1. Why and How to Create a Useful Outline
Harvard Outline
Why and How to Create a Useful Outline

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. What does previous information look like in form?
Outlines
I. 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. _____________

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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