Vanderburg Outline Expectation
1. Put your name at the top of the first page of paper.
2. At the top, below your name, write the chapter number and chapter title.
3. Use Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.) to denote a MAIN IDEA. Any text that is large font, stand-alone as
if it were a subheading, and/or in a different color should be treated as a MAIN IDEA.
4. Use capital letters to represent SUPPORTING EVIDENCE. For each main idea, you must have at least 3
pieces of supporting evidence. Whatever you choose to write for each piece of supporting evidence
must be in your own words, not plagiarized out of the textbook. Additionally, your supporting evidence
should help support the main idea. You can have more than 3 pieces of supporting evidence per main
idea, and it is strongly encouraged for lengthy segments of text. Hints: Any called-out or bold/italicized
vocabulary terms are usually easy pieces of supporting evidence.
5. Unless instructed otherwise ahead of time, you do not have to include images in the outline. If you
have to, then you will add it with a roman numeral and include these three pieces of information: a)
name/title of image, b) description of what it is showing, and c) your explanation of its importance.
6. When you have finished outlining, you will write three REVIEW QUESTIONS in the margins. Write the
review question next to where the answer can be found in your outline.
7. On the last page only, you will include a SUMMARY that consists of at least 5 sentences that gives a
synopsis of the entire chapter and its significance.
Sample from an Outline
IV. SETTLING THE CAROLINAS
A. Supporting Evidence #1
B. Supporting Evidence #2
C. Supporting Evidence #3
V. THE CAROLINAS
A. Supporting Evidence #1
B. Supporting Evidence #2
C. Supporting Evidence #3
Note: “Settling the Carolinas” has been identified as a MAIN
IDEA with a Roman numeral because it is a stand-alone
subtitle in large colored font.
“The Carolinas” is also identified as a MAIN IDEA with a
Roman numeral because it is in a bold colored font.
Each MAIN IDEA would include three pieces of supporting
evidence.
Primary Source Journal Entries
Use the following form for any primary source documents that you are required to analyze.
1. DATE(S) OF DOCUMENT:
2. AUTHOR (OR CREATOR) OF THE DOCUMENT:
3. POSITION (TITLE):
4. FOR WHAT AUDIENCE WAS THE DOCUMENT WRITTEN?
5. DOCUMENT INFORMATION (There are many possible ways to answer A-E.)
A. List three things the author said that you think are important:
B. Why do you think this document was written?
C. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written? Quote from the document.
D. List two things the document tells you about life in the United States at the time it was written.
E. Write a question to the author that is left unanswered by the document: