BBCHS English Department

The Outline

You will write two different outlines for this project.  First, you will write a preliminary outline, which is very brief.  Its purpose is to provide you with some direction when you do your research.  Second, you will write a final outline.  It will provide you with a structure for your rough draft.  The final outline should be very detailed.

1.  Every line should be either a complete sentence or else just a topic.  Do not mix the styles.

2.  If you choose to divide a topic into smaller parts, you must make at least two divisions.  In other words, you can’t have a 1 without a 2 or an A without a B.

3.  Capitalize the first word in each topic.

4.  Place a period after each letter or number.

5.  Be sure to INDENT correctly.

This is an example of a preliminary outline.

I.  Introduction

II.  Geography

            A.  Population

            B.  Lake Michigan

III.  History

            A.  Fort Dearborn

            B.  Chicago Fire

            C.  Politics

                        1.  Aldermen

                        2.  Mayors

IV.  Attractions

V.  Conclusion