1. Outlining: How to Organize Your Research
Ms. Payne

2. Why Outline? Basically, it makes writing the final paper easier!
Helps in the process of writing
Organizes your ideas
Presents your information in a logical format
Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing
Basically, it makes writing the final paper easier!
From:

3. Process- How to begin…
Decide which pieces of information will go into your paper (go through your data charts and circle/star useful notes)
Organize- group related ideas together (basically done for you on the data chart)
Label information as “Main” or “Sub” (main are big ideas and sub are the details to support the main).

4. Format of the Alphanumeric (topic) Outline
Roman numerals are used for the 3 main parts of the paper:
Introduction
Thesis statement
Body
III. Conclusion
Thesis statement reworded/rewritten

5. Formatting, cont’d.
After Roman Numerals, use Capital Letters as main ideas: A. B. C.
Etc.

6. Formatting, cont’d.
After Capital Letters, use Arabic numerals for sub headings: 1. 2. 3.
Etc.

7. Formatting, cont’d.
If you need to go even further, use lowercase letters: a. b. c.
Etc.

8. Writing the Body of the Paper
Think about it this way…
1. Background/overview of the topic- this is where you will define terms, give history and major players involved
2. Issue- discuss the problem you are writing about. Support your stance on the topic (benefits/pros) AND give counterarguement (cons/bad points), but disspell them…
3. Proposal/Solution- describe/detail what should be done/is being done to fix the problem to support your stance. Problem-solve and support with research!

9. Formatting, cont’d. Major rule!!! You cannot have a 1. without a 2.
You cannot have an a. without a b.
You must indent each type of heading as you
move down the paper.
Outlines should be typed and double-spaced
with the title, Outline

10. Examples