1. 9th Grade Guide to Outlining
Using a Harvard Outline

2. Definition An outline is a way of organizing information.
It uses key words or word groups to
show main topics, subtopics, details,
etc.

3. Task Analysis
Task analysis is the process of breaking apart a concept or task into basic steps.
Taking notes:
Have pencil/pen
Have a piece of paper or handout
Listen carefully to teacher
Jot down important information
Use phrases not sentences

4. Roman Numerals Use Roman Numerals for identifying main topics:
I = VI = 6 (V + I = 6)
II = 2 (I + I = 2) VII = 7
III = VIII = 8
IV = 4 ( I – V = 4) IX = 9 (I – X = 9)
V = X = 10
L = 50; C = 100; D = 500; M = 1,000

5. Outline Format Subtopics = Capital letters Details = numbers
Main topics = Roman Numerals
Subtopics = Capital letters
Details = numbers
Sub-details = lower case numbers
Parallel structure is the format of an outline using indentations to mark main topics, subtopics, details, and sub-details.

6. Sample Outline Format (Title)
I. Main Topic
A. Important subtopic
B. Important subtopic
1. Detail
a. sub-detail
b. sub-detail
2. Detail
II. Main Topic

7. General Rules Use a period after each Roman Numeral,
capital letter, number, and lower-case
letter
Use capitalization after Main Topics, Subtopics
and Details. No need to capitalize after sub-details.
Keep parallel structure!!! (That would be
indentation)

8. Task Analysis I. Outline process A. Determine
1. Topic: title of Outline
2. Purpose
a. what do you want to accomplish
b. entertain, persuade, argue
3. Audience
a. who are you writing to
b. idea & content & word choice
B. Develop
1. Thesis
2. Optional blue print

9. Task Analysis I. Pre-Outline process C. Brainstorming
1. List all details
2. Choose two or three of most important categories
D. Organize
1. Group related ideas/areas
2. List ideas into chosen categories
E. Order
1. Number ideas in order of importance
2. Determine sequencing to be used in paper
a. most important to least important
b. or least important to most important

10. Task Analysis
II. Writing the Outline A. Topic = Title 1. Do not be creative 2. Everything on outline applies to title/topic B. Thesis 1. Tells the reader what the essay/paper is about 2. Use a declarative sentence a. must be an arguable statement b. There is more to me that meets the naked eye. 3. Optional blue print a. the specific points in essay to be discussed b. Schools should use a standardized dress uniform for economic and safety factors.

11. Task Analysis
III. Organization of outline for essay A. Outlines are adjustable B. Use brief phrases or words C. Main topic I = Introduction 1. Subtopic A = Includes attention grabber (hook) 2. Subtopic B = Background / concession a. background is used in narrative b. concession is used in argument 3. Subtopic C = Thesis with or without blueprint

12. Task Analysis
III. Organization of outline for essay D. Main Topic II = 1st point of blue print 1. Subtopic A = Transition / topic sentence a. claim 2. Subtopic B, C, (D) = Evidence a. details that back up evidence b. use citation, facts, quotes 3. Subtopic ___ Conclusion for paragraph a. Warrant: ties the evidence to the claim.

13. Task Analysis
III. Organization of outline for essay E. Main Topic III = 2nd point of blue print 1. Subtopic A = Transition / topic sentence a. claim 2. Subtopic B, C, (D) = Evidence a. details that back up evidence b. use citation, facts, quotes 3. Subtopic ___ Conclusion for paragraph a. Warrant: ties the evidence to the claim. F. Main Topic IV = 3rd point of blue print (if needed)

14. Task Analysis
III. Organization of outline for essay G. Main Topic V = Conclusion 1. Subtopic A = restate thesis in a conclusive style 2. Call to action (argument) OR a. solution to problem b. suggestions 3. Reflection

15. Example
Prompt: In a narrative presentation, enlighten your teacher with who you are.
Topic: Maggie Orr
Purpose: Inform
Audience: 9th grade students
Brainstorm:
Teacher
Musician
Drama
Mother
Daughter
Sister
Wifedas
Singer
Broadway Musicals
Community Choir, Church
Hand bells, clarinet, piano
Professionally recorded
Bucket list
English
Domino’s
High school drama
award
Age 10
College
Playwright
Family:
youngest of 3
strict father
educated parents
culturally educated
travel
dogs
KATIE Rick/Mike

16. Example Family Talent Background: childhood Theater
Birth family structure high school
Characteristics of family college
Adulthood: marriage Singing
Rick genre
Mike bucket list
Children: singing the National Anthem Julia
personality
tragedy
Katie
circumstances
bond
Thesis: To know me is to understand the depth of circumstances in my life.

17. Ready to build outline Maggie Orr I. Introduction
A. “Life is like an onion; you must peel away
the layers and beware that you will shed
tears.”
1. Weeble: wobble but don’t fall down
2. Reality verses fantasy
B. Born 1961 around the time of the Cuba missile crisis.
1. Bayshore Long Island NY
2. Youngest of three children
3. Moved to Fountain Hills AZ 1976
C. Basic information; foundation
D. Thesis: To really understand who I am, one should understand the depth of the
circumstances that have molded my life.

18. II. Family influences
II. Family influences A. The real foundation of my life is the influence of family. B. Parents 1. From Buffalo NY 2. Lived during the Depression; WWII 3. College educated a. father engineering b. mother music education C. Siblings 1. Elizabeth Susan a. eldest b. National Honor Society c. theater – stage manager d. early marriage – eleven children e. Boise, Idaho f. finally two useless degrees: Renaissance History, Biology

19. Final reminders
If you are placing a fact or detail into your essay, it should be found in your outline.
Edit your outline for spelling errors and capitalization.
Sub-details should relate to details; details should relate to subtopics; subtopics should relate to main topics. Everything should relate to thesis.
PARALLEL STRUCTURE!

20. NARRATIVE OUTLINE
Prompt: Every person has many facets (sides or characteristics)to their lives that make them individuals; chose two facets and write a narrative essay. Follow the task analysis steps to write your outline. Don’t skip any step; each step will be documented.