Lesson Title:
Outlining
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. identify the importance of outlining;
2. familiarize the types/format of outlining; and
3. pinpoint the rules in outlining.
MEANING OF OUTLINING
Outlining is a general sketch, account, or report, indicating only the main
features, as of a book, subject, or project: an outline of medieval history;
an outline of speech ([Link]/word).
Outlining is the process of creating a basic plan or structure for
something, like a book, speech, or project. It shows the main ideas or
important parts, without going into too much detail. Think of it as drawing
a rough sketch of what you want to do or say, highlighting the key points.
For example, before writing an essay, you might outline the main ideas
you want to cover in each paragraph.
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTLINING
• Outlining will help construct and organize ideas in a sequential manner
and thoughtful flow. Doing so allows you to pick relevant information or
quotes from sources early on, giving writers steady foundation and
groundwork when beginning the writing process. Most importantly,
developing these ideas will help create your thesis.
• The most common forms of outlining are the topic outline (using short
phrases) or the sentence outline (using complete sentences).
Outlining helps you organize your ideas in a clear order, making it
easier to write. It helps you choose important information and quotes
early, giving you a solid starting point. Most importantly, it helps you
develop your main argument or thesis. There are two main types of
outlines: a topic outline, which uses short phrases, and a sentence outline,
which uses complete sentences. Both help guide your writing process.
The formatting follows these characters, in this
order:
● Roman Numerals
● Capitalized Letters
● Arabic Numerals
● Lowercase letters
Roman Numerals (I, II, III) are used for main sections.
Capitalized Letters (A, B) are used for sub-sections.
Arabic Numerals (1, 2) are used for details supporting each sub-section.
Lowercase letters (a, b) could be used for further details under each point, if
needed.
There are a set of rules that you
need to consider if you are planning to
make an
effective outline.
Here are the rules:
1. Arrangement
An outline, whether sentence or topic, is divided into points and sub points. Sub points always go under the main points of
which they are a part and which they support. The divisions in any series should be of equal importance. That is, the heads
numbered I, II, III, IV, etc., should be the main divisions of a paper; divisions lettered with capitals should be sub-divisions of
heads and numbered
with Roman numerals. For example:
Improperly Divided Properly Divided
I. The executive branch I. The executive branch
II. The President [Link] President
III. The Cabinet B. The Cabinet
IV. The legislative branch is II. The legislative branch
V. The House [Link] House
VI. The Senate [Link] Senate
[Link] judicial branch [Link] judicial branch
VIII. The Supreme Court [Link] Supreme Court
IX. The lower courts B. The lower courts
2. Coordination Explanation:
Points of equal importance should The concept of coordination in outlining means
be coordinated-that is, given an that points of equal importance should be listed
equal and parallel ranking. It would
be illogical to outline our national
in the same way, so they have equal rank.
defense, thus: In the example, the four branches of the
I. The Armed Services military (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force) are all
A. The Army equally important. Therefore, they should all be
B. The Navy included as separate points under the main
C. The Marines section about "The Armed Services.
II. The Air Force In the first version, the Air Force is not
The four divisions, being of equal listed in the same way as the other branches,
importance, should be parallel: making it look like it is less important.
I. The armed services The second version fixes this by adding
A. The Army the Air Force as a fourth item, so all the
B. The Navy branches are treated equally.
C. The Marines Coordination means making sure all
D. The Air Force equally important points are presented in the
3. Overlapping Overlapping in outlining means that points should not
Parallel points in an outline repeat or cover the same idea in different places.
In the example, listing "Ford" under "American
should not overlap, as they
automobiles" and then repeating it under "American
do, for example, in the
automobiles" causes confusion and overlap.
following: The correct way is to list different items (like
American automobiles Ford and Chevrolet) as separate points under
I. Ford "American automobiles," while keeping "Foreign
automobiles" as a different section. This way, each
point is clear and distinct, with no repetition or
The following would be overlap.
better: Overlapping means avoiding repetition and
ensuring that each point is unique.
