.
The hook could be a fact, statistics or news, and it should attract the reader’s attention. It is important to note that the definitions should be from credible sources.
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Thesis Statement
The thesis statement should be so well structured that the reader should feel compelled to keep on reading. It should contain several sentences which frame the topic. Before proceeding to come up with the thesis statement, develop the fundamental idea of the entire research undertaking.
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The First Paragraph of the Main Body
The first paragraph should reveal the purpose of your writing. You ought to start by introducing the topic. The length of the body is dependent on the number of arguments.
It is also important to devote a paragraph to a unique idea. Each paragraph should also have facts supporting your opinion. In your citation, mention the names of researchers and scientists behind your claims.
Conduct extensive research on the topic and consider it from different angles. Regardless of the subject in question, there will be other points of view. In that case, before embarking on analytical writing, it is paramount to look at the different sides of the spectrum.
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Your Data and Information
By the time the reader gets to this point, they should have clarity about the key idea. The evidence should be related to the thesis statement and should validate your claims. Without evidence, your essay will not hold any value, and the reader will consider it opinionated.
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The Last Paragraph of the Main Part
The last paragraph of the main part should display the most valuable information about the topic. It should be so detailed that the reader has no questions about the subject.
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Conclusion
Lead the essay to the end by summarizing the points discussed in the body. The outline should repeat the idea mentioned in the thesis, although it should not be in verbatim.
The last sentence should give recommendations about the investigation of the topic. This sentence should also explain how the reader can benefit from the mentioned research findings.
Informative Essay Outline Template
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How do you write an outline for an informative essay? Consider the template below as an example of an informative essay on stress relief:
Topic: Stress Relief
Hook: Relieving stress should not always be a challenge for people struggling with anxiety-related symptoms.
Main points: Potential forms of help include exposure to the sun, exercise and acupuncture.
Thesis statement: The most effective tools to overcome stress are fresh air and sunlight, physical activity and alternative medicine.
Body section 1: Exposure to the sun is a form of stress relief
Evidence: Scientific reasoning
Analysis: Analyze studies
Body 2: Alternative medicines
Evidence: Acupuncture and science
Analysis: Analyze results
Body 3: Exercise as a form of stress relief
Evidence: Scientific reasoning
Analysis: Analyze studies
Conclusion: Paraphrase the thesis statement and cite the recommendations highlighted in the body paragraphs.
Restate thesis statement differently: Great ways to find stress relief are physical activity, getting outside, and trying alternative medicines.
Briefly explain why the thesis is true
While the above example is a condensed version of an informational essay format, a good outline includes as much detail as possible.
If you were stuck on how to write an informative essay, these steps must have proven how straightforward it is. It is mandatory to follow the essay outline to avoid unnecessary editing and mistakes. The essay outline also makes it easy to arrange your ideas.