University Writing Center at A&M-Texarkana

The traditional outline organizes information into points, subpoints,
and supporting details.  Outlining helps a writer examine his or her
research before writing a draft.  Symmetry must be observed when
outlining.  Each I must have a II; each A must have a B; each 1 must
have a 2; and each a must have a b.

Outline Template

I.  First main topic
  A.  First subtopic of I
     1.  First detail about IA
       a.  First detail or example about IA1
       b.  Second detail or example about IA1
     2.  Second detail about IA
       a.  First detail or example about IA2
       b.  Second detail or example about IA2
  B.  Second subtopic of I
     1.  First detail about IB
       a.  First detail or example about IB1
       b.  Second detail or example about IB1
     2.  Second detail about IB
       a.  First detail or example about IB2
       b.  Second detail or example about IB2

II.  Second main topic
   A.  First subtopic of II
      1.  First detail about IIA
        a.  First detail or example about IIA1
        b.  Second detail or example about IIA1
      2.  Second detail about IIA
        a.  First detail or example about IIA2
        b.  Second detail or example about IIA2
   B.  Second subtopic of II
      1.  First detail about IIB
        a.  First detail or example about IIB1
        b.  Second detail or example about IIB1
      2.  Second detail about IIB
        a.  First detail or example about IIB2
        b.  Second detail or example about IIB2