How to create a helpful outline for nonfiction book writing (+ template)
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There are many ways to begin writing a nonfiction book. For me, creating a book outline is the best starting point.
I write books for schools. In the last seven years, I’ve written over 40 nonfiction and fiction books for educational publishers. Each one started with an outline.
A book outline is the roadmap that keeps you on track. It’s the blueprint for your ‘book house.’
I use a 6-step framework to outline every nonfiction book I write.
This framework helps me build a book I love to write—and readers love to read.
For starters though, my framework is best for authors writing:
Nonfiction books for educational publishers
Narrative nonfiction
Historical nonfiction
Academic texts
If that’s you, keep reading! Let’s dig into how to start your outline for nonfiction book writing.
Download my FREE outline template for
nonfiction book writing 📖
This article covers my 6-step framework to create an outline for nonfiction book writing. Grab my Google Docs outline template designed to help you start outlining your book now. You’ll also get my monthly Sunday Spark newsletter with tips for meeting your writing goals and how to feel creatively energized. ✨
Step 1: Set the intention to write for yourself—and your “target audience.”
There are two main thoughts when it comes to “writing intention.”
Some believe you should just write for yourself. If not, other opinions will override your unique writing voice.
Others believe you must write with your “target audience” in mind. This helps you write something that is readable—and marketable.
My opinion? You must do both.
My first step—before I even lift a pen to draft my outline—is to set an intention to write for both myself and my potential readers.
Your intention shapes + guides your entire book outline. 🧭
It’s a necessary first step for me.
I write books for schools. For the most part, I’m assigned a topic to write a book about.
But before accepting an assignment, I ask myself: Am I interested in learning more about this topic?
To write my best work, the answer has to be a resounding YES.
Writing can be intensely personal—especially when it comes to nonfiction.
Any book you write, you need to write it for yourself.
Your book needs to delight you. Pack your book with information you find useful or entertaining.
Likewise though—a nonfiction book is meant to be shared. Depending on the book, an author might hope their reader is:
Captivated
Inspired
Entertained
Provoked into thought
Delighted
I write books for students. Most of the time, I have a set age group that I’m writing for. My assignment usually includes a reading level I need to stick to.
As I write, it’s mission critical that I also keep my target audience in mind.
Let’s say, for example, my target audience are English language learners in 2nd grade.
These are the questions I toss and turn in my head:
What do my readers already know about this topic?
What do they not know?
What language will be confusing to my reader?
How can I make my writing more clear and precise?
How can I empower readers to engage critically with this narrative?
How can I keep my readers’ attention?
I firmly believe you need to consider some—if not all—these questions when writing an outline for a nonfiction book.
If you don’t have a target audience in mind for your book yet, ask yourself:
Who do I most hope will read this?
What are their most pressing problems?
What will pique their curiosity?
How do I hope to help them?
Make sure you can answer these questions before beginning your research or outline for your nonfiction book.
Knowing these answers will help shape—and direct—your outline.
A final note on writing intention:
Only move forward with writing an outline if the book is about a topic or question that moves your heart.
Then, write an outline and book with the goal to move a reader’s heart.
If we write from the heart—and not for money or a market—our writing will inevitably touch someone else’s heart.
Step 2: Begin researching for facts + stories with a curious mindset.
The next step in creating an outline for book writing is good ol’ research.
When I start a book outline, I start researching without knowing exactly what I’m going to find. My goal is to research with an open mind and heart.
You might have an idea of what your book is going to be about. But as much as possible, keep your curious cap on as you research.
Go down rabbit holes of content if it intrigues you.
Look for information on random internet corners.
Discover useful statistics and find data from multiple sources.
Research is key to starting your outline. I keep track of all my sources in a Word document, pulling out interesting quotes along the way.
Start simple. Just compile your research links in a Word or Google document to start.
As you research, you’ll start to develop your ideas for your book. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Research Tip 1: Try using a search engine other than Google.
I love Google. I live on Google most days.
But when researching, it helps to approach with multiple search engines. Especially if you’re looking for research that may not be in your Google wheelhouse.
Google is a helpful assistant. It tracks your favourite websites. It keeps an eye on your search history. This leads to personalized (and slightly creepily accurate) search results.
But when researching, this personalization is not always ideal. It can narrow your research focus. Your sources are likely less varied if you only stick to the search engine that rules them all.
I often use DuckDuckGo when researching. In their words, they’re “committed to unbiased search that’s never based on your search history.”
You can also head to your local library for some good ol’ researching too. It helps to research in obscure corners. You never know what you’ll find.
Research Tip 2: Track the connections you find in your research.
You’ve likely heard that there are no new ideas in the world. That’s true—because creativity comes from connecting and building upon past ideas.
Your goal while researching is to spy the creative connections that others may have missed.
As you research, you’re collecting “dots” of information. Your goal is to connect these dots for the reader.
As you research, put quotes and data together that seem to fit together. Maybe they share a theme. Or, maybe you just know in your heart these data points belong together.
Track these dots and connections in your research. When you write your outline, you’ll start pulling them together in a way that makes sense.
