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:
- Put the thesis at the top.
- Make sure that items at the same level have the same grammar/tenses.
- Use full sentences when possible.
- 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.
- Always include at least two items per level.
- Use as few major sections (I., II., III., etc.) as possible.
- 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
