Essay outline generator
Give it a topic (and a thesis if you have one). You'll get an outline laid out as index cards: introduction, one card per body paragraph, and conclusion.
Your result will appear here on index cards you can copy.
Why outline at all?
An outline is where you find out whether your argument holds together, before you have spent hours on sentences. It is much easier to move a card than to rewrite three paragraphs. Writing centres such as Purdue OWL and the University of North Carolina's Writing Center recommend outlining for exactly this reason.
What goes on each card
- Introduction: hook, the context the reader needs, and your thesis.
- Each body paragraph: a topic sentence (one reason), the evidence you'll use, your analysis, and a transition.
- Counterargument (argumentative essays): the best objection and your answer to it.
- Conclusion: the thesis restated, how the points connect, and why it matters.
The generator never invents sources; it tells you what kind of evidence to look for. Prefer a blank structure? Use the essay outline templates.
Questions students ask
How detailed should an essay outline be?
Enough that you could hand it to a classmate and they would understand your argument: one line for each topic sentence, a note on the evidence, and the point of your analysis. Full sentences are optional.
How many body paragraphs should I have?
A 1,000-word essay usually has three body paragraphs; 2,000 words, four to six. Aim for roughly 150–250 words per body paragraph.
Can I change my outline while writing?
Yes. An outline is a plan, not a contract. If a better point emerges while you draft, update the outline and your thesis so they still match.