How to Create an Outline

1. How to Create an Outline

2. What is an Outline? • An outline is a part of the writing process called “Pre-Writing”. • It is a list of all of the information you would like to include in your paper. • The list helps you to put all of your information in order before you begin writing. It is the best way to get your mind UNJUMBLED when writing any major paper!

3. Why Create an Outline? • Aids in the process of writing • Helps you organize your ideas • Presents your material in a logical form • Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing • Constructs an ordered overview of your writing

4. Roman Numerals in Uppercase • 1 = I • 2 = II • 3 = III • 4 = IV • 5 = V • 6 = VI • 7 = VII • 8 = VIII • 9 = IX • 10 = X • 11 = XI • 14 = XIV • 15 = XV • 16 = XVI • 19 = IXX • 20 = XX • 21 = IXX • 2014 = MMXIV

5. Roman Numerals in Lowercase • 1 = i • 2 = ii • 3 = iii • 4 = iv • 5 = v • 6 = vi • 7 = vii • 8 = viii • 9 = ix • 10 = x • 11 = xi • 14 = xiv • 15 = xv • 16 = xvi • 19 = ixx • 20 = xx • 21 = xii

6. So How Does It Work? • Main headings receive uppercase Roman Numerals. • Subheadings are given letters. • These must work in groups of two or more. • As you go into more detail, these subheadings receive lowercase letters and numbers. • With each heading, you indent five spaces.

7. Example (Yours Will Not Be Exactly the Same!) I. First Main Heading A. Subheading describing I. 1. Subheading describing A. 2. Subheading describing A. B. Subheading describing I. 1. Subheading describing B. a. Subheading describing 1. b. Subheading describing 1. 2. Subheading describing B. II. Second Main Heading

8. Let’s Try – My Paper about Dogs • Toy Dogs (AKC Group) • Housebreaking • Dog Training • Poodle • Dog Breeds • Walking on a Loose Leash • Chihuahua • Hunting Dogs (AKC Group) • Finding the right sized collar • Using the correct length leash

9. Let’s Try – My Paper about Dogs • Dog Breeds A. Hunting Dogs (AKC Group) B. Toy Dogs (AKC Group) 1. Poodle 2. Chihuahua II. Dog Training A. Walking on a Loose Leash 1. Finding the right sized collar 2. Using the correct length leash B. Housebreaking

10. Thesis Statement • Restrict yours to a manageable topic! • BAD: Stephen King writes great books. (Too broad) • BAD: Stephen King’s book The Shining has a terrifying ballroom scene using lots of visual and auditory imagery. (Too narrow)

11. Thesis Statement • Restrict yours to a manageable topic! • Just Right! • In The Shining, Stephen King uses imagery to increase the reader’s understanding of the terror the protagonist must face. • Restricted to ONE topic • Can Give Multiple Examples • Can Discuss Types of Imagery

12. Sample Outline Thesis: In The Shining, Stephen King uses imagery to increase the reader’s understanding of the terror the protagonist must face. I. Visual Imagery • Danny sees the leafy green hedge animals move threateningly towards him (Walker 76). • Danny has increasingly frequent visions of the word “Redrum” splashed in red everywhere (Blakner 807). II. Auditory Imagery • In the pantry, Jack Torrance crunches on Triscuits, beats on the door, and issues vile threats for two hours (Marchant 11). • Danny hears the creaking of the elevator and knows it is Jack coming for him (Nelson).

13. OK. Now What? • You will collect your notes and organize them by topic. • For example, gather everything about theme into one stack. • Next, sort through that stack and organize it by type of theme. • Do this with all your notes/cards. • This would apply to whatever your topic is: symbolism, figurative language, etc.