1. SUCCESSFUL OUTLINES Organizing Information before Drafting

2. Formal Outlines A formal outline is a logical arrangement of the main ideas, subtopics, and details that will go into a written paper. –Use Roman numerals for main sections –Indent and use capital letters for topics –Indent and use numbers for subtopics/details

3. Organizing an Outline Keep all items of the same rank in parallel form. If subtopic A is expressed as a noun, then B and C should be expressed as nouns. When subtopics follow a topic or are followed by details, there must be two or more of each: for every I, there must be a II; for every A, a B; for every 1, a 2. When the sequence of events is important to a subject, organize your outline for earliest event to latest event.

4. Conventions Capitalize the first word of each entry in an outline and the letters that introduce major subsections. I.Famous buildings of the Middle Ages A.The Leaning Tower of Pisa 1. Construction of bell tower 2. Repairs to tower foundation B.The Tower of London 1.Construction of royal fortress 2.Additions to original site

5. Conventions Use a period after each number or letter in an outline or a list. Topic: Early Communication II. Body A.Visual 1.Sign Language 2.Writing

6. Begin Your Outline Use your notes and organize your information. I.Introduction A.Lead Sentence: B.Thesis: II.Body A. B. C. D. III.Conclusion A. (Repeat thesis and summarize information.)