Basic Formal Outline
Essay Title
Introduction - Write out the entire introduction to your essay in complete
sentences, including an Attention Getter and then a Thesis Statement. The
Thesis Statement should be the purpose of your essay (your position) and
specific statement of its main idea in 1-2 complete sentences, identifying the
first, second, third (and so on) main points.
Body – This section discusses the Thesis Statement of your essay through
each of the Main Points. This section is to be kept in outline form either by
topic or by sentence.
I. Discussion of First Main Point
A. supporting details
1. examples, illustrations, and explanations
2. examples, illustrations, and explanations
B. supporting details
1. examples, illustrations, and explanations
2. examples, illustrations, and explanations
II. Discussion of Second Main Point
A. supporting details
1. examples, illustrations, and explanations
2. examples, illustrations, and explanations
B. supporting details
1. examples, illustrations, and explanations
2. examples, illustrations, and explanations
III. Discussion of Third Main Point
A. supporting details
1. examples, illustrations, and explanations
2. examples, illustrations, and explanations
B. supporting details
1. examples, illustrations, and explanations
2. examples, illustrations, and explanations
Conclusion – Write out the entire conclusion to your essay in complete
sentences, including a summary or rewording of your Thesis Statement and
its Main Points AND a Clincher to drive home your topic.
Basic Formal Outline Example
Down on Disney
Introduction
The famous phrase “Live. Love. Learn.” is definitely not about my family’s
vacations. Annoying siblings, snoring parents, and an uncle who always attracts
the wrong kind of attention from the cops makes me realize one can live with and
love people while learning not to like them. (Thesis) The worst family vacation we
took was to Disney World because of the long drive, my loud and annoying
relatives, and my uncle who wound up in jail.
Body
I. The long drive down
A. Over 1,000 miles to go
1. stupid jokes from my uncle
2. reading my brother his book way too many times
B. Stopping to eat and use the restroom
1. please not Mc’Donald’s (again)
2. my uncle’s cop jokes in front of the police
II. The happiest place on Earth – NOT!
A. Arriving at Disney World & the Hotel
1. hanging out in the park
2. trying to sleep
B. My uncle the stuntman
1. kiddie rides
2. throwing up on an old lady
III. Can we just go home already?
A. Packing up the car
1. my sister’s bink/blanket
2. my brother’s favorite book
B. Picking up my uncle from jail
1. waking him up
2. waiting for him to pack
Conclusion
I know I should “Live. Love. [and] Learn” when it comes to my family and our
vacations, but it is tough. My brother and sister are so obnoxious, my parents are
boring, and my uncle makes me realize I will always obey the law. Because my
the drive took forever, my relatives who went with us were loud and annoying,
and my uncle wound up in jail, my trip to Disney World was the worst family
vacation ever!