From University of Richmond Creating an Outline From University of Richmond

Five Steps *Leave Room Under Steps* Identify your topic. Figure out your main points.  Arrange your main points 4. Create sub-points  5. Evaluate your outline. 

Identify your topic. Do not simply copy and paste the words from the prompt; put the topic in your own words to show your individual understanding. Try to stick with a single sentence or phrase, as this will help make sure you stay on topic.

Figure out your main points. What are the main ideas you want to convey or need to convince your audience? These points usually answer the questions "why or how is the main topic important and right?" Together with your topic, these points should help you arrive at a working thesis.

Arrange your main points Arrange main points in a logical order and list them in the outline. This order can of course be changed later as you evaluate your outline.

Create sub-points Beneath each major idea create sub points. By convention, each time you have a new number or letter, there need to be at least two points (i.e. if you have an A, you need a B; if you have a 1, you need a 2; etc.). Though perhaps frustrating at first, it is indeed useful because it forces you to think hard about each point; if you can’t create two points, then reconsider including the first in your paper, as it may be extraneous information that may detract from your argument.

Evaluate your outline Look over what you have written. Does it make logical sense? Is each point suitably fleshed out? Is there anything unnecessary?

Standard Outline Note that the standard order of an outline is: I. Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) A. Capital letters (A, B, C, etc.) 1. Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) a. Small letters (a, b, c, etc.) i. Small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, v, etc.)

Short Story Essay Example Topic: Explain the Short Story’s Relationship to War Characters, Conflict, Theme Characters Point: The characters in the short story are soldiers. Evidence: Analysis: Their experiences show what war is like. Summary: Conflict Point: There are two conflicts in the story. The external conflict is….. The internal conflict is….. The internal conflict is related to war because it shows how soldiers truly deal with conflict Theme The theme of the story is…. The theme relates to war because…. Why did the author create this theme?

Good or Evil Persuasive Essay Topic: Are people good or evil? People are inherently built to survive making them neither good or evil. Wanting to survive does not make someone good or evil because people are born with a sense of justice and we cannot control our human instincts Sense of Justice Point: When we are born we have a sense of justice that causes us to label actions as good or evil. Evidence: Baby Lab Analysis: By understanding that people are born with a sense of justice, we can understand that it is instinctual for us to create a hierarchy of what we deem acceptable. Surviving is acceptable under all circumstances unless it puts another person’s right to life at risk. Summary: We cannot control our human instincts Point: When in a life or death situation people’s instincts kick in. We have no control over these reactions as they are a part of our genetics. Evidence: Opposing view point- We control our actions Fight or Flight Evidence- We cannot control our physical reactions Our biological disposition to survive in all circumstances causes us to behave in what might appear to be an irrational manner when we are really just trying to protect our selves and species.