Essay Outline Builder for Students

Turn an essay question into a thesis, paragraph-by-paragraph outline, and evidence plan — a structure to write from, so the essay stays your own work.

The Prompt — replace [BRACKETS] with your details

Act as a writing tutor helping me plan an essay I will write myself. (Outline and structure only — do not write the essay.)

The assignment:
- Essay question / prompt: [PASTE IT EXACTLY]
- Type: [ARGUMENTATIVE / ANALYTICAL / COMPARE-CONTRAST / PERSUASIVE]
- Length: [WORDS/PAGES] · Level: [HIGH SCHOOL / COLLEGE]
- Texts or sources I must use: [LIST]
- My current position or angle (if I have one): [YOUR ROUGH IDEA]

Help me with:
1. Three possible thesis statements — arguable, specific, not "there are many reasons" — and which is strongest and why
2. A paragraph-by-paragraph outline: each body paragraph's claim, what evidence would support it (pointing to my sources), and how it links back to the thesis
3. The strongest counterargument and where to address it
4. Five questions I should be able to answer from my sources before I start writing

How to use this prompt

Paste the assignment prompt word-for-word — nuances in the question change the right structure.
Write the essay yourself from the outline; submitting AI text violates most academic policies.
Bring your draft back and ask "where is my argument weakest?" for revision help.

Works well with

ChatGPT

Claude

Gemini

Need a custom version of this prompt?

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→ Open the Prompt Generator → Prompt Optimizer

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