To complete an outline, you
first need to determine your paper's thesis. Then, decide what information your
paper will include to support that thesis. Next, divide the information into
three or four major categories. Finally, you will put sub-categories under each
major heading.
For example, if I were
going to do a paper on the developing brain of an young child, my outline might
look something like this:
I - Introduction
Thesis:
A young child's brain development is significantly influenced by both
biological and social factors, some occurring even before the child's birth.
II - Prenatal Brain
Development
A - Effects of mother's diet during pregnancy
1 - Folic acids
2 - Caffeine
B - Effects of mother's medical care during pregnancy
C - Effects of mother's controlled substance use during
pregnancy
III - Birth to One Year of
Age Brain Development
A - Effects of infant's diet
1 - Vitamin A
2 - B-complex vitamins
3 - Caffeine
B - Effects of external stimulus
1 - Play with other infants
2 - Play with older children
3 - Play with adults
III - One Year to Three
Years of Age Brain Development
A - Effects of pre-school activities
B - Effects of exposure to educational television
C - Effects of exposure to reading by adults
IV - Summary
One note: If you list an
"A" or "1" subcategory, you must have at least a
"B" or "2." (In other words, you cannot have only one
sub-category listed.) Also, not all sub-categories will require additional
breakdown. (Not all A,B,Cs will require 1,2,3s).