MAKING AN OUTLINE

1. The outline can be a sentence outline or a topic outline.

2. Begin the outline with a statement of purpose.

3. The outline is divided into two or more major sections each beginning with a Roman numeral (I, II, III).

4. Each major section is divided into two or more subsections each beginning with a capital letter (A, B, C).

5. The subsections may be divided into sub-subsections each beginning with an Arabic numeral (1, 2, 3).

6. The sub-subsections may be further divided using lowercase letters (a, b, c).

Source: Writing Research Reports. Evanston, Illinois: McDougal Littell Inc.

2001.

EXAMPLE OF DIVISIONS:

I

A

1

2

a

b

3

B

1

2

II

A

B

III

A

B

C

1

a

b

2

IV

V