FastWeb: Resources: Outlining Your Essay

Writing a scholarship essay is no easy feat. You could stare at the essay question for three hours hoping inspiration will strike, but outlining your essay is the better path.

Ask yourself: How can I organize the information so the reader can understand? How can I make the subject compelling?Likewise, you should be asking the same questions of your readers.

Write Your Thoughts Down

It may seem obvious, but when you have a late-night epiphany then go to bed and forget it come morning, you’ll be kicking yourself for not writing it down.

After looking over the essay question, organize your points in a compelling way that’s persuasive and captures the interest of your reader. In a way, you are telling your life’s story in 500-700 words, and planning what goes in is important.
Break out the classic five paragraph structure and outline the points you want to say in those paragraphs.
Now would also be a good time to write a rough introduction. In it, you should introduce yourself, answer any questions the committee has, and then state your reasons why you should receive this scholarship. Doing so gives the reader a concise preview of your argument.
Of course, if you change the content of your essay, rewrite the intro and always leave the conclusion for last.

After outlining, it’s time to tackle writing your essay.