Points about a Formal Outline in English

Contents

  1. Generally your outline will have 3 main points.
  2. Under the main point, put supporting ideas.
    1. Each main point should have at least 2 supporting ideas.
    2. Generally, if you have an (A), put a (B).
  3. Under each supporting idea, you may have supporting details.

Other Points

  1. Use a gerund or noun at the beginning of each point.
    2.  
  2. Don't make complete sentences. (Note that this explanation is not truly an outline.)
    3.  
  3. Periods are not necessary since Outlines don't have sentences.
    4.  
  4. Outlines generally don't include transitions ("but," "and," etc.). Those are added as you write your paper.
    5.  
  5. You don't need the term "about," because each item on your Outline is about something!

See Sample of an Outline Form.

See how to Format a Formal Outline using the Japanese version of MS Word.

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CA's Academy of English

Prepared by C.A. Edington, 2001; updated 2005
Sapporo University Academic Writing
Hokkaido University of Education Composition