As the writer analyzes the essay and starts dividing it, he or she creates branches and sub-topics from the center concept. Then, facts that support the main sections branch off of the sub-topics. The writer then decides on the order of each of the main sections. Regardless of which format you choose to organize your work, remember that these methods are only tools. As a tool, an outline will not write your piece for you.
Outlines are only useful because they help to organize data.
For example, once an outline has been completed, the writer may simply plug in data where appropriate using standard essay format . In the sample essay response that follows, colors have been used to distinguish the different geographic features contained within the body paragraphs, as outlined in the outline formats above. A sample essay response. Below is a sample essay response based on the essay question at the top of this page. To illustrate how outlines can help organize an essay, the body paragraphs have been color-coded to correspond to the outlines illustrated above.