Essay Outline Templates — 5 Free Templates

Five plug-and-play essay outlines: argumentative, narrative, expository, compare-contrast, and rhetorical analysis.

Argumentative Essay Outline

  • I. Introduction (hook, context, thesis)
  • II. Body 1: Reason 1 + evidence
  • III. Body 2: Reason 2 + evidence
  • IV. Counterargument + rebuttal
  • V. Conclusion (restate thesis, stakes)

Narrative Essay Outline

  • I. Setting + main character
  • II. Inciting incident
  • III. Rising action
  • IV. Climax
  • V. Resolution + reflection

Compare-Contrast Outline (Block Method)

  • I. Introduction + thesis
  • II. Subject A: all features
  • III. Subject B: all features
  • IV. Synthesis: similarities + differences
  • V. Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I outline before drafting?

Yes — students who outline finish 40% faster on average and score higher on organization rubrics.