What Does Querier Expect Me To Include In My Outline?

When submitting nonfiction work to a literary agent, you may be asked for an outline rather than a full proposal. The outline allows the agent to get a sense of the work and your ability to write it before investing their time reading a full proposal. If they like the synopsis, they may request a full proposal.

In order to meet the requirements of agents Querier classifies as requiring a nonfiction outline, your outline should include the following elements:

1. Overview:

While an outline is not the same as a synopsis, it helps to start with one or two sentences that frame your project. This brief statement should capture the central idea of the book, its focus, or the problem it seeks to explore. Think of it as the lens through which the agent should read the outline—what unifies all the material that follows.

2. Chapter Summaries:

The chapter summaries are the heart of a nonfiction outline. Typically, each chapter should be described in a short paragraph or a set of bullet points that demonstrate what the reader will learn and how each chapter moves the work forward.

3. Narrative Arc:

An outline should demonstrate how each chapter builds upon the last and work together to build a comprehensive understanding of the material. 

4. Themes and Insights:

In each chapter summary, underscore the themes or insights that make the content important.

5. Voice:

Even though an outline is more structural than stylistic, it’s helpful if the writing gives a sense of your voice. A dry, mechanical outline may suggest a dry book. Injecting a touch of your style—whether it’s authoritative, conversational, or humorous—can reassure the agent that your manuscript will be engaging.

6. The Conclusion: 

Just as you conclude your book, you should conclude the outline. Provide a final summary for your planned conclusion chapter explaining how you tie all the themes together, what the final message will be, and what the reader's final takeaway will be. 

A nonfiction outline is more than a list of chapters. By providing the hook, chapter summaries, and view of the narrative arc, you can create a document that communicates both the content of your book and its appeal to readers. Remember your goal—to make the agent want to read more!

* Always review Agent submission requirements to confirm your synopsis meets their needs before submitting.