Outlining

Informal outlines

An informal outline can be little more than a list of your main points. You can refine it by following each main point with notations of the evidence or examples that support it. You are, in effect, grouping your notes. A simple outline like this is often all you need. It is especially valuable for timed writings or essay exams. Thinking your approach through before you begin—and jotting your thoughts down—will help you avoid rambling and moving away from the assignment.

Formal outlines

You may want to prepare a more formal outline. Sometimes you may even be asked to submit an outline with a writing assignment. Following are a few guidelines:

Use roman numerals for main topics. Alternate letters and Arabic numerals for subtopics. Indent subtopics.

I.

Make outline topics parallel in form. Make subtopics parallel in form also. For example, if you use a sentence for the first topic, use sentences for all subsequent topics, but if you use a noun for the first subtopic, use a noun for the following ones.

Watch the logic of your outline. The main topics generally indicate the basic structure of your essay. The second level of your outline (A, B, C covers the major ideas that contribute to the larger units. The next level of subtopics is for narrower points related to these ideas. Don't stick irrelevant ideas in your outline under the guise of subtopics. Make sure each element logically fits under its heading or you're defeating the purpose of an outline.

Each topic and subtopic should have at least one mating topic or subtopic, that is, no I without a II, no A without a B, and so on. Remember that topics and subtopics are divisions of your subject, and you can't divide something into one part. If your outline shows solitary topics or subtopics, reevaluate to see whether you are misplacing or poorly stating your headings. The information should perhaps be worked into an existing larger category or divided into two topics or subtopics.

Sentence outlines and topic outlines

In a sentence outline, all elements are stated in complete sentences. In a topic outline, the elements may be presented as single words or as phrases. Study the following examples.

Sentence outline

1. Many high school classes do not prepare students for large university classes.

   1. Nontracked high school classes don't challenge more able students to achieve at the highest level.

      1. Less competition leads some students to “get by” rather than excel.

      2. Inflated grading of good students in nontracked classes can lead to false expectations.

   2. High school classes are not designed to encourage individual responsibility, which is required in large university classes.

      1. Required attendance in high school may lead students to react to less rigid attendance requirements by cutting classes.

      2. High school teachers assign daily homework and reading assignments, whereas university professors generally make long-term assignments.

      3. High school teachers frequently spend more time with individual students than do professors in large universities.

2. Some high schools offer programs to help students prepare for university classes.

Topic outline

1. Lack of preparation of high school students for university classes

   1. Nontracked high school classes

      1. Less competition

      2. Mated grades

   2. Less individual responsibility in high school classes

      1. Required attendance

      2. Homework and daily assignments

      3. Individual attention from teachers

2. Programs to prepare high school students for university classes