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Outlining

 

 

1.    Create a working title for your paper. Center the title above the outline.

 

2.  Label the sections of the outline (Harvard Outline format) as follows:

 

              I.  Roman numerals = main topics

                  A.  Capital letters = subtopics of the main topics

                        1.   Arabic numerals = subtopics of the capital letters

                              a.   Small letters = subtopics of the Arabic numerals

                              b.

                        2.

                  B.

             II.

            III.

     

 

3.    Write main topics for the outline that directly support the thesis statement in a logical order.

 

4.    Follow your instructor’s directions about inclusion and placement of the thesis in the outline.

 

5.    Develop the ideas in the outline in the same order as in the thesis.

 

6.    Use a period after every number and letter in the outline.

 

7.    Capitalize the first word of each topic and subtopic.

 

8.    Align the Roman numerals so the periods form a straight line. Indent the subtopics so that the letters or numerals for each subsection are aligned.

 

9.    If a topic or subtopic extends to a second line, begin the second line directly under the first word of the previous line.

 

10. No topic can be divided into fewer than two parts; therefore, if you have A, then you must have B; if you have 1, you must have 2.

 

11. Topics should be parallel in structure.

 

12. Topic outlines use only phrases throughout; sentence outlines use complete sentences.

 

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