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How to Write an Outline

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1.
1

Order your main subtopics. If you're writing a story or

presenting a historical argument, a chronological order makes
sense. Otherwise, pick the subtopic with the most supporting
materials, and lead with this argument. From there, order your
major subtopics so each one naturally flows into the next.[3] Label

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each subtopic with a Roman numeral. Here's an example for a

short paper:
Topic: History of the Automobile

I. Early Years: Pre-20th Century

II. Vintage and Classic Cars: 1900 to World War II

III. Modern Cars: After World War II

2.
2

Think of at least two points for each category. Select these

sub-points based on both the purpose of your paper and the list
of supporting materials you gathered earlier. These will form the

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second level of your outline, which is traditionally indented and

labeled in letters of the English alphabet (A, B, C, D, etc.).
I. Early Years: Pre-20th Century

A. Early Steam Power

B. The Combustion Engine

II. Vintage and Classic Cars: 1900 to World War II

A. The Model T

B. Standardization of Technology

(continue for each section)

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3.
3

Expand upon your points with sub-points if necessary. If one

of your lettered sub-points is still a big topic or needs extra details
explained, add another nested layer underneath. Put these in the
third level of your outline, indented again and labeled in ordinary
numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.).
I. Early Years: Pre-20th Century

A. Early Steam Power

1. Invention of steam engine

2. 19th century developments

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B. The Combustion Engine

1. Early Benz automobiles

2. Cars as a luxury item

(etc.)

4.
4

Add layers if necessary. If you need to add additional sub-layers,

use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.), then lowercase
letters (a, b, c, d, etc.) and then finally switch to numbers again (1,
2, 3, 4, etc.). In most cases, three or four layers will be enough.

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Try to combine points first before you add a fifth.

5.
5

Think about your conclusion. You don't have to write it yet, but
look over your outline and think about whether it matches your
chosen goal. If you don't have enough evidence to support your
conclusion, add more subtopics. If one of the subtopics is not
relevant to your conclusion, delete it from your outline.

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