Topic Outline
Topic Outline
OUTLINE
Topic Outline
lists words or phrases.
arranges your idea
hierarchically (showing which are main
and which are sub-points), in the
sequence you want, and shows what you
will talk about.
As the name implies, it identifies all the
little mini-topics that your paper will
comprise, and shows how they relate.
Guidelines in Making a Topic Outline
Recall that all headings and subheadings
must be words or phrases, not sentences
Also, the wording within each division must
be parallel.
Finally, as in any outline, remember that in
a division or subdivision cannot be divided
into one part; therefore, if there is an “A”,
there must be a “B”, and if there is a “1”, there
must be a “2”.
OUTLINE. An outline is an organizational
guide of the written essay.
AN OUTLINE…
Organizes ideas resulting from free
writing, clustering, or any other
brainstorming activity.
Identifies areas in which the paper
needs additional work or
supporting details to strengthen
main ideas.
Pinpoints areas that have too much
emphasis and need to be
reduced/omitted to avoid
imbalance.
Helps identify how ideas are
related and where connections or
transitions are necessary.
Helps determine how ideas fit the
tentative thesis statement.
The Format
oI. (main topic)
A. (subtopics of I)B.
1. (subtopics of B)2.
a. (subtopics of 2)b.
i. (subtopics of b)ii.
oII. (main topic)
Thesis
The thesis is the point your paper is
trying to prove.
Also known as
the claim or argument.
A thesis is arguable.
An arguable thesis is one you have to
give reasons for, that is worth proving
CRITERIA FOR A GOOD THESIS
1. It is arguable, the kind of statement
someone can agree or disagree with.
2. It provides the answer to a specific
question or the solution to a specific
problem.
3. It addresses the topic of the paper
without straying from the central
idea.
Thesis: The abuse of alcohol and drugs can
affect a person economically,
psychologically, and physically.
I. Economical effects(Main idea)
A. Alcohol(Sub-idea)
1. Cost of alcohol purchases(Detail of A)
2. Cost of DUIs(Detail of A)
B. Drugs(Sub-point)
1. Cost of drug purchases(Detail of B)
2. Cost of drug arrest(Detail of B)
II. Psychological effects
A. Alcohol
1. Mental impairment
2. Mental addiction
B. Drugs
1. Mental impairment
2. Mental addiction
III. Physical effects
A. Alcohol
1. Liver disease
2. Alcohol poisoning
B. Drugs
1. Brain damage
2. Drug overdose
Note:
Besides listing points in
order of rising importance,
this outline groups them
under headings that show
their relation to each other
and to the thesis.
Exercise 1
Create your own Thesis as your topic in
the outlining activity.
your thesis should be arguable.
have at least 3 Main Ideas
Each idea should have at least 2
subtopics.
Each subtopics should atleast have 2
mini-topics