Outlines
An outline is a formal system used to plan and organize your paper. Outlines allow you see the
overall picture of the topic you are addressing in your paper. For example, you can use it to see
whether your ideas connect to each other, what order of ideas works best, or whether you have
sufficient evidence to support each of your points.
There are two kinds of outlines: the topic outline and the sentence outline.
• The topic outline consists of short phrases. It simply provides a brief statement of the
topics and ideas that will be included in each part of your paper and is most helpful in the
planning stage.
• The sentence outline is done in full sentences. It is normally used to develop the topics
you mapped out in your topic outline. It focuses on the details of each topic and allows
for you to write out all points and supportive evidences and commentaries in complete
sentences.
Both topic and sentence outlines follow specific formats, using Roman and Arabic numerals
along with capital and small letters of the alphabet. This helps both you and anyone who reads
your outline to follow your organization easily.
Roman Numerals are representative of an overall paragraph and should identify the topic to be
addressed in each paragraph.
Capital Letters are representative of each point you will be making about the topic you
identified in the Roman numeral.
Arabic Numerals are where you identify your specific textual evidence (concrete
detail)
Small Letters are where you will EXPLAIN how your textual evidence
(concrete detail) supports your topic sentence as well as your
overall thesis.
By convention, each category consists of a minimum of two entries. If your first category is
Roman numeral I, your outline must also have a category labeled Roman numeral II. If you have
a capital letter A under category I, you must also have a capital letter B. You are required to have
only two of each numbered or lettered category.
A template of how an outline should be appropriately organized is included below. You can
use this template and just type in for the format.
Introduction and Conclusion should each be at least 5 sentences long.
Body Paragraphs should be 7-10 sentences long.
Bring your Outline typed and printed to class on Monday! Feel free to delete my writing, but
keep the Roman Numerals, Capital Letters and Arabic numerals there—that is what makes it an
outline!
Last Name 1
First and Last Name
Mrs. Greene– class period
Pre-AP English I
29 October 2013
Outline
I.
Introduction
A. Hook:
B. Thesis Statement:
II.
Historical Background
Topic Sentence: One sentence that states what this paragraph will address.
A. A broad statement that introduces the first point you will be using to support your
topic sentence.
1. Concrete Detail (Textual Evidence).
2. Explain how your concrete detail addresses your topic sentence
B. A broad statement that introduces the first point you will be using to support your
topic sentence.
1. Concrete Detail (Textual Evidence).
2. Explain how your concrete detail addresses your topic sentence
C. Commentary explaining how overall topic proves thesis.
III.
Animal Farm Connection
Topic Sentence: One sentence that states what this paragraph will address.
A. A broad statement that introduces the first point you will be using to support your
topic sentence.
1. Concrete Detail (Textual Evidence).
2. Explain how your concrete detail addresses your topic sentence
B. A broad statement that introduces the first point you will be using to support your
topic sentence.
1. Concrete Detail (Textual Evidence).
2. Explain how your concrete detail addresses your topic sentence
C. Commentary explaining how overall topic proves thesis.
IV.
Conclusion
A. Reflect on key points and sum up your paper.
B. Remember to include whether or not Orwell was successful at presenting the
historical person/event in AF.
(Remember: You can have more than two body paragraphs. If you need to
include an extra paragraph or two, be sure that you use the same structure as the
first two body paragraphs)