Informative Essay Outline: Templates & Formats [2025]

I. INTRODUCTION (10-15% of total essay)

1. Hook: [Your attention-grabbing opening sentence]
   • Surprising Statistic: "[Number + Source]"
   • Relevant Question: "[Thought-provoking question]"
   • Brief Anecdote: "[1-2 sentence story]"
2. Background Information: [2-3 sentences providing context]
   • What readers need to know: [Key context]
   • Define main terms: [If necessary]
   • Establish relevance: [Why this topic matters now]
3. Thesis Statement: [Your specific, concise informative claim]
   • Format: "This essay explains [subtopic 1], [subtopic 2], and [subtopic 3]."
   • Example: "This essay explains how solar panels generate electricity, their efficiency rates, and their environmental impact."

II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1: [First Main Subtopic]

1. Topic Sentence: [States the first main point of the essay]
   • Template: "[Subtopic 1] involves [key aspect]."
2. Evidence #1: [Fact, statistic, or expert quote]
   • Source: [Where this information came from]
   • Context: [Any relevant details about the evidence]
3. Explanation: [Analyzes how the evidence supports your point]
   • Template: "This shows that [connection to topic sentence]."
4. Evidence #2: [Additional supporting fact or statistic]
   • Source: [Citation]
   • Relevance: [Why this specific evidence matters]
5. Explanation: [Deeper analysis of the evidence's significance]
6. Transition: [Connects this paragraph to the next one]
   • Template: "Beyond [current point], [next point] also plays a role."

III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2: [Second Main Subtopic]

1. Topic Sentence: [States the second main point]
2. B. Evidence #1: [Supporting fact, statistic, or quote]
3. Explanation: [Analysis of how this evidence supports the point]
4. Evidence #2: [Additional support]
5. Explanation: [Significance of this evidence]
6. Transition: [Smoothly links to the next paragraph]

IV. BODY PARAGRAPH 3: [Third Main Subtopic]

1. Topic Sentence: [States the third main point]
2. Evidence #1: [Supporting fact, statistic, or quote]
3. Explanation: [Analysis]
4. Evidence #2: [Additional support]
5. Explanation: [Significance]
6. Transition: [Leads the reader into the conclusion]
   • Template: "Understanding [all three points] reveals [broader significance]."

V. CONCLUSION (10-15% of total essay)

1. Restate Thesis: [Rephrase your main argument—do not copy verbatim]
   • Template: "[Topic] operates through [subtopic 1], [subtopic 2], and [subtopic 3]."
2. Synthesize Key Points: [Briefly summarize the main findings from each body paragraph]
   
   • Point 1 Summary: [1 sentence]
   • Point 2 Summary: [1 sentence]
   • Point 3 Summary: [1 sentence]
3. Closing Statement: [Explain why this information matters—the "so what?"]
   • Template: "Understanding [topic] helps explain [broader significance or real-world application]."
   • Avoid: Phrases like "In conclusion," "As you can see," or introducing new information.

I. INTRODUCTION

• Hook + Background + Context + Thesis

II. BACKGROUND/CONTEXT SECTION

• Historical development
• Current understanding
• Key definitions

III. BODY SECTION 1: [Major aspect #1]

• Multiple paragraphs exploring the first main area

IV. BODY SECTION 2: [Major aspect #2]

• Multiple paragraphs exploring the second main area

V. BODY SECTION 3: [Major aspect #3]

• Multiple paragraphs exploring the third main area

VI. IMPLICATIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

• Broader meaning or applications

VII. CONCLUSION

• Comprehensive synthesis

P - POINT

• The first sentence of the paragraph.

• States the paragraph's main idea or argument.

• Directly supports the essay's thesis or the section's topic sentence.

E - EVIDENCE

• The data used to support and prove the Point.

• Can include:

  • Facts, statistics, or numerical data.

  • Quotations from experts, texts, or sources.

  • Specific examples, case studies, or events.

  • Anecdotal or observational details (for applicable essays).

E - EXPLANATION

• The analysis that connects the Evidence to the Point.

• Explains how and why the provided Evidence proves the Point is valid.

• Interprets the significance of the evidence.

• This is the writer's analysis and is the most critical part of the paragraph.

L - LINK

• The concluding sentence of the paragraph.

• Serves one of two primary functions:

  1. Links back to the essay's main thesis or argument.

  2. Links forward to the main point of the next paragraph (acting as a transition).

Ensures the paragraph is connected to the essay's overall structure.

I. INTRODUCTION
   A. Hook: "Americans throw away enough renewable energy potential to power 18 million homes."
   B. Background: Renewable energy sources like solar and wind generate electricity without depleting resources. As fossil fuel concerns grow, understanding these alternatives becomes crucial.
   C. Thesis: "This essay explains how solar panels generate  electricity, how wind turbines convert motion to power, and how these technologies compare in efficiency."

II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Solar Panel Electricity Generation
    A. Topic: "Solar panels convert sunlight through photovoltaic cells."
    B. Evidence: "Each cell contains semiconductor materials releasing electrons when struck by photons (Smith, 2024)."
    C. Explanation: "This electron flow creates DC electricity."
    D. Evidence: "Standard panels achieve 15-22% efficiency (EIA, 2024)."
    E. Explanation: "While modest, improving technology increases output."
    F. Transition: "Wind energy uses mechanical rather than chemical conversion."

III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Wind Turbine Power Generation
     A. Topic: "Wind turbines transform kinetic energy into electricity."
     B. Evidence: "Blades capture wind, spinning a rotor connected to a generator (Jones, 2024)."
     C. Explanation: "Mechanical rotation becomes electrical current."
     D. Evidence: "Modern turbines convert 45-50% of wind energy (DOE, 2024)."
     E. Explanation: "Higher efficiency than solar but location-dependent."
     F. Transition: "Comparing these technologies reveals trade-offs."

IV. BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Efficiency Comparison
    A. Topic: "Solar and wind technologies offer different advantages."
    B. Evidence: "Solar works anywhere with sunlight; wind requires specific conditions (Green, 2024)."
    C. Explanation: "Solar provides broader geographic applicability."
    D. Evidence: "Wind generates more power per installation but needs consistent wind (Brown, 2024)."
    E. Explanation: "Each suits different environments and needs."
    F. Transition: "Understanding both technologies supports informed energy decisions."

V. CONCLUSION
   A. Restate: "Solar and wind power generation operate through distinct mechanisms, photovoltaic conversion and mechanical rotation."
   B. Summary: "Solar uses semiconductor physics, wind uses kinetic energy, and each offers efficiency advantages in specific contexts."
   C. Closing: "As renewable energy adoption grows, understanding these technologies helps evaluate future energy solutions."