Outline format:
o Outlines are used to help you organize your information and show what are the main topics and further details about those topics.
o The information should be in phrases (avoid full sentences) or a quotation
o The major topics begin with Roman Numerals (I., II., III., IV., V.)
o The next main ideas under the major topics are indented and begin with capital letters (A., B., C.)
o See the examples for further sub-details. Format and indentation are both important!
o Please note: If you have a I., then you have to have a II. If you have an A, then you have to have a B. If you have a 1, then you have to have a 2. If you have an a, then you have a b. (Any further letters or numbers past the second one will be determined by your data).
o You are also asked to cite your source and page number as you complete your outline. Enclose your source name in ellipses ( ) and add the page or pages. It is assumed that the information within your section is all from one source unless you cite another source. If one source is used in the section, then add the source in parenthesis at the beginning of the section and I will assume that the whole section is one source.
o If mixed sources, then I will assume that all of one section is one source until I see the next source cited.
This is just a sample outline. The amount of detail that you go into under each major category will depend on the information you are collecting.
Title of Outline
I. Main Topic
A. Subtopic that gives more information about main topic I. (source p#)
B. Another Subtopic for main topic I. (source p#)
C. Thesis statement:
II. Main topic
A. Subtopic that gives more information about main topic II. (source)
1. Detail that gives more info on subtopic A.
2. Detail that gives more info on subtopic A.
B. Another Subtopic for main topic II.
1. Detail that gives more info on subtopic B. (source p#)
a. More detail about 1.
b. More detail about 1.
1) Sub detail on b
2) More sub detail on b
a) Detail on 2)
b) Further detail on 2)
2. Detail that gives more info on subtopic B. (source)
a. More detail about 2.
b. More detail about 2
Instructions for setting up outline format for Word 2007
· Open a new document
· Make sure you are on the Home tab
· Click on the small box in the upper toolbar that is for a multilevel list
· Once it is open, at the bottom of the box choose “Define a Multilevel List”
· There is a column that shows the levels of an outline. You have to define your choices for number styles. The left bar shows the levels.
o For level 1, in the section marked “Number Style for this level” choose I (Roman Number)
o For level 2, in the section marked “Number Style for this level” choose A
o For level 3, in the section marked “Number Style for this level” choose 1
o For level 4, in the section marked “Number Style for this level” choose a
o For level 5, in the section marked “Number Style for this level” choose 1
§ and then go to the “Enter format for this Number” and add a parenthesis “)” after the 1 = 1)
o For level 6, in the section marked “Number Style for this level” choose a
§ and then go to the “Enter format for this Number” and add a parenthesis “)” after the a = a)
o You should not go any further down in your outline than this, so you are done setting up the format.
You now need to set up this outline: (Worth 10 pts)
I. Lead
II. Introduction
A. Description
B. Severity/Prevalence
C. Causes
D. Thesis Statement
III. Effect 1
IV. Effect 2
V. Evaluation
To go further into the outline levels, use the tab key
Use the backspace key to move out of the outline format and then, if you lose the format, go back to the multi-level list box at the top
Start filling in information from your research into this bare outline
Remember to include the parenthetical citations
I. How to create an outline using MS Word 2003
A. Open Word to a blank page
B. Then, either on the toolbar or under Format – Font. Choose the font for your new document = Times New Roman, size 12
II. Create your first headings
A. Go to top bar, Format then click Bullets & Numbers then click outline format
B. Choose a format that does not have the text “Heading”
C. Now you will start to make your outline levels.
III. Level 1 headings – The Roman Numerals: I, II, III, …
A. Click on the Level 1 and erase all except the period in Number Format
B. For Number Style, click the Roman Numeral section
IV. Level 2 headings – The capital letters: A, B, C
A. Click on Level 2 and erase all except a period in the Number Format
B. For Number Style, click the capital letters A, B, C
V. Level 3 headings – the Arabic numbers with periods
A. Click on Level 3 and erase everything but a period
B. For Number Style, choose 1, 2, 3
VI. Level 4 headings - lower case letters: a, b, c
A. Click on Level 4 and erase everything but a period
B. For Number Style, choose a, b, c
VII. Level 5 headings – numbers with parenthesis
A. Click on Level 5 and erase everything but a closed parenthesis - )
B. For Number Style, choose 1, 2, 3
VIII. Level 6 headings – lower case letters with parenthesis
A. Click on Level 6 and erase everything but a closed parenthesis - )
B. For Number Style, choose a, b, c
· To begin outlining, click on the number icon on your top tool bar
· To move over a level once your line has begun, hit the tab key
· To add information into a level that you have already created, place your cursor at the end of a line and hit the enter key, and then hit tab if you need the information in a lower level.
Use the sample outline from Ms. McLaughlin for your major headings