Four Main Components for Effective Outlines
Ideally, you should follow these four suggestions to create an effective outline. The examples are taken from the
Sample Outline that follows.
Before you do anything, however, you should organize your note cards. Put them in the order that you wish to
use them in your paper.
Parallelism - How do I accomplish this?
Each heading and subheading should preserve parallel structure. If the first heading is a noun, the second
heading should be a noun. Example:
II. Choose Desired Colleges
III. Prepare Application
("Choose" and "Prepare" are both verbs.)
Coordination - How do I accomplish this?
All the information contained in Heading 1 should have the same significance as the information contained in
Heading 2. The same goes for the subheadings (which should be less significant than the headings). Example:
A. Visit and evaluate college campuses
1. Start with in-state campuses
2. Travel to out of state campuses, if necessary
B. Visit and evaluate college web sites
1. Note important statistics
2. Look for interesting classes
(Campus and web sites visits are equally significant, as are statistics and classes found on college websites.)
Subordination - How do I accomplish this?
The information in the headings should be more general, while the information in the subheadings should be
more specific. Example:
a. Describe an influential person in your life
1. Favorite high school teacher
2. Grandparent
(A favorite teacher and grandparent are specific examples of influential people.)
Division - How do I accomplish this?
Each heading should be divided into 2 or more parts. Example:
III. Compile resume
A. List relevant coursework
B. List work experience
1. babysitting
2. cashier
C. List volunteer experience
1. tutor at foreign language summer camp
2. counselor for suicide prevention hotline
(The heading "Compile resume" is divided into 3 parts.)
Sample Outline
The College Application Process
I. Introduction
A. When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the
right schools and preparing the application materials.
B. Thesis: Applying for college is a time-consuming process; therefore, one should prepare in
advance and allow plenty of time to complete each step successfully. .
II. Choose Desired College
A. Visit and evaluate college campuses
1. Start with in-state campuses
2. Travel to out of state campuses, if necessary
B. Visit and evaluate college web sites
1. Look for interesting choices
2. Note important statistics
a. student/faculty ratio
b. retention rate
III. Prepare Application
A. Write Personal Statement
1. Choose interesting topic
a. Describe an influential person in your life
1. Favorite teacher
2. Grandparent
b. Show the influence that person has had
2. Include important personal details
a. volunteer work
b. participation in varsity sports
B. Fill out application(s)
1. Determine whether or not one application can be sent to more than one college on-line
2. Compile a list of possible references
a. teachers
b. employers
IV. Compile resume
A. List relevant coursework
1. Computer Applications
2. Principles of Technology
B. List work experience
1. babysitting
2. cashier
C. List volunteer experience
1. tutor at foreign language summer camp
2. counselor for suicide prevention hotline
V. Conclusion
A. Many students procrastinate in their junior and senior years, thinking they have plenty of time
to apply.
B. The application process is multi-faceted; devoting one’s time and energy to it could result in a
more favorable outcome.
Please remember that the Roman Numerals represent SECTIONS of your paper, not
paragraphs. This is NOT a five paragraph essay. The capital letters in each section
represent your paragraphs.