A block outline is meant to organize information and present it in a way that people can use to write a paper. Most often, a block outline is used when writing a compare and contrast essay. After choosing a topic, you research both sides of the topic and any similarities and differences. Then, you organize your block outline so that it addresses all of the elements of the first topic in the first body paragraph and then addresses all of the elements of the second subtopic in the following body paragraph. A block outline is easy to read and simple to follow, making it a basic choice for this type of essay.
The block outline is best for people who are more visual learners, because it organizes information in a grid. Each block of the grid is a different paragraph or idea. Each body paragraph has its own section, and within that section are more details about the subtopic which will be discussed in the actual paper.
The block outline first includes a title. Underneath the title block is the block containing the introduction, which states the purpose of the paper. In the case of a compare and contrast essay, the introduction block is where the different sides of the topic are first mentioned. Then there are two blocks underneath the introduction, each of which addresses a side of the argument or topic. There is information provided under each subtopic, ideally in the same order for each. The final block is the conclusion, which wraps up the essay and perhaps provides new insight on the topic.
Here is a very basic example of how a block outline is formatted and then utilized:
Topic: The Differences Between Apples and Oranges
I. Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the differences between apples and oranges.
II. Body paragraph #1: Apples
a. Size
b. Color
c. Taste
III. Body paragraph #2: Oranges
a. Size
b. Color
c. Taste
IV. Conclusion