Writing a Profile Essay Outline

Writing a profile essay requires extensive planning and organization to create a vivid portrait of a subject: a person, place, organization, or event. Developing a strong outline provides the structure, flow, and continuity your profile essay needs to bring your chosen subject to life for readers.

In this article, we’ll explore in-depth how to prepare high-quality research, choose captivating profile subjects, and write a well-organized outline to craft a compelling and memorable profile essay.

Choosing the Right Profile Subject

The first key step is selecting a suitable profile topic that lends itself well to vivid storytelling. The best subjects have intriguing backstories, multifaceted personalities, accomplishments worth highlighting, or untold details that will interest readers.

Potential profile essay topics include:

• An in-depth look at an important historical figure
• An interview-style profile of a high-profile celebrity or local hero
• A visit to an iconic or culturally significant town, building, or institution
• An inside look at the history and culture of a groundbreaking company or organization
• A personal story of overcoming challenges or achieving success

Aim to choose a specific, focused subject that offers ample angles and details to dive into. Avoid overly broad topics that cannot be adequately profiled within the confines of the essay.

Conducting Thorough Pre-Writing Research

After selecting your profile subject, devote significant time to researching the subject extensively before drafting your outline. Excellent sources of valuable info include:

• Biographies, existing profiles, interviews, and magazine articles about the subject
• Videos, photos, speeches, and creative works produced by or featuring the subject
• Historical records, data, documentation, and memorabilia connected to the subject’s life
• Interviews with people who know the subject well or witnessed key events
• Site visits to places associated with the subject that provide firsthand sensory details

Take copious notes on interesting facts, timeline events, accomplishments, hardships, controversies, anecdotes, characteristics, habits, relationships, and other potential story angles. Look for lesser-known details that reveal the subject’s personality, character, and essence. Vivid details like these will breathe life into your essay.

Crafting the Outline Structure

After thoroughly researching your subject, begin structuring your profile essay outline. Your outline should include:

Attention-Grabbing Introduction

Your essay introduction should draw readers in and provide crucial context, including:

• An intriguing opening hook using vivid imagery, figurative language, dialogue, etc.
• Brief background information framing the significance of your subject
• A clear, focused thesis statement previewing the specific aspects of your subject to be profiled

Body Paragraphs Focused on Key Aspects of the Subject

The essay body will delve into various facets of your subject through multiple paragraphs, each exploring one major idea or theme. Standard outline structure:

• The physical description paragraph vividly details appearance
• Background paragraph recounting major biographical events
• Personality paragraph highlighting interesting quirks, habits, and traits
• Interests paragraph profiling hobbies, talents, or motivation
• Legacy paragraph examining lasting cultural impact and significance

Memorable Concluding Paragraph

Wrap up your essay with a conclusion that:

• Summarizes the most compelling details and impressions
• Reflect on the greater significance of your subject
• Leaves readers with a strong final takeaway

Expanding the Outline with Supporting Details

With the basic outline structure mapped out, it’s time to flesh it out with vivid details uncovered during the research phase.

For each paragraph topic, choose the most illustrative supporting information to include:

• Specific anecdotes or timeline events showing your subject’s personality
• The most telling quotes that encapsulate your subject’s essence
• Unique facts, figures, and examples that convey your subject’s cultural impact
• Sensory details that create a vivid scene and evoke emotions in the reader

Structuring the Details into a Compelling Narrative Arc

A profile essay shouldn’t just present dry facts about the subject. Shape your outline into an engaging story arc that builds drama and interest:

• Opening scene: Start with an intriguing vignette drawing readers into the setting/action
• Rising action: Build up key events and turning points leading to…
• Climax: Most fascinating, pivotal, or revealing detail about the subject
• Falling action: Additional interesting details about the subject’s life
• Closing scene: Final insightful anecdote or reflection on the lasting impact of your profile subject

Adding Your Personal Touch to the Outline Structure

Your unique impressions and interpretations should be woven throughout the essay to create a vivid, personalized profile. Consider adding:

• Why you choose to profile this particular subject
• Your personal reflections on the subject’s significance and meaning
• How the subject connects to your own life experiences or interests

Evaluating and Refining the Final Outline

Once your draft outline is complete, review it with fresh eyes. Assess:

• Is there a clear narrative flow from start to finish?
• Are the most compelling research details included?
• Are stories vivid and descriptions concrete?
• Is my personal perspective incorporated smoothly?
• Does the conclusion effectively underscore the subject’s meaning?

Refine and revise your outline until you are satisfied you’ve created the best possible roadmap for writing an insightful, in-depth profile essay about your chosen subject.

Bringing Your Outline to Life in Writing

A well-crafted outline provides invaluable organization and direction as you write your profile essay. Here are some tips for using your outline most effectively during drafting:

Refresh on the Outline Before Writing

Before starting any writing session, briefly review your outline from start to finish. This gets key ideas percolating.

Follow the Outline Ordering

As you begin drafting your essay, be sure to adhere to the structure and sequence of ideas laid out in your outline. Don’t bounce around.

Refer Frequently Back to the Outline

Keep your outline nearby and often refer to the notes you included under each paragraph topic. This will spur ideas and maintain focus.

Bring Outline Details to Life

Don’t just copy down outline notes verbatim. Use them as inspiration to craft vivid descriptions that engage readers’ imaginations.

Adjust the Outline as Needed

An outline is not carved in stone. Feel free to reorganize ideas or add new details that come to you as you’re writing.

Take Regular Breaks

Step away periodically to clear your head. You’ll return renewed with fresh insights on improving your draft.

Mark Sections as Drafted

Check off sections in your outline as you complete the associated paragraph drafting. This allows you to track progress.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a profile essay in nursing requires careful attention to structure and content. An effective outline starts with a clear introduction that sets the context and presents the thesis statement. The body of the essay should then systematically develop this thesis, with each paragraph offering focused analysis and relevant evidence.

Finally, a strong conclusion ties together the main points, reinforcing the thesis and leaving the reader with a lasting understanding of the topic. By adhering to this structured approach, a profile nursing essay can effectively convey insights, engage the audience, and provide a meaningful exploration of its subject.