I. American automobiles
A. Ford
B. Chevrolet
II. Foreign automobiles
[Link] sub-point The rule about single sub-points means
Do not use single sub-points in an that you should not list only one sub-point
outline. When you divide anything, you under a main idea in an outline. If you have an
always have at least two parts. Thus, if you "A" point, you should also have a "B" point to
have an A., you should have a B.; a 1. should keep things balanced.
be followed by a 2. If you think that you In the example, saying:
have only one subtopic, include it in the A. Montana is one of these states.
topic above.
is incorrect because there's only one sub-point.
For example, instead of writing:
Large, sparsely populated states are hard for Instead, you should either add more examples
salesmen to cover. or simply include the information in the main
A. Montana is one of these states. point:
Large, sparsely populated states like Montana
Write: are hard for salesmen to cover.
This way, there's no need for a separate
Large, sparsely populated states like sub-point, and everything stays clear and
Montana are hard for salesmen to cover.
organized.
5. Parallelism Parallelism in outlining means that similar
If I. is a pronoun, II. should be a points should have the same structure.
For example:
pronoun; if A. under I. is an
If you start with a pronoun in one section (like
adjective, B. under I. should also be
"I."), the next section (like "II.") should also use
an adjective. a pronoun.
If you use an adjective for one sub-point (like
"A."), the next sub-point (like "B.") should also
use an adjective.
In short, points of the same level should
follow the same pattern to keep the outline
balanced and easy to understand.
6. Consistency
Consistency means you should stick to one
In a topic outline, all points and style of outline.
sub-points must be words, phrases, or In a topic outline, all points should
clauses. In a sentence outline, all points be words or phrases (e.g., "Benefits of
must be sentences. In other words, do exercise").
not mix topic and sentence outlines. In a sentence outline, all points
should be complete sentences (e.g.,
"Exercise improves mental health").
Don't mix the two styles in the
same outline—keep it uniform!
7. Numbering and lettering
Periods, not dashes, should be placed In outlining, always use periods
after these figures and letters. after numbers and letters, not
dashes.
For example:
I. not I-
A. not A-
1. not 1-
This keeps the outline clean
and consistent.
8. Capitalization In an outline, always capitalize the first
Capitalize the first word of every point word of each point and sub-point.
and sub-point and only such other Also, capitalize other words that are
words as would naturally be normally capitalized, like proper nouns
capitalized. (names of people, places, etc.).
For example:
I. Importance of exercise
A. Physical benefits
1. Improved heart health
But don’t capitalize random words.
Only what makes sense to capitalize!
9. Punctuation
In an outline, use a period after each
Use a period after each number or number or letter
letter indicating a point. Do not use
(like I., A., 1.).However, don't put a
a period at the end of a line unless
the point or sub-point is a sentence period at the end of a point or sub-point
unless it is a complete sentence.
For example:
I. Benefits of exercise (no period at the
end)
A. It improves health. (period because
it's a sentence)
10. Indentation
Indentation means that all
Indent equally headings of the same rank. Corresponding
letters or numbers--I, II, III; A, B, C; 1, 2, 3- should be kept in points of the same level should line up
vertical columns. If a subtopic is too long for one line, the second evenly.
line should line up under the first word of the line above. Do not Keep numbers and letters (I, II,
write directly under the symbol when a line runs over; i.e.,
use hanging indents.
A, B, 1, 2) in a straight vertical line.
I.__________________________________________ If a point is too long for one
A.______________________________________________ line, start the next line under the first
B.______________________________________________ word, not under the symbol.
1. _____________________________________ Use hanging indents (shift the
2. _____________________________________ second line slightly) when the point
3.______________________________________ runs over.
a. ____________________________
b._____________________ This makes your outline neat and
i.____________________ organized.
ii._____________________
II._________________________________________