Create an essay outline with AI: Tips, prompts, and more

Get ideas a-flowing

Whether you have great ideas already in sight for your essay or you’re not sure where to begin, AI brainstorming can get your essay ideas moving. Generative AI drums up ideas on any topic, and the more specific your ask, the better the results. When brainstorming for your essay outline, try prompts like these to get ideas a-flowing:

• I’m writing an essay on [topic]. What kinds of ideas might I include?
• Make a mind map of 50 ideas related to [topic].
• I’m interested in these three topics: [topics]. What essay could I write that connects all three?

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Define your thesis statement or main idea

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, it’s important to articulate your thesis statement for readers. Your entire essay will work to convince readers of your thesis statement, so you’ll need a strong, clear, debatable, and defensible stance. And if you’re not writing an argument, your essay will most likely still need one easy-to-locate main idea or takeaway. You might think of the thesis statement or main idea as the ultimate destination where your essay is heading. Try prompts like these to make that destination clear as day:

• I want to make an argument about [topic]. Can you help me come up with a possible thesis statement and then teach me how to tell if my thesis statement is strong?
• Give me four examples of strong thesis statements about [topic]. Explain what makes each thesis statement strong.
• I need to create a main idea statement for an essay. I have a lot of points to make, but I’m not sure what the one main idea should be. Based on these points, what possible main ideas make sense? [points]

Determine your strongest points

Once you know where you’re going, a.k.a. your thesis statement or main idea, it’s time to start outlining the way to get there. The main points of your outline should be essential to the main point or thesis statement. Try prompts like these to select the most valuable points for your unique essay:

• My thesis statement is [thesis statement]. What are the most convincing points I can make in support of this statement? Please also provide two peer-reviewed sources to support each point.
• The main point of my essay is [main point]. I’m writing a 500-word essay on this topic. What types of points could I include?
• How can I determine which points are the best fit for an essay I’m writing? Give me a way to test whether the points should be included in my essay outline.

Craft a winning structure

From creating tension to revealing causation, thoughtful essay structure helps readers move through your ideas in the most powerful way. Chart the course through your essay outline with prompts like these:

• I’m writing an essay on [thesis statement or main idea], and these are my main points [points]. Suggest three ways to structure this essay, and tell me the reasoning behind each one.
• What’s the most logical way to organize these points for an essay on this topic: [thesis statement or main idea and points]
• How can I group the points in my essay into sections? [points]

Ready, set, write!

You know where you’re going and how to get there, so it’s time to turn that essay outline into written content. Before you jump to the first draft, you might first add detail to your outline, such as evidence or subpoints, so you have the clearest possible map forward. When you do start writing, use your essay outline to take one idea, section, or point at a time, and enjoy the journey!

Knowing how to create an essay outline can make the whole writing process as smooth as possible. Once your draft is written, read on for tips on proofreading and editing your essay with AI.