Creating an Outline

Why is an outline like a roll of film? An outline helps you develop a snapshot of your paper before you write it.

How is an outline like a skeleton? They are the bare bones on which you hang the muscle of a composition.

An outline: Has a title Should begin with a thesis statement or introductory sentence Is made up of either topics or sentences, but not both Follows parallel structure

Roller Hockey Roller hockey will soon be the most popular new sport in the world. (This should be a provable/supportable point. Everything that follows this should be support or proof the thesis statement.)

Topic vs Sentence (Choose one style and stay with it throughout the entire outline.) Short phrases Complete, properly written sentences with subject, verb, and correct use of punctuation, grammar, and capitalization

Parallel Structure Each section of the outline should follow parallel structure. Each topic in a group should follow the same structure. However you start the outline, make sure to follow the same structure throughout. Example: If the first item ends with _ing, then the rest of the items in that section should end with _ing.

Outlines I. Uses A. Summarize information from readings B. Preparation for a paper C. Preparation for a speech II. Characteristics Note: Uses and Characteristics are both plural nouns, so they are parallel. Keep consistent with singular or pluarl and make sure all verbs are in the same tense. Question: Are the subtopics parallel?

Outlines I. Uses A. Summary of information from readings B. Preparation for a paper C. Preparation for a speech II. Characteristics Note: Summarize was changed to “Summary of” so that each of the subtopics begins with a noun.

An outline uses: Roman numerals (large and small) Upper and lower case letters Arabic numbers Indentation

Order of the outline Large Roman numerals – to mark the main topic Followed by Indented capital letter items Further indented Arabic numbers and lower case letters, and small Roman numerals, all followed by a period.

American Writers I. Novelists A. Mark Twain B. Edith Wharton C. John Steinbeck Poets A. Robert Frost B. Emily Dickinson C. Langston Hughes

Title Statement: Put thesis statement here. Main topic one A. Subtopic one B. Subtopic two 1. sub – sub topic one 2. sub – sub topic two a. Sub – sub – sub topic one b. Sub – sub – sub topic two i. sub – sub – sub – sub topic one ii. sub – sub – sub – sub topic two