How to Create a Clearly Structured Essay Outline | Scribbr 🎓

Summary

In this video, Jessica from Scribbr explains how to create an effective outline for an essay, using the example of Braille's development. She discusses the importance of having a clear thesis and organizing ideas into broad themes: the situation of blind people before Braille, the invention and spread of Braille, and the consequences of its creation. The video emphasizes the importance of logically structuring arguments and grouping related ideas together. Jessica also demonstrates how to effectively arrange the essay's points and use evidence to support the thesis, offering helpful tips for writing an essay with a strong, cohesive argument.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creating an outline for your essay helps structure your argument and keeps you on track while writing.
• 😀 An outline involves summarizing the points you'll cover in each paragraph, which helps in organizing your material.
• 😀 The topic of the essay in the script is about the development of Braille, the tactile reading and writing system for visually impaired people.
• 😀 Having a clear thesis is crucial when creating an essay outline. In this case, the thesis is about how Braille transformed blind people's social status in the 19th century.
• 😀 Organizing your material into broad themes is key for building your argument. The themes here are: the situation of blind people before Braille, the invention and spread of Braille, and its consequences.
• 😀 Each point in your outline should directly relate to your thesis and contribute to building a coherent argument.
• 😀 When discussing the invention and spread of Braille, it's important to emphasize that existing tactile systems were ineffective, and Braille was specifically designed to meet the needs of blind people.
• 😀 Chronological order can be an effective structure for an essay, especially when discussing a series of events like the invention of Braille.
• 😀 A logical flow is important in an essay, so it’s important to consider what order your points should appear in to maintain a smooth transition between ideas.
• 😀 After organizing your ideas, the next step is to think about the evidence and analysis needed to support your points.
• 😀 Once the outline is completed, the next step is to begin writing your essay, starting with a well-crafted introduction.

Q & A

What is the first step in writing an essay according to the script?

The first step is to create an outline by organizing the material you've gathered and mapping out the rough structure of the essay. This helps to stay on track and easily begin the writing process.

Why is it important to have a thesis or argument before creating an outline?

Having a thesis or argument is essential because it serves as the central point around which all the essay's material and arguments will revolve. It ensures that the essay remains focused and cohesive.

How can you organize the material for an essay effectively?

Organize your material by grouping ideas into broad themes that align with your thesis. This allows you to create a logical structure for your essay and helps ensure each point supports the overall argument.

What are the three main themes for the essay on the invention of Braille?

The three main themes for the essay are: 1) The situation of blind people before Braille’s invention, 2) The invention and spread of the Braille system, and 3) The consequences of Braille’s invention.

How should points be made under each theme in the outline?

Each point under a theme should be clearly related to the thesis and contribute to building a coherent argument. For instance, under the theme 'invention and spread of Braille,' key points include the inadequacy of existing systems and the design of Braille for blind people's needs.

What role does the order of themes play in an essay structure?

The order of themes is crucial for a logical flow. It ensures that one point naturally leads to the next, providing a smooth transition between ideas. In this case, a chronological approach works well for discussing the events around Braille’s invention.

Why is a chronological approach recommended in this essay?

A chronological approach is recommended because the essay deals with a sequence of events. Discussing them in the order they occurred helps show how they are interrelated and provides a clear narrative that supports the argument.

What is the main argument of the essay on Braille?

The main argument is that the invention of Braille helped transform the social status of blind people in the nineteenth century.

What should be considered when transitioning between points in the essay?

When transitioning between points, consider how one subject can logically lead to the next. Is there a natural progression, or does one point need to be established before discussing the next?

How should evidence be incorporated into the essay outline?

After organizing your material and ideas, you should identify the evidence and analysis you will use to support each point. This ensures that the points made are well-supported and contribute to the overall argument.