Harvard OutlineWhy and How to

Create a Useful Outline

Sample Format of Outline

Title

I. Main topic

A. Subtopic

B. Subtopic

1. Detail

2. Detail

a. sub-detail

b. sub-detail

II. Main topic

General Information for Outline

• Title will always be the subject of the outline• Use Roman Numerals, capital letters, lower-

case letters• Main topics = Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, VI,etc)• Subtopics = Capital Letters• Details = Numbers• Sub-details = Lower Case Letters

• Keep parallel structure • The indentation of each subtopic, detail, sub-details

Why create an outline?

• To show the hierarchical relationship or logical ordering of information

• For research papers outlines help keep track of large amounts of information

• For creative writing outlines organize various plot threads and character traits

• For an oral presentation an outline helps to speak more effectively in front of a crowd

What does previous information look like in form?

OutlinesI. Why?

A. Hierarchical relationship

1. Logical order of information

2. __________

B. Research paper

1. keeps track information

2. _________

C. Creative Writing

1. organize plot

2. keep track character traits

3. ____________

D. Oral presentation

1. helps speaker

2. organizes thoughts

3. _____________

Primary reasons for creating an outline

II. Primary reasons

A. Aids in the process of writing

B. Helps you to organize your ideas

C. Presents your material in a logical form

D. Shows the relationship among ideas

E. Defines boundaries / groups

How to create an outline?

III. Outline process

A. Determine

1. Purpose

a. what do you want to accomplish

2. Audience

a. who are you writing to

B. Develop

1. Thesis

Simplified task analysis for Outline

IV. Task analysis

A. Brainstorm

1. List all ideas

B. Organize

2. Group related areas / ideas

C. Order

1. Arrange information in subsections

a. from general to specific

b. From abstract to concrete

D. Label

1. Create main and sub headings

Components for Effectiveness

V. Four Main Components

A. Parallelism

1. Heading and subheadings use parallelism

a. grammatical similarity

- If main topic starts with a verb, second main

topic should start with a verb

2. Example

a. A. Choose desired colleges

B. Prepare application

3. Present tense verbs are preferred for outlines

V. Four Main Components (cont.)

B. Coordination

1. Subtopics relates to main topics

2. Details relate to subtopics

3. Sub-details relate to details

4. Example

a. 1. Visit / evaluate college campuses

2. Visit / evaluate college websites

a. Important statistics

b. Interesting classes

V. Four Main Components (cont.)

C. Subordination

1. Information for details/sub-details are specific

2. Example

a. I. Influential person in life

A. Favorite high school teacher

1. Mrs. Orr

a. English teacher

b. 10th grade

c. bizarre humor

d. old / mean

V. Four Main Components (cont.)

D. Division

1. Each topic (main, sub) should be divided into

2 or more parts

2. Example

a. I. Compile Resume

A. List relevant coursework

B. List work experiences

C. List volunteer experience