Organize Your Writing

A well-structured paper will be more convincing and informative to your reader. Learning how to organize your writing is an important transferrable skill that will help you become a better communicator. 

Outlines

Think of an outline as a map you design to create linear organization in your writing.  Students are often advised to make an outline before the first draft to ensure that each paragraph effectively integrates evidence that supports the thesis statement; such an outline may look like this or like this. Creating a detailed outline can save you from re-organizing after you draft. 

However, some students feel stuck at the outline level and prefer to sit down and start writing.  A free-writing strategy, in which you write down whatever comes to mind as you think of it, is a valid approach to academic writing.  If you prefer to write this way, you should learn how to create a reverse outline to ensure you present detailed evidence in a linear fashion.  Watch this video to learn more about reverse outlining.

Introductions

Your introduction presents the topic of your paper to your reader and usually ends with your thesis. You do not need to write the introduction first: many writers find it easier to write the introduction after they've written their body paragraphs because they have a better sense of what they are introducing. Click the links that follow to learn more.

Body Paragraphs

Your argument is fully developed in the body paragraphs as you present your evidence and your analysis.  Each paragraph should explore a single topic.  There is no correct number of paragraphs to include (it doesn't have to be three!).  Rather, consider the length of your assignment, the scope of your thesis, and the amount of evidence you need to prove your point.  Learn more about paragraphs from the recommended resources below.

Conclusions

The conclusion reiterates your thesis and connects your argument to the broader topic to help readers understand its importance. It is more than a summary of your paper. Read about strategies for developing a conclusion below.