Roman numerals, A’s and B's, periods, parentheses. Putting together an outline can just be extremely
frustrating when you don't know what goes where. Well, today, I'm going to try to reduce
the frustration. Hopefully I can answer the question for you of how you can create a formal
outline. But a quick review: when are you likely to
use an outline, either formally or informally? When you're preparing a speech, drafting a
paper, writing an email message, organizing a to-do list, studying a chapter, or even
creating a PowerPoint presentation. Anytime you need to organize or remember something,
you can outline. It helps if you understand that outlining
is based upon two principles: subordination and coordination. The concept of subordination
says that not all points are created equal, that you would have a Roman numeral one that
might be your main point and underneath that you have sub points. They are lower than that,
they're still important, but they're not as important as the superordinate point. That's
the point above them and then under each of the A's and B's you would have also some sub
points. So here you have sub point one and two that are supporting the B sub point. So
those are subordinate to the B sub point. The B sub point is subordinate to the Roman
numeral sub point. The concept of coordination says that those that are on the same level
are about of equal importance. If you're looking at your main points as Roman numerals one,
two, and three, those we say are coordinate with each other: they are about equal in importance.
The A and the B sub points, which are subordinate to the Roman numeral one sub point that you
see, they are coordinate with each other. So while they are less important than the
main points, they're about equally important when you compare them to each other.
What should a formal outline look like? Well, we will focus on some of the general parts
– the consistency, the balance and, related to balance, the fact that you shouldn't have
very many, if any, single sub points – and then the nuts and bolts, including the numbering
scheme, those margins, and then capitalizations. Generally the outline should be as detailed
as the need, or the professor, requires. For my students, I asked them to go to at least
the third level of an outline, which are the little ones and twos that you see in the sample.
It should be reasonably balanced in detail. You shouldn't have one section that is significantly
shorter or have less weight than another section unless it's intentional. Try to avoid single
sub points. One of the concepts here is that if there's an A, there should be a B. If there's
a one, there should be a two. Now there can be a C, D, or E and there can be a three,
four, and five, but if you're going to have a sub point then you need to subdivide. You're
going to have at least two. Technically, you can use a single sub point, but that would
be if you're using an isolated example to support – to make it easy for yourself and
easy. For whoever may be grading it, like a professor, try to avoid single sub points.
Be consistent in numbering, in capitalization, and in spacing. And then we'll talk about
this in a little bit more detail later, use alphanumeric or full sentence style, try to
be consistent throughout your outline. And, of course, please proofread.
Most people have difficulty determining when to use Roman numerals, when to use A's and
B's, and the like. This slide should help you get this perfect. Although my students
are not required to go lower than the third level in outlining, I'm going to show you
how to go all the way to the sixth level. Your main points are the first level and you
identify those by using uppercase Roman numerals, followed by a period, and then you tab over
to start your first sentence. The second level uses capital letters and, again, uses a period.
For the third level we use Arabic numbers, again, followed by a period. Then we move
to lowercase letters, followed by a period for the fourth level. This is usually the
level most students stopped at. Even though I only require you to go to the third level,
sometimes you'll go to the fourth. But if you need to go to the fifth level, the scheme
changes a bit. Now we use Arabic numbers that are enclosed by parentheses rather than set
off by period, and on the sixth level we use lowercase letters also enclosed by parentheses.
Notice the alignment of the numbers and the words. We'll talk about that a little bit
more when we talk about hanging indents and margins.
How much detail should you include in an outline? Again, it depends upon what your professor
requires and what you're comfortable with, if it's your own personal outline. Owl at
Purdue talks about alphanumeric and full sentence outlines. Alphanumeric outlines are putting
it down in phrases rather than complete sentences and a full sentence outline, well, what a
surprise, it's writing it down in full sentences. A full sentence outline is essentially a manuscript
that you've just fit into an outline form. Turning next to margins and the concept of
hanging indents. You'll see that there's a lot of white space in this full sentence outline
and that's because, if I were going to be delivering a speech or writing a paper, I
want to quickly be able to figure out where I am and the white space helps you. But as
much as it helps you, when you're trying to put an outline together, it's frustrating
to actually do this. This is a hanging indent. You'll notice that the Roman numeral starts
at the left margin and then you would tab over and start, in this case, the sentence,
“Knitting has a very interesting history although it's difficult to pinpoint where
and when it began.” Notice that the word “where” does not show up under the Roman
numeral 1. Instead it shows up under the first letter of the sentence above it. You'll notice
as well that it's not just under the major point the first Roman numeral that you'll
see a hanging indent, but it's under each additional point underneath.
Capitalization is also an area where students can get marked down on a formal outline. You
capitalize the first letter of the first word after the Roman numeral or after the a. It's
not a combination of upper and lowercase letters, it's just the first letter has to be capitalized.
Quiz time! What are the concepts of coordination and subordination and what do they have to
do with outlines? Which levels in an outline are coordinate with each other and which are
subordinate with each other? What needs to be capitalized in an outline? And, finally,
what role do hanging indents play in outlining? Hopefully, now, you have a better understanding
and you won't be scratching your head about those ones and twos and A's and B's. Enjoy
outlining.