Research Tip 3: Look for the stories.
Statistics are fuel for my brain engine. I like pulling out statistics left, right, and centre when I’m writing. Crunching numbers is tantalizing to me.
But bear this in mind—most readers enjoy statistics. And they don’t usually remember them.
Statistics and numbers don’t move our hearts. Stories do.
Human beings are natural storytellers. We all love a good story, especially ones that work our empathy muscles.
While you’re researching, keep your eye out for the stories.
Sometimes these are human stories that deepen character and emotion. The stories might be of ocean animals, the flora in your background, or where coffee beans are stored.
Stories are everywhere. Have a look, and you’ll find them.
Here are some jumping off points to find the stories in your research:
What are some human stories related to this topic?
What are the stories that will inspire empathy in my reader?
What are the stories that make me care more deeply about this topic?
Research Tip 4: Research using reliable resources.
All nonfiction books benefit from research. And, when I say research, I mean the delightful, informative kind compiled from reliable resources.
Nonfiction writers, this is your ultimate responsibility:
Share fact-checked and accurate information.
All nonfiction writing comes with bias. It’s inevitable. As writers, our perspectives drip into our narratives.
However, when writing nonfiction, remember: your reader is placing their trust in you.
When I read nonfiction, I trust the author is building their narrative upon facts, real situations, and real-life humans.
Hold the trust of your readers close to your heart, and research with reliability in mind. Double check your sources. And use reliable research resources.
Here are a few of my favourite reliable resources (but remember to fact check them, too):
Research Tip 5: Set a timeline for research.
You can spend years compiling research for your nonfiction book.
Don’t.
Your research means little without your written narrative. How can someone find and love your book if it doesn’t even exist?
I firmly believe us writers need to set a deadline for research—and stick to it.
The best part of research? You can do it throughout the whole writing of your book.
But your initial stage of doing just research—and no writing and outlining—should be a maximum of one week.
Until you start threading connections between bits and bobs of your research, your book will never get done.
(And your book wants to be written. I can tell already.)
One week for research. That’s it, writers. You got this. 💪
Step 3: Find the “spine” of your book.
“I believe that every work of art needs a spine—an underlying theme, a motive for coming into existence. It doesn't have to be apparent to the audience. But you need it at the start of the creative process to guide you and keep you going.”
- Twyla Tharp
Physical books have spines. And so must your nonfiction book—whether it’s going to be a self-published eBook or a physical book ready for shelving.
The spine of your book holds it together. It’s the why, the purpose of the story you are telling.
A useful book outline starts with your “why.”
Why are you writing this book?
You always need an answer to this question.
If you’re not sure why you’re writing your book, your motivation to write will ebb away.
A compelling “why” helps drive story—and it’ll hopefully keep your writing hand moving even when you’re struggling with writer’s block.
You don’t need to explicitly state your purpose in your text. But knowing the purpose of your book will help it reach more readers.
Action Step 🎬
Use these sentence starters to find your “book spine”:
→ I’m writing this book to help my reader to understand…
→ I’m writing this book to inspire my reader to…
→ I’m writing this book to empower my reader to…
Step 4: Create a simple table of contents.
Now that you have your research and book spine in place, it’s time to set up your chapter structure. This is your table of contents.
When writing a table of contents, keep your reader in mind. Ask yourself:
What are the main ideas of my book?
What information does the reader need first?
What chapter structure will help my reader learn best?
For nonfiction books, I recommend first thinking of the three main ideas you want your reader to learn. Each idea will be the focus of a chapter. Look over your research to find your book’s main ideas.
Create a table of contents using a strict constraint.
For your first table of contents, try including just five chapters: an introduction, three middle chapters, and a conclusion.
You can expand this later. But start by outlining just five chapters for your nonfiction book.
Here’s my recommended starting point for your table of contents:
Introduction
Help readers get a birds-eye view of your book and understand why and how this book will be helpful for them.
Chapter 1
Sets the foundation for the rest of your book.
Introduces your first main idea.
Chapter 2
Expand on Chapter 1 or cover your second main idea.
Chapter 3
Expand on Chapter 2 or cover your third main idea.
Conclusion
Briefly recap what you’ve covered in the book. Go back to your “book spine”—what is the last image or story you want to leave your reader with?
Here’s an example table of contents.
This table of contents is from a civics book I wrote. The book is about online rights for young readers. Here’s how I structured the book with five chapters:
Introduction: Navigating our Digital World
Introduce young readers to the concept of your rights online. Set up thoughtful discussion on why it’s important to know our rights online so we can stay safe.
Chapter 1: Keep it Private
Focus on privacy in the digital age. Discuss how young readers can know what information they should—and shouldn’t—share on the internet.
Chapter 2: Know Your Boundaries
Discuss how young readers have the right to a safe and “age-appropriate online environment.” Cover how readers can recognize when an online environment is safe for them and how and when to say “no” online.
Chapter 3: Pair Freedom with Responsibility
Discuss how everyone has a responsibility to treat others fairly and respectfully online. Cover how online communications can follow similar guidelines to our in-person interactions.
