Formal Outlines

Formal Outlines

Purpose of Outlines

• It maps out the development of your essay.

• It shows you the organization / structure of your essay, so you know what to do and when to do it when you sit down to actually write your paper. For instance, your first main idea in your outline will be your first main idea in your essay.

Getting Started

• Title your outline

• Write your thesis

Pro Tip

The thesis represents the introduction paragraph.
The outline itself represents the body paragraphs.

Next, Choose a Formal Outline Type

• Topic Outline: every item in the outline is written in short phrases OR

• Sentence Outline: every item in the outline is written in complete sentences

• It is your preference, but it can't be both. 

Format

Thesis:
I. Main Idea One
      A. Supporting detail
      B. Supporting detail
II. Main Idea Two
      A. Supporting detail
               1. Specific elaboration of this detail
               2. Specific elaboration of this detail     
      B. Supporting detail
III. Main Idea Three
      A. Supporting detail
      B. Supporting detail

Multiple Choice

What do Roman numerals represent in an outline?

• the topic of the entire essay

• the main ideas of the essay

Format

Thesis:
I. Main Idea One
      A. Supporting detail
      B. Supporting detail
II. Main Idea Two
      A. Supporting detail
               1. Specific elaboration of this detail
               2. Specific elaboration of this detail     
      B. Supporting detail
III. Main Idea Three
      A. Supporting detail
      B. Supporting detail

Multiple Choice

What do capital letters represent in an outline?

• the supporting details (how you will talk about or prove your main ideas)

• the main ideas of the essay

Format

Thesis:
I. Main Idea One
      A. Supporting detail
      B. Supporting detail
II. Main Idea Two
      A. Supporting detail
               1. Specific elaboration of this detail
               2. Specific elaboration of this detail     
      B. Supporting detail
III. Main Idea Three
      A. Supporting detail
      B. Supporting detail

Let's look at an example...

Sample Outline

Thesis: Pies, cakes, and ice cream are the best desserts to eat.

I. Pies
      A. Apple
      B. Cherry
II. Cakes
      A. Vanilla
      B. Chocolate
III. Ice cream
      A. Cookie dough
      B. Mint chocolate chip
               1. Green 
               2. White
      C. Strawberry

Did you notice that the outline branched out under 'mint chocolate chip' ice cream?

As you are outlining your topic, you may need to clarify a supporting detail. This won't always be the case, but it is an option if you feel it is necessary. Remember, outlines are for you, THE WRITER. 

In our example, there are two types of mint chocolate chip ice cream, so I differentiated between the two (green and white) because I am going to mention both types in my essay.

Let's continue to closely look at our sample outline.

Take a look at the sample outline one more time, and let's answer some questions about the connection between this outline and the essay that will come from it.

Sample Outline

Thesis: Pies, cakes, and ice cream are the best desserts to eat.

I. Pies
      A. Apple
      B. Cherry
II. Cakes
      A. Vanilla
      B. Chocolate
III. Ice cream
      A. Cookie dough
      B. Mint chocolate chip
               1. Green 
               2. White
      C. Strawberry

Multiple Choice

Based on the sample outline, what will body paragraph 1 be about?

• pies

• cakes

• ice cream

Sample Outline

Thesis: Pies, cakes, and ice cream are the best desserts to eat.

I. Pies
      A. Apple
      B. Cherry
II. Cakes
      A. Vanilla
      B. Chocolate
III. Ice cream
      A. Cookie dough
      B. Mint chocolate chip
               1. Green 
               2. White
      C. Strawberry

Multiple Choice

Based on the sample outline, what will body paragraph 2 be about?

• pies

• cakes

• ice cream

Sample Outline

Thesis: Pies, cakes, and ice cream are the best desserts to eat.

I. Pies
      A. Apple
      B. Cherry
II. Cakes
      A. Vanilla
      B. Chocolate
III. Ice cream
      A. Cookie dough
      B. Mint chocolate chip
               1. Green 
               2. White
      C. Strawberry

Multiple Choice

Based on the sample outline, what will body paragraph 3 be about?

• pies

• cakes

• ice cream

Pro Tip

Main ideas become topic sentences for the body paragraphs. Be sure to use those key words from your outline in your essay.

Let's recap...

• Outlines map out the structure of your essay

• Start with your thesis. The outline flows from this.

• Roman numerals are main ideas

• Capital letters are supporting details

• Follow your outline when writing your essay. It takes the guesswork out of writing.

• The outline is an organizational tool for you!