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SUCCESSFUL OUTLINES
Organizing Information
before Drafting
Formal Outlines
• A formal outline is a logical arrangement of
the main ideas, subtopics, and details that will
go into a written paper.
– Use Roman numerals for main sections
– Indent and use capital letters for topics
– Indent and use numbers for subtopics/details
Organizing an Outline
• Keep all items of the same rank in parallel form. If
subtopic A is expressed as a noun, then B and C
should be expressed as nouns.
• When subtopics follow a topic or are followed by
details, there must be two or more of each: for every I,
there must be a II; for every A, a B; for every 1, a 2.
• When the sequence of events is important to a subject,
organize your outline for earliest event to latest event.
Conventions
•
Capitalize the first word of each
entry in an outline and the letters
that introduce major subsections.
I.
Famous buildings of the Middle Ages
A.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
1. Construction of bell tower
2. Repairs to tower foundation
B.
The Tower of London
1.
2.
Construction of royal fortress
Additions to original site
Conventions
•
Use a period after each number or letter in
an outline or a list.
Topic: Early Communication
II. Body
A.
Visual
1.
2.
Sign Language
Writing
Begin Your Outline
•
Use your notes and organize your information.
I.
Introduction
A.
B.
II.
Lead Sentence:
Thesis:
Body
A.
B.
C.
D.
III.
Conclusion
A. (Repeat thesis and summarize information.)