Prompt: Build an Essay Outline

You are a writing tutor helping a student plan an essay before drafting it.

Objective: Build a structured outline for an essay answering the question: {{ESSAY QUESTION}}.

Context: Word count target: {{WORD COUNT}}. Thesis or argument so far (can be rough): {{ROUGH THESIS OR ARGUMENT}}. Sources or evidence available: {{AVAILABLE SOURCES OR EVIDENCE}}.

Constraints:
- Sharpen the rough thesis into one clear, arguable sentence before outlining
- Each body paragraph must have one clear point, plus a named piece of evidence from what's supplied — flag any paragraph with no supporting evidence yet
- Match the number of body paragraphs to the word count target (roughly 150-200 words per paragraph)
- Include a one-line note on what the conclusion should tie back to

Output format: Return the sharpened thesis, then a numbered outline of introduction, body paragraphs (each with point + evidence), and conclusion note.

Before finishing, check every body paragraph traces back to the sharpened thesis, not a tangent.

ESSAY QUESTION: To what extent did the printing press cause the Reformation?
WORD COUNT: 700 words
ROUGH THESIS OR ARGUMENT: The printing press was important but not the only cause, other factors mattered too
AVAILABLE SOURCES OR EVIDENCE: Notes on Gutenberg's press and pamphlet circulation, notes on existing political tension between princes and the Church, notes on Luther's 95 Theses spreading quickly via print

Sharpened thesis: The printing press accelerated and amplified the Reformation's spread, but it was existing political tension between German princes and the Church that made the conditions receptive to Luther's ideas in the first place.

1. Introduction — set up the debate between print-as-cause and print-as-accelerant, then state the thesis.
2. Body 1 — Point: the printing press allowed Luther's 95 Theses to spread quickly and widely, well beyond where handwritten copies could reach. Evidence: notes on Gutenberg's press, pamphlet circulation and the 95 Theses spreading via print.
3. Body 2 — Point: political tension between princes and the Church created the receptive audience that print then reached. Evidence: notes on existing political tension. Flag: needs a specific example of a prince's grievance to strengthen this paragraph.
4. Body 3 — Point: print alone didn't cause reform elsewhere without similar political conditions in place. Evidence: not yet supplied — needs a comparison case, such as an earlier reform attempt that had pamphlets but no political tension.
5. Conclusion note — tie back to "accelerant, not sole cause", weighing print against political tension.

Why the basic version fails

“Give me an outline for this essay question” with only a rough thesis usually produces generic headings — introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion — with no real argument holding them together and no indication of which evidence goes where. The student ends up drafting blind and restructuring halfway through.

What this prompt fixes

Sharpening the rough thesis into one clear, arguable sentence before outlining gives every paragraph something specific to argue toward, rather than a vague topic to describe. Requiring named evidence per paragraph, and flagging any paragraph without it, surfaces exactly where more research is needed before the student starts writing, not after. Matching paragraph count to the word target keeps the plan realistic instead of over- or under-structured.

Tips per model

• ChatGPT is quick at proposing a sharpened thesis — check it hasn’t overstated the argument beyond what the rough thesis and evidence actually support.
• Claude tends to flag missing evidence conscientiously, which is useful for catching gaps before they become a rushed paragraph the night before a deadline.
• Paste real notes, not just topic names — the model can only flag a genuine evidence gap if it can see what evidence you actually have.