Never mix or combine the different formats in a research paper: use one type of outline exclusively.
The three main types of outlines are the topic outline, the sentence outline, and the paragraph outline. The outline now is easier to read because its entries are parallel. C should be reworded to make it grammatically like entries A and B: Notice the lack of parallelism in the following outline:Įntries A and B consist of the preposition “for” followed by a noun, whereas entry C is worded as an infinitive phrase. The clarity and readability of an outline are improved if its entries are worded in similar grammatical form. A and B are sub-ideas that characterize the new government proposed by Rousseau C is a statement that describes the revolt of the French people against the old government. The new government would serve the people instead of the people serving the government.Įntry C is out of place because it is not of equal rank with entries A and B. It would be a government based on the general will.ī. Rousseau gave the people a new government to work toward.Ī. Notice the absence of equal ranking in the following example: All capital-letter entries consequently must be equivalent in importance and derived from the same organizing principle. The logic of an outline requires that each entry be based on the same organizing principle as another entry of equal rank. The basic principle remains the same: Larger ideas or elements are stacked to the left, with smaller ideas or elements to the right. If further subdivisions are necessary, the format is as follows:
An outline that divides the subject into three or four levels-that is, down to examples or details-generally is adequate for most college research papers. Notice that every subdivided category must have at least two sections because it is impossible to divide anything into fewer than two parts. If you have not been diligent in gathering specific facts about your topic, this deficiency will now be painfully obvious. Indeed, that is exactly what you are expected to do-to make assertions that are supported by concrete examples and specific details. The presumption behind this arrangement is obvious: You do not merely generalize you support your contentions and propositions with examples and details.