The document provides guidance on outlining for writing papers. It discusses that an outline is a snapshot of the paper that helps organize points from the introduction to conclusion in a logical manner. The document offers tips for writing outlines such as arranging information logically with an introduction, main body, and conclusion. It also notes that outlines should be concise and avoid having only one point or sub-point. Sample outlines are included to demonstrate both topic and sentence outline structures.

1. Outlining

2. Outline
• is a snapshot of your paper, capturing the
important points
• helps you to take your paper from a clear
introduction to a logical conclusion, supported
by your research
• is essentially a guide to writing your paper,
something like an of assembly instructions

3. Outlining
• It helps you to organize your paper
and keeps you on track
• Your preliminary research give you
enough knowledge about your
topic to make a general outline.

4. Outlining
• You may need to make some
adjustments to your outline as you go
along and discover more about your
topic.
• If you make a good outline and follow
it carefully, you will have a sound
finished product.

5. Tips for Writing an Outline
• Arrange your information logically,
and include an introduction, main
body, and conclusion.
• The introduction should state the
subject of your paper and the areas you
will focus on.

6. Tips for Writing an Outline
• The body should be divided into
main topics.
• Each main topic should be divided
into subtopics which support it.

7. Tips for Writing an Outline
• List key points you want to cover for
each subtopic.
• You may have further details for the
key points.
• Your conclusion should briefly sum up
your main topic.

8. Outline (Alphanumeric)
• Title
I. Introduction
II. Main Topic
A. Subtopic
1. Key point
2. Key point
a. Detail
b. Detail
B. Subtopic
1. Key point
2. Key point
III. Main Topic
A. Subtopic
1. Key point
2. Key point
IV. Conclusion

9. Reminders
• Avoid only having one point or
sub-point on any outline level.
• If there is an A, you also need a B.
If there is 1, you also need 2.

10. Reminders
• Take your outline seriously, and it
will go a long way in helping you
logically construct your paper.
• Many essays fail because their
general structure and organization
is weak.

11. Reminders
• Your outline should not be your essay
in a different form. Make sure that you
are only writing the major assertions,
or referencing specific
details/examples.
• Your outline should be concise.

12. Sample Paragraph
If you sleep in a tent, the most important
thing to look for in a good camping spot is the
quality of the ground. First, the ground has to be
level. People who sleep in a tent sleep on the
ground. For that reason, any jagged rocks or
uneven ground can mean trouble. Both
problems can cause discomfort and prevent a
good night’s sleep. If the ground is not level, it is
best to keep looking for a better camping spot.
Second, a good camping spot should be on high
ground. Low spots are bad, because if it rains,
water can collect under the tent. Also, low
ground can be spongy and damp.

13. Sample Paragraph
No one wants a water bed in his tent. Finally, it is
really nice to have a few trees around. Leafy
tress provide shade. In the summertime they are
nature’s air conditioning. Trees also smell good,
especially pine trees. They add fragrance to the
fresh air. In addition, it’s a good idea to hang
your food high in the trees. That way, you are
less likely to have unwelcome visitors. Find
these qualities in your camping spot, and you will
not be disappointed.

14. Outline
• Topic Sentence: If you sleep in a tent, the most
important thing to look for in a good camping
spot is the quality of the ground.
• I. The ground has to be level.
A. People in tents sleep on the ground.
B. Jagged rocks and uneven ground mean
trouble.

15. Outline
• II. A good spot should be on high ground.
A. Low spots can collect rain.
B. Low ground can be spongy and damp.
• III. It is nice to have a few trees around.
A. They provide shade.
B. They smell good.
C. They make a camp site safe (from bears).
• Concluding Sentence: Find these qualities in your
camping spot and you will not be disappointed.

16. Topic Outline vs. Sentence
Outline
•TOPIC OUTLINE
•It is brief.
•It makes use of word, words, or
phrases.
•Its parallel structure reveals the
logic that you’ll follow in your
paper.

17. Topic Outline vs. Sentence
Outline
•SENTENCE OUTLINE
•It is specific rather than simply
generalizing.
•It makes use of sentences and
end punctuations.

18. Tips in Outlining
1) Do not mix topic and sentence outline
methods.
2) Indent properly.
3) In a sentence outline, begin each point
with a CAPITAL LETTER and place a
period after each division, number, or
letter, and at the end of the sentence.

19. Tips in Outlining
4) In a topic outline, begin each point with
a CAPITAL LETTER and place a
period after each division, number, or
letter. DO NOT place periods after
ideas.
5) Strive for parallel wording among
outline topics and sub-topics.

20. Sample Topic Outline
Thesis Statement: The abuse of alcohol and drugs
can affect a person economically, psychologically,
and physically.
I. Economical Effects
A. Alcohol
1. Cost of alcohol purchases
2. Cost of driving under the
influence (DUI) or drunk driving

21. Sample Sentence Outline
I. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect one
economically.
A. The cost of alcohol abuse is high and getting
higher.
1. Alcohol costs are always rising
because of rising production
costs as well as taxes.
2. The cost of DUI or drunk
driving can be enormous.

22. Sample Topic Outline
B. Drugs
1. Cost of drug purchases
2. Cost of drug arrest
II. Psychological effects
A. Alcohol
1. Mental impairment
2. Mental addiction
B. Drugs
1. Mental impairment
2. Mental addiction

23. Sample Sentence Outline
B. The cost of drug abuse can be high.
1. The cost of drugs fluctuates
drastically according to the type
of drug, its availability, and the
amount.
2. Even the arrest for the
possession of a minute amount
of drugs can result in high bail
and court cost.

24. Sample Sentence Outline
II. Alcohol and drug abuse can have psychological
effects.
A. Alcohol abuse can damage a person
psychologically.
1. Alcohol is a depressant and can
alter the personality of anyone.
2. The abuse of alcohol can lead to
the psychological addiction to
alcohol.

25. Sample Sentence Outline
B. Drug abuse can be detrimental to one
psychologically.
1. Drugs impair one’s ability to
function normally because of the
hallucination or numbness of
“getting high”.
2. Drugs can become a
psychological addiction.

26. Sample Topic Outline
III. Physical effects
A. Alcohol
1. Liver disease
2. Alcohol poisoning
B. Drugs
1. Brain damage
2. Drug overdose

27. Sample Sentence Outline
III. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect one
physically.
A. Alcohol and drug abuse can cause
physical problems.
1. The most common disease
among alcoholics is cirrhosis of
the liver.
2. The massive consumption of
alcohol can lead to alcohol
poisoning and death.

28. Sample Sentence Outline
B. Drug abuse has many physical implications.
1. Drug abuse has been linked to
the damage of brain tissue.
2. The unpredictability of drugs
can lead to an overdose and
death.

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