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From the OWL resource Developing an Outline
Sample Outline
Here is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.
What is the assignment?
Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.
What is the purpose of this essay?
To explain the process for applying to college
Who is the intended audience for this essay?
High school students intending to apply to college and their parents
What is the essay's thesis statement?
When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.
The College Application Process
- Choose Desired Colleges
- Visit and evaluate college campuses
- Visit and evaluate college websites
- look for interesting classes
- note important statistics
- student/faculty ratio
- retention rate
- Prepare Application
- Write Personal Statement
- Choose interesting topic
- Describe an influential person in your life
- favorite high school teacher
- grandparent
- Describe an influential person in your life
- Include important personal details
- volunteer work
- participation in varsity sports
- Choose interesting topic
- Revise personal statement
- Write Personal Statement
- Compile resume
- List relevant coursework
- List work experience
- List volunteer experience
- tutor at foreign language summer camp
- counselor for suicide prevention hotline