Formal Outlines
A formal outline is hierarchical and linear. It shows the stages of development of the essay in relation to each other and the order in which they will be discussed. It also shows the evidence that you will use to support your ideas. Even when creating a formal outline, do not worry too much about which roman numerals or letters you are using. Just make sure that you are breaking your thesis down into smaller arguments (just as you did in blocking) and then developing each argument through examples.
Below you will find the basic format for a formal outline.
- Introduction
- Major Point 1
- Evidence
- detail
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Major Point 2
- Evidence
- Evidence
- detail
- detail
- even more detail
- even more detail
- even more detail
- Major Point 3, etc.
- Conclusion
Advantages of Outlining
- It will provide you with a clear road map of what to write and in what order.
- It can help you to identify areas where you need more evidence or arguments that are not really relevant to your paper.
- It lists your evidence and will thus save you time when you begin writing.
Disadvantages of Outlining
- It can be time consuming to create.
- Some people find them overwhelming to create or use.
Outline Checklist
Regardless of the type of outline you chose to create, keep the following questions in mind:
- Have you place your thesis at the top? Does every main division and sub-division relate to and advance your thesis?
- Does your outline give space to all of the ideas that are essential to your essay?
- Are ideas of the same level of generality ranked equally in your outline?
- Are ideas arranged in the most effective order?
- Are the evidence and details subordinated under an appropriate section?