Free AI Essay Outline Generator
An essay outline is a plan that fixes your argument before you write a sentence. It lists what each paragraph must prove, so you never stall halfway through a draft wondering what comes next.
Your outline is not stored on our servers. Recent outlines stay in this browser only.
The generator above builds a first outline from your topic. Treat it as a starting draft: reword headings in your own voice, delete points that do not serve your thesis, and reorder sections until the logic reads smoothly.
How to structure a essay outline
- Introduction: a hook, brief context, and a thesis that makes a claim someone could disagree with.
- Body: one main idea per section, each backed by evidence, an example, or analysis.
- Counterpoint: the best objection to your thesis, and your answer to it.
- Conclusion: restate the thesis in light of the evidence and say why it matters.
Common mistakes
- Writing a topic instead of a thesis, such as "social media" rather than a claim about social media.
- Putting two ideas in one body section, which blurs the argument.
- Leaving evidence for later. Note the source or example for each point now.
- Ending with a summary only, without explaining what the argument changes.
Example outline
Essay: Cities should prioritize bike lanes over parking
- Introduction
- Hook: the average car sits parked 95% of the time
- Thesis: bike lanes return more value per street meter than parking
- Economic case
- Retail studies on foot and bike traffic
- Lower road maintenance per user
- Safety case
- Protected lanes and injury data
- Calmer traffic speeds
- Counterpoint
- Shops fear losing customers who drive
- Response: pilot programs and loading zones
- Conclusion
- Restate thesis
- What cities can test in one year
Related templates
Frequently asked questions
How long should an essay outline be?
One page is usually enough: a thesis line, a heading for each body section, and two or three supporting points under each.
Should the outline contain full sentences?
Use full sentences for the thesis and topic sentences, and short phrases for supporting points.
Can I change the generated outline?
Yes. Every heading and point is editable, and you can reorder or delete sections before exporting.