What does an essay outline look like?

Most essay outlines will never be handed in. They are meant to serve you and no one else. When you produce your outline, you should follow certain basic principles. Here is an example of an outline for an essay on Hamlet:

Example of a sentence outline: (everything you write should be written in complete sentences):

Introduction: (thesis statement) Despite Hamlet’s highly developed moral nature, he becomes morally compromised while delaying his revenge.

1. (Topic Sentence 1) Hamlet has a highly developed moral nature[P1] .
   1. (Supporting detail 1) Hamlet is idealistic.
   1. (Supporting detail 2) Hamlet is aware of his own faults, whereas others are self-satisfied.
   1. (Supporting detail 3) Hamlet does not want to take revenge without grounds for acting.
2. (Topic Sentence 2) Hamlet becomes morally compromised while delaying.
   1. The turning point in Hamlet’s moral decline is his killing of Polonius.
   1. Hamlet’s moral decline continues when he sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their death.
   1. Hamlet already began his moral decline before the turning point in the play, the killing of Polonius.
      1. Hamlet treats women badly
      1. Hamlet criticizes others in the play for acting falsely to get ahead, but in adopting the disguise of madness he, too, is presenting a false face to the world.
3. (Topic Sentence 3) Though Hamlet becomes more compromised the longer he delays, killing the king would have been a morally questionable act.

Conclusion: (restate thesis statement) Even though Hamlet has a considerably high morality, his moral values are challenged as he postpones his vengeance.

Example of a verbal phrase outline:

Introduction: (thesis statement) Despite Hamlet’s highly developed moral nature, he becomes morally compromised while delaying his revenge.

1. (Topic Sentence 1) Having a highly developed moral nature[P2] 
   1. (Supporting detail 1) Being idealistic
   1. (Supporting detail 2) Being aware of his own faults
   1. (Supporting detail 3) Not wanting to take revenge without grounds for acting
2. (Topic Sentence 2) Becoming morally compromised while delaying
   1. Implications of killing of Polonius
3. Sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their death.
4. Finding traces of amorality even before the killing of Polonius.
   1. Treating women badly
   1. Criticizing others in the play for acting falsely to get ahead and presenting a false face to the world
5. (Topic Sentence 3) Questioning the morality of killing the King

Conclusion: (restate thesis statement). Even though Hamlet has a considerably high morality, his moral values are challenged as he postpones his vengeance.

 [P1]full sentences = full points

 [P2]Notice that these phrases have a parallel structure: i.e Having, being, wanting, becoming. ..

No full stops at the end of these phrases (they are phrases not full sentences)