Free five-paragraph essay outline template
Organize your essay before you write: a five-paragraph outline with thesis, three body paragraphs and conclusion.
What's in this template
[Essay title]
[Your name] · [Class] · [Teacher] · [Date]
Introduction
- Hook: [A surprising fact, question or short story that grabs the reader]
- Background: [One or two sentences of context the reader needs]
- Thesis: [Your main argument in one sentence, previewing your three points]
Body paragraph 1: [First point]
- Topic sentence: [States the first reason that supports your thesis]
- Evidence: [Quote, fact or example, with source]
- Explanation: [How this evidence proves your point]
- Transition: [Link to the next paragraph]
Body paragraph 2: [Second point]
- Topic sentence: [States the second reason]
- Evidence: [Quote, fact or example, with source]
- Explanation: [How this evidence proves your point]
- Transition: [Link to the next paragraph]
Body paragraph 3: [Third point]
- Topic sentence: [States the third reason]
- Evidence: [Quote, fact or example, with source]
- Explanation: [How this evidence proves your point]
- Counterargument (optional): [An opposing view and why it falls short]
Conclusion
- Restate thesis: [Your argument in new words]
- Summary: [One sentence that ties together your three points]
- Closing thought: [Why this matters, or a question for the reader]
Works cited
- [Author last name, first name. Title. Publisher, year.]
- [Author last name, first name. "Article title." Website or journal, date.]