An outline is a writer’s or a speaker’s plan. It is his blueprint. It shows the order in which topics will be or have been discussed, the relative importance of each, and the relationship between the various parts.
A Blueprint as compared to an Outline
"An outline is like a blue print that an engineer or an architect do before building any part of a house or establishment."
Why do we do Outlines?
There are several purposes why we do outlines and these are:(1) When studying a reading assignment, you may find the outlining method of note taking helpful, for an outline can give you in a clear, concise form an overall view of a subject. (2) When preparing to write a paper or give a talk, you will find that an outline can help you to organize your material and to give you an overall view of your topic. (3) When you take notes in class or at a lecture, outline form is helpful.
There are Two types of Outlines
1. Topic outline
In a topic outline, use words, phrases, or clauses rather than complete sentences.
Example:
I. Inevitability
A.1984 written in 1949 as prediction of the future
B.Brave New World written in 1938 as projection of things to come
II. Opposite settings
A.Constant watchfulness in 1984
1.“Big Brother”
2.Punishment for slightest unorthodoxy
3.Puritan Morals
B.False happiness and peace in Brave New World
1.Satisfaction of desires
2.Excellent living conditions
3.Mild punishments, if any at all
2. Sentence outline
In a sentence outline, use complete sentences.
Example:
I. Both Orwell and Huxley seem convinced that the conditions in their novels are inevitable.
A.The novel 1984 was written in 1949 as a prediction of the future.
B.Brave New World, written in 1938, was a projection of the way the world would be many years in the future.
II. The settings of the books appear, at first glance, to be opposite.
A. In 1984 there is a constant watch on the people.
1. “Big Brother” is always watching.
2. The slightest unorthodoxy is severely punished by imprisonment or death.
3. The inhabitants have puritan morals.
B. The world presented in Brave New World seems happy and peaceful.
1. The inhabitants are granted satisfaction of almost any desire they might have.
2. The living conditions of the common man are excellent.
3. Any unorthodoxy is met with mild punishment, if any is given at all.
Two forms of Numbers in an Outline
We also have two forms or style of numbering the elements in our outline. We have:
1. Alphanumeric Outlines
This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:
*Roman Numerals
*Capitalized Letters
*Arabic Numerals
*Lowercase Letters
If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses.
2. Decimal Outlines
The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
2.1________________________________________
2.2________________________________________
2.3________________________________________
2.3.1_____________________________________
2.3.2_____________________________________