B2 Lesson 1: Developing Detailed Outlines and Plans
Welcome to our final B2 writing series on the full writing process. Great writing is not magic; it is the result of a good plan. The most important planning tool for any academic or professional writer is a detailed outline1.
An outline is a logical, organized map of your essay or report. You would not build a house without a blueprint2; you should not write an essay without an outline. It ensures your argument is strong and saves you a lot of time.
From Brainstorming to a Formal Outline
The planning process moves from messy ideas to a clean structure.
- Brainstorm: First, you use techniques like listing or mind-mapping to generate raw ideas about your topic.
- Formulate a Thesis: From your ideas, you create a clear, arguable thesis statement. This is the main point of your entire essay.
- Create an Outline: You then structure your main points logically under the thesis.
An Example of a Detailed Outline
Let's look at a detailed outline for a short essay on the following topic: "What are the most significant impacts of social media on society?"
Essay Outline
Thesis Statement: Although social media can connect people, its negative impacts on mental health and user privacy are ultimately more significant.
I. Introduction
- A. Hook: Start with a surprising statistic about the number of hours people spend on social media daily.
- B. Background: Mention the popularity of platforms like Facebook and TikTok in Cambodia.
- C. Thesis Statement (stated above).
II. Body Paragraph 1: Impact on Mental Health
- A. Topic Sentence: The constant exposure to curated, "perfect" online lives can lead to increased anxiety and lower self-esteem among users.
- B. Evidence: Mention studies or common examples of people comparing their real lives to others' online highlights.
- C. Explanation: Explain how this comparison creates feelings of inadequacy.
III. Body Paragraph 2: Privacy Concerns
- A. Topic Sentence: Furthermore, users often share vast amounts of personal data without realizing the significant privacy risks involved.
- B. Evidence: Use the example of how personal data is used for targeted advertising.
- C. Explanation: Explain the danger of this data being sold or misused.
IV. Conclusion
- A. Restate Thesis: In conclusion, while it offers connection, the dangers of social media to mental well-being and personal privacy are serious concerns.
- B. Summarize Main Points: Briefly mention the mental health and privacy arguments again.
- C. Final Thought: Give a final recommendation that users should be more mindful online.
✍️ B2 Outline Checklist
- ✔️ Does my outline begin with a strong, clear thesis statement?
- ✔️ Does each Roman numeral (I, II, III...) represent one full paragraph?
- ✔️ Does the topic sentence of each body paragraph directly support a part of my thesis?
- ✔️ Have I included brief notes for the evidence and explanation I will use?
- ✔️ Does my outline provide a logical map for my entire essay?
🧠 Practice Quiz: Where Does It Go?
Read the thesis statement and the new piece of evidence below. In which body paragraph of our example outline would this evidence belong?
Thesis Statement: Although social media can connect people, its negative impacts on mental health and privacy are more significant.
New Evidence: A news report about a company selling user phone numbers and locations to advertisers.
Answer: This evidence belongs in Body Paragraph 2: Privacy Concerns, because it is a specific example of the privacy risks involved with sharing personal data.
📝 Homework: Create Your Own Outline
Your homework is to practice the most important planning skill. Choose one of the B2-level topics below.
- Should all university students be required to learn a foreign language? Discuss the pros and cons.
- What is the single most effective way to reduce plastic pollution in Cambodia?
In your notebook, create a detailed, 4-paragraph outline using the alpha-numeric format (I, A, B, C...). Your outline must include a thesis statement, a topic sentence for each of your two body paragraphs, and brief notes for your evidence and conclusion.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Outline: (Noun) - គ្រោង - A detailed, organized plan for a piece of writing, showing the main points and their order. ↩
- Blueprint: (Noun) - ប្លង់ - A detailed plan or design for how to build something. Used as a metaphor for an outline. ↩
- To formulate: (Verb) - បង្កើត - To create or prepare something methodically. ↩
- Thesis Statement: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគនិក្ខេបបទ - The sentence, usually in the introduction, that states the main argument of the entire essay. ↩
- Curated: (Adjective) - ដែលបានជ្រើសរើស - Carefully chosen and organized.