Making an Outline

I. Elements of an Outline

A. Points: These are the representations of the groups of data written in words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. These are classified by degrees into main points, sub-points, sub-sub-points, sub-sub-sub-points, and so on.

B. Designation: These are the symbols assigned to points. These are in numbers or words.

The symbols used for the points in an alphanumeric format are the following:
1. Main points: I, II, III, and so on (Roman numerals)
2. Subpoints: A, B, C, and so on (Capital letters)
3. Sub-subpoints: 1, 2, 3, and so on (Hindu-Arabic numbers)
4. Sub-sub-subpoints: a, b, c, and so on (lower case letters)
5. Fifth degree points: (1), (b), (c), and so on
6. Sixth degree points: (a), (b), (c), and so on
Note: If the outline is up to fifth degree points only, the fifth degree symbol may be: (i), (ii), (iii)

C. Indention. This is the spaces of points and symbols from the left margin to the right. There are two rules of indention:
1. The higher the degree of points, the closer they are to the left margin.
2. Points of the same degree are aligned.

D. Order. This is the basic order pattern of data of the same degrees. There are basic order patterns, namely:
1. Chronological. This is arrangement of data according to time.
2. Spatial. This is arrangement of data according to space (left-right, top-bottom, etc.)
3. Logical. This is arrangement of data based on reason (least impt-most impt, etc.)

II. Types of an Outline

A. Topic outline. The points are written in words, phrases, or clauses.

B. Sentence outline. The points are written in sentences.

III. Types of Outline Format

A. Alphanumeric format. The designations are in numbers and letters.

B. Decimal format. The designations are in numbers with decimal points.

SAMPLE OUTLINES
Alphanumeric Format

I. Imported goods
.....A. Price
.....B. Availability
.....C. Quality

II. Local goods
.....A. Price
.....B. Availability
.....C. Quality

Decimal Format

1.0 Imported goods
.....1.1 Price
.....1.2 Availability
.....1.3 Quality

2.0 Imported goods
.....2.1 Price
.....2.2 Availability
.....2.3 Quality