Study
Essay outline template in Markdown
A clear essay starts as a clear outline. This template gives you the skeleton of an argument: an introduction with a one-sentence thesis, two arguments broken into claim, evidence and analysis, a counterargument, a conclusion and a references section. Expand it into the full essay in the same document.
Open this template in the editor- Category
- Study
- Default style
- Editorial
When to use it
It suits school and university essays, opinion pieces and any short argument you have to defend. Work through the outline first to test your reasoning, then write the prose under each heading. Teachers, tutors and peer reviewers read the result, and they look for a thesis they can find and evidence they can check.
What is inside
- A title from the fill-in field, author and date, and an introduction with a bold thesis line.
- Two argument sections, each split into claim, evidence and analysis.
- A counterargument section, a conclusion that adds no new evidence, and a references list.
Tips for a better document
- Write the thesis before anything else and test every claim against it. A claim that does not support the thesis belongs in another essay.
- Take the counterargument seriously and say how it changes your position. When you submit, choose A4 or US Letter to match what your institution expects.
Template preview
Project or topic
Author: Your name · Date: Date
Introduction
Introduce the topic and explain why the question matters.
Thesis: State the central argument in one clear sentence.
Argument one
- Claim: The first reason supporting the thesis
- Evidence: A source, example, or observation
- Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports the claim
Argument two
- Claim: A distinct supporting reason
- Evidence: Cite a relevant source
- Analysis: Connect it back to the thesis
Counterargument
Present a credible alternative view, then explain its limits or how it changes your argument.
Conclusion
Synthesize the reasoning and identify the implication. Introduce no new evidence here.
References
Add complete references in the required citation style.
Fill-in fields such as your name and the date are replaced when you open the template in the editor.