Planning an Essay Outline
ENG3U1
Making an outline is an essential part of the essay writing process. It’s kind of like using a map to plan a vacation. You
need to decide on the direction, the path, and the vehicles to get your there.
It’s important to understand that your essay is going to contain several key elements: a thesis
statement, limits, and different types of paragraphs. You are already familiar with introductions,
conclusions, and body paragraphs, but what you may not realize is that there are different types of
body paragraphs – developing and transitional. “Developing” paragraphs are the type we usually write
in 5-paragraph, hamburger essays. They contain the PPCs (point, proof, comment) that support your
thesis. They develop your limits. “Transitional” paragraphs serve another function. While they still
relate to your thesis, their job is to link body paragraphs together. They may or may not contain
PPCs, but they all explain where your essay has gone so far, and where it’s about to go next.
Below is a sample essay outline:
________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction:
Thesis: This is what I’m going to prove!
Suzanne Collins, the author of The Hunger Games, uses the character Katniss Everdeen to expose
her readers to the flaws of a dictatorship. As Katniss’s character shifts from secretly to overtly defiant,
she transforms into “the girl on fire”, an eternal flame that illuminates the oppressive government of
Panem.
Limits (the tools the author uses): This is how I’m going to prove my thesis!
 Juxtaposition of District 12 and The Capitol, which parallels the juxtaposition of Katniss and
Effie Trinket
 Katniss’s Person vs. Society conflict, demonstrated by the reaping and the existence of the
games
 Symbolism of the obstacles Katniss faces in the arena, which represent the difficulties of life in
Panem
 Extended fire metaphor (coal to eternal flame)
1st body paragraph (transitional): This paragraph is going to give some background details about
Katniss’s life in District 12 (Initial character). It will explain how Katniss has to hunt and secretly defy
the government in order to survive. It will also introduce the fire metaphor by referring to Katniss as
coal.
2nd body paragraph (developing):
Limit #1: Juxtaposition of District 12 and The Capitol, which parallels the juxtaposition of Katniss and
Effie Trinket; Katniss and District 12 show the loss of individual freedom and poverty; Effie and The
Capitol show the corruption of a dictatorship and excessive wealth.
3rd body paragraph (transitional): This paragraph will discuss how the loss of individual freedom
goes beyond District 12, and extends to all of Panem. It will provide some background on the Hunger
Games and reaping process, but not specific to Katniss.
4th body paragraph (developing):
Limit #2: Katniss’s Person vs. Society conflict, demonstrated by the reaping and the existence of the
games; Katniss’s has “no choice” but to volunteer on behalf of Primrose, which lights a spark within
her.
5th body paragraph (transitional): This paragraph will briefly describe the Hunger Games arena as
a microcosm of Panem; it is governed by President Snow, and only the residents of the Capital
benefit from them. It may mention how Katniss’s moves are under scrutiny; everyone in Panem is
watching her. She is under a microscope.
6th body paragraph (developing):
Limit #3: Symbolism of the obstacles Katniss faces in the arena, which represent the difficulties of life
in Panem; Katniss is now ablaze as she directly experiences the destructive, controlling, and
manipulative nature of a dictatorship.
7th body paragraph (developing):
Limit #4: Extended fire metaphor (coal to eternal flame); she is overtly defiant when she is about to
eat the poison berries and ruin the games; she takes back some power for the individual and
becomes a symbol of hope for those in all the oppressed districts.
Conclusion:
-Katniss changes from secretly defiant to openly defiant; she moves from knowing about
government’s oppressive nature (life in District 12) to experiencing it first hand in the arena; she
becomes “the girl on fire” – a symbol of eternal hope for the oppressed citizens of Panem.