Traditional Outlining

A sample outline. Accessible version below. In many of your courses, you’ll be asked to write a traditional, thesis-based research essay. In this structure, you provide a thesis, usually at the end of your introduction, body paragraphs that support your thesis with research, and a conclusion to emphasize the key points of your research paper. You’ll likely encounter this type of assignment in classes in the humanities, but you may also be asked to write a traditional research paper in business classes and some introductory courses in the sciences and social sciences.

In the sample on this page, you’ll see a basic structure that can be modified to fit the length of your assignment. It’s important to note, in shorter research essays, each point of your outline might correspond to a single paragraph, but in longer research papers, you might develop each supporting point over several paragraphs.

The lines on a traditional outline follow this progression:

  • Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc)
  • Capital letters (A, B, C, etc)
  • Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc)
  • Lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc)
  • Lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc)

It’s good to get into the habit of using the common outline formatting, especially for work that’s going to be turned in or shared with others. However, for outlines that are meant solely for personal use, writers should feel free to adapt the format in whatever ways help them stay organized.

To get started with a traditional outline, you can download our sample here: OWL Outline

Expand For Accessible Image Text
The following text is the outline pictured on this page. Note that every progression of line level (from Roman numeral to capital letters, from capital letters to numbers, etc) is indented a quarter inch more than the one before it.

Traditional Outline Structure
I. Introduction

A. Background, context for topic

B. Transition to thesis

C. Thesis statement

II. First Supporting Point

A. Supporting detail

1. Example

a. Source

B. Supporting detail

1. Example

a. Counter-argument to address

b. Source

C. Supporting detail

1. Example

a. Source

III. Second Supporting Point

A. Support

1. Example

a. Source

IV. Third Supporting Point

A. Support

1. Example

a. Source

V. Conclusion

A. Review central ideas presented in body and make connection to thesis

B. Transition to closing thoughts

C. Closing thoughts

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