Conclusion: Know Your Rights
Briefly recap how the internet is an exciting and vast world of information—and knowing our rights online ensures we can navigate this world safely and respectfully.
Step 5: Start building 3-part cake chapters.
You’ve now outlined your table of contents. Hopefully, you’ve also figured roughly what each chapter will be about.
Your next step is to outline each chapter with more specifics.
I do this by creating a “chapter cake” with 3 delicious layers 🎂:
1st layer: Write my goal for the chapter.
2nd layer: Figure out the sections for the chapter.
3rd layer: List my research resources for each chapter.
Let’s bite into each layer!
Step 1: Write your goal for each chapter.
For each chapter in your outline, write down the goal of the chapter. This is the main reason you’re writing it.
Your goal doesn’t have to be complex. It’s merely a north star for the chapter, something to guide your writing hand.
Step 2: Figure out the sections for each chapter.
Chapters in a nonfiction book are usually made of sections. This is to give structure to the chapter. It also breaks the chapter into manageable chunks for the reader to digest.
Think of a mind map. You write down an idea. Then, you sketch out branches from the idea that are related.
Each section of a chapter is a related concept to the chapter’s main idea.
Consider which sections you want to include in each chapter. Don’t overthink it!
Just quickly jot down ideas for how you’ll develop the main concept in each chapter. Include these ideas in your outline.
Step 3: List your resources for each chapter.
Look back at your research and pull in your notes. Which resources will help you write each chapter?
List them out in your outline. This saves you the headaches of trying to find misplaced resources and that quote you know you have somewhere but can’t seem to find…
A resource list will save your butt, trust me.
See an example “Chapter Cake” in action 🎂
Now, let’s see a “chapter cake” in action! Here’s an example from my book on digital boundaries for young readers:
Chapter 2: Know Your Boundaries
Chapter Goal: Empower young readers to understand the idea of online boundaries and how to say “no” to unsafe situations.
Sections:
Defining Limits: Discuss how boundaries are limits. Help readers define their limits around privacy and what they decide to share online.
Boundaries in Connections: Discuss how it’s easy to connect with others online—but we also need boundaries to in these connections. This helps us feel safe. Help readers define these social boundaries for themselves.
A Safe Space: Discuss how young readers have the right to a safe online safe—and how to spy a safe, online space through reading privacy policies. Help readers ask questions that guide them toward setting their own boundaries online.
Resources:
Video about online reputations
Source about Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule
Blog post about safe spaces on the internet for kids
Article from the National CyberSecurity Alliance
and more! (I usually have 8-10 resources per chapter.)
A final note: Keep it simple.
If you start to feel overwhelmed at any point, let me share my outline mantra: Keep it Simple.
Don’t worry too much about your outline being a perfect blueprint. The idea is to create a rough outline for book writing.
Go with your gut as you write your outline. If you’ve done your research and know your book’s spine, a lot of your outline will fall into place once you start typing.
Step 6: Set deadlines to complete each chapter.
My final step when writing a book outline is always to set deadlines. Because, let’s face it—we writers are known for procrastinating.
One reason we procrastinate is because a project overwhelms us. And writing a book is easily an overwhelming project!
Be kind to yourself, and set some chapter completion dates now. Depending on the length of your book, you can aim to finish a chapter a day or a chapter a week.
Make sure your chapter goals are completable—but not drawn out.
I write nonfiction books in roughly 4 weeks. I usually spend three days writing an outline and about 2 weeks writing my first draft of the book.
What is the quickest timeline to write your book? Look at your schedule, and make time to write each chapter.
Set your chapter completion dates in bold on your calendar. And—start writing!
Action Step 🎬
Add a deadline for each chapter in your outline and write the following:
→ I will finish writing this chapter by [insert your date]
Final Takeaway: Leave room for surprises.
The goal of a book outline? To have a writing roadmap.
But here’s the thing with maps for any road trip—sometimes you have to go off-course.
Maybe your bladder demands you stop at a restroom 23 miles south. Or your ‘hangrey’ partner insists stopping at the diner with a goat on the roof which is way off course.
(Road trips, eh.)
Remember—your book outline is not meant to hold you hostage. It’s intended to help you write your nonfiction book with as much ease as possible.
Your book outline will likely keep shape-shifting as you continue to write. That’s okay.
I reference my book outline constantly while I’m writing. This helps me stay on track—and meet my writing goals. But I’m always open to changing my outline if something isn’t working.
I hope your book outline serves as a stalwart guide while you write.
Now, in case you haven’t yet—get outlining and start writing!
Freebie Alert: Your Outline Template
Download my FREE outline template for nonfiction book writing.
Whew! You made it through the article! Excited to start outlining? Grab my Google Docs outline template designed to help you start your outline for book writing now. You’ll also get my monthly Sunday Spark newsletter with tips for meeting your writing goals and how to feel creatively energized. ✨
Oh hey there, I’m Monika!
(she/her) I’m a big fan of compassionate creativity, intentional living, and freshly-popped popcorn. I hope this article has helped you create a helpful outline for book writing.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. I love to hear from fellow freelancers!
