56 Constructing an Outline

Robin Jeffrey and Melissa Elston

Learning Objectives

  • Develop an outline that details step by step what the essay will examine, in component parts.

Steps to writing a formal outline:

  1. Put the thesis at the top.
  2. Make sure that items at the same level have the same grammar/tenses.
  3. Use full sentences when possible.
  4. Use the conventional system of numbering (such as the one being demonstrated now): First level – Roman numerals, second level – alphabetic letters, third level – Arabic numerals, etc.
  5. Always include at least two items per level.
  6. Use as few major sections (I., II., III., etc.) as possible.
  7. If the list gets too long, try clustering the items into broader categories with more subcategories.

Adapted from About Writing: A Guide by Robin Jeffrey, CC BY 4.0 

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Constructing an Outline Copyright © by Robin Jeffrey and Melissa Elston is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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