Informative Essay Outline

Informative essay outline toolkit

Action Item	Notes	Example
Step I Identify the Topic	The first step in creating an outline for an informative essay is to identify the topic you will be writing on, this would involve clearly stating what the essay is going to be about. This would provide your reader with an idea of what to expect in the essay.	If you are writing an essay on artificial intelligence, your topic can be “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Job Market”.
Step II Define the Objective	Once you've identified your topic, the subsequent step involves clarifying the purpose of your essay. The purpose of an informative essay is to educate your reader on a topic, its aim is to impart information to your reader.	If your objective is to elaborate on a topic or provide information regarding it, you can state, “The aim of the essay is to understand the advancement of AI and its impact on the job market”.
Step III Craft the Thesis	This section of your outline is dedicated to crafting the central argument, known as the thesis statement, for your essay. In the thesis statement of an informative essay, you need only present the narrowed topic that your reader will learn about and not express any personal opinion.	Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence, the job market is being reshaped which makes it necessary to get a deeper understanding of its impact.”
Step IV Main Points	Now, it's time to chart the course for your essay by outlining the key components. The basic structure of an informative is very simple, it will consist of 4-5 paragraphs the main purpose of which will be to convey information to your reader.	The main points for your essay could be The Rise of Artificial Intelligence Job Disruption and Automation Job Creation and Transformation
Step V Sub-points	After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples. In this section, you will explicitly outline the main points to be discussed and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments.	In your main point “The Rise of Artificial Intelligence”, sub-points you can include can be Provide an overview of the development and adoption of AI technologies. Highlight the rapid growth of AI in industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.
Step VI Evidence and Citations	Academic essays will require you to cite all information presented, along with the need to attribute examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Within this context, you should clearly outline the sources from which you will be citing information.	You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on the advancements in Artificial intelligence.
Step VII Introduction and Hook	A hook serves the purpose of capturing the reader's attention and piquing their curiosity. Generally, rhetorical questions are popular hooks for informative essays as they make the reader think about your topic.	You can start the introduction with a rhetorical question to create a hook like “If robots will do everything, what will humans do”. Then continue to provide an overview of the development of AI, and mention the increasing prevalence of AI.
Step VIII Conclusion	After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. To conclude an informative essay it is suggested that you include a brief summary of the main points and ask a provocative question as a call to action (CTA).	In the conclusion, you will reiterate the thesis statement, emphasizing the significance of understanding AI's impact on the job market, then summarize key points you made in the essay.
Step IX Transitions	Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. In an informative essay transition words are generally used to conclude the topic or perhaps add something to it.	In an informative essay, you can use words like “then”, and “lastly”, etc. to transition from one concept, idea, or sentence to another.
Step X Refine and Review	With your outline now complete, take a moment to revisit it, ensuring it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as you review.	Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points.

Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like

This is what your outline will look like

How to write an outline for an informative essay

1. Identify the topic

The first and crucial step in creating an outline for an informative essay is to clearly identify the topic you will be exploring. This is where you set the stage for your reader, providing them with a clear understanding of what your essay will cover. Your chosen topic should be specific and focused, ensuring that your reader knows what to expect. In this section, you should emphasize the importance of a well-defined topic and its role in guiding the entire essay.

2. Define the objective

Once your topic is established, the next step involves defining the objective of your informative essay. It's essential to clarify that the purpose of an informative essay is to educate and inform your reader about a particular subject. Your aim is to provide valuable insights and knowledge to your audience. Here, you should emphasize the educational aspect of your essay and how it aims to broaden the reader's understanding.

3. Craft the thesis

In this section, dedicate your efforts to crafting a concise and focused thesis statement for your informative essay. Your thesis statement should present the central theme or topic of your essay without expressing any personal opinions or biases. It serves as the guiding light for your entire essay. Emphasize the importance of a clear and informative thesis statement in guiding your essay.

4. Main points

Now, outline the main points that will structure your informative essay. Typically, an informative essay consists of several paragraphs, each dedicated to a specific aspect of your topic. These main points will serve as the foundation of your essay, each conveying valuable information to your reader. Highlight the simplicity of the informative essay's structure and the role these main points play in conveying information.

5. Sub-points

After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves providing in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples and evidence. In this section, you will explicitly outline the sub-points to be discussed under each main point, specifying the examples and data that will reinforce your arguments. Emphasize the need for concrete evidence and examples to support your informative essay.

6. Evidence and citations

Academic integrity is paramount in informative essays. Therefore, in this section, you should emphasize the importance of citing all information presented and attributing examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Clearly outline the sources from which you will be drawing information to ensure credibility. Highlight the necessity of rigorous research and proper citation practices in informative writing.

7. Introduction and hook

A captivating introduction is essential to engage your reader's attention. In this section, emphasize the significance of a hook—a compelling opening that sparks curiosity and encourages the reader to delve into your essay. Rhetorical questions, anecdotes, or surprising facts can serve as effective hooks for informative essays. Emphasize the role of the introduction in setting the tone for your essay.

8. Conclusion

After presenting your key points, it's essential to craft a thoughtful conclusion for your informative essay. The conclusion should summarize the main points and reiterate the thesis statement. Additionally, you can leave the reader with a thought-provoking question or a call to action to encourage further reflection. Highlight the role of the conclusion in leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

9. Transitions

Smooth transitions are essential to ensure the coherence and flow of your informative essay. Transition words and phrases help connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs seamlessly. In this section, emphasize the use of transition words to guide the reader through your essay's logical progression. Highlight the importance of these transitions in making the essay easy to follow.

10. Refine and review

Finally, stress the significance of revisiting and refining your outline. Ensure that it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as you review, ensuring that each point contributes effectively to your informative essay.