Free with an account · Skeleton, not a ghost-written essay

Free Essay Outline Generator

Type your topic. Pick a type and length. Get a thesis, hooks, section bullets, counter-arguments, and source types to look up — in 15 seconds.

Essay type

Take a position, back it with evidence, address counters.

Length

~600-1200 words, 3-5 body sections

See how it works — click any example

Works on
  • Argumentative
  • Compare-contrast
  • Analytical
  • Expository
  • Persuasive
  • Research
  • Narrative
  • Descriptive
Structures

Thesis-first, classical, Rogerian, or Toulmin. Adjustable depth: 3-section / 5-section / deep. Audience presets: high school, college, graduate. Target lengths 300-2,500 words.

You get

A thesis option, intro hook, 3-7 body sections — each with a topic sentence, evidence slots, and counter-argument — plus a conclusion scaffold and suggested source types. Pair with Thesis Statement, Conclusion Generator, or Citations.

Won't work on

Topics under 10 characters. Fiction or creative writing — different craft. Subjects we have no background on without context. We never invent citations — only source types to look up.

Pricing

Free with an account30/month. Upgrade to Pro for 1,500/month. Each outline costs 3 credits.

See a real outline before you start.

Topic: "Schools should abolish standardized testing." Type: argumentative. Length: standard.

ThesisStandardized testing narrows curriculum, amplifies socioeconomic inequity, and provides unreliable signal on actual student learning — schools should replace it with portfolio-based and formative assessment.

Hook ideas

  • The 2024 US study where identical students scored 30% differently on two versions of the same exam.
  • A teacher quote: "I spent six weeks teaching the test, not the subject."
  • Opening with the dollar cost — Finland spends less and tests less, yet ranks higher.

Body sections (4)

  • Section 1 — Curriculum narrowing (purpose: show the opportunity cost)
  • Section 2 — Inequity (purpose: who benefits, who pays)
  • Section 3 — Reliability problems (purpose: the tests don't even measure what we claim)
  • Section 4 — What replaces them (purpose: portfolio + formative assessment done right)

Counter-arguments you'd need to address

  • Without tests, how do we hold underperforming schools accountable?
  • Standardized tests are the only common metric across districts.
  • Portfolio grading introduces teacher bias.

Source types to look up

  • NAEP longitudinal score data (2000–2024)
  • Peer-reviewed studies on test-prep displacement
  • OECD cross-country assessment comparisons
  • Finland Ministry of Education policy briefs

Questions & answers

Is this just another AI essay writer? #

No. We produce a structured outline — thesis, sections, bullets, counters, and source types to look up. You still write the essay. That distinction matters for honesty (and for most school policies).

Can I use this for school? #

Yes, for planning and brainstorming. An outline is not plagiarism — you still write every sentence. Some schools restrict AI use regardless, so check your policy.

What essay types are supported? #

Eight: argumentative, persuasive, expository, narrative, descriptive, compare-contrast, analytical, research. Pick the one your assignment specifies.

How long will my essay be from this outline? #

Short targets ~300-600 words, Standard ~600-1200, Long ~1200-2500. The outline includes paragraph-count suggestions per section.

Do you invent fake citations? #

No, and we explicitly instruct the model not to. Instead, we suggest the *kinds* of sources you should search for (e.g. "CDC data on teen smartphone use", "peer-reviewed studies on adolescent sleep").

Is it free? #

First few outlines per day are free without signup. Free accounts get 30 credits/month. Each outline costs 3 credits.

What if my topic is too broad? #

We'll flag it. For best results, turn a broad topic into a specific claim or question — e.g. instead of "social media", try "Should social media platforms be responsible for the mental health of teenage users?"

Can I use it for research papers? #

Yes — pick "research" as the type. We'll include counter-arguments and suggested source types, but you still need to find and cite real